Infection prevention and control: Guideline for speech pathologists, Version 1,2020.

5.0

5.7 Waste Management The management of clinical and general waste is regulated and legislated by individual states and territories in Australia. Refer to the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association Australia industry code of practice (https://www.wmrr.asn.au/) and Standard AS/NZ 3816:2018 ( https://www.standards.org.au/standards-catalogue/sa-snz/health/he-011/as--3816-colon-2018 ) for more information. When handling waste it is important to: • Apply standard precautions • Practice hand hygiene after handling waste • Segregate waste at the point of generation • Contain waste appropriately (i.e. different receptacles for different waste) • Dispose of the waste appropriately. Always consult the latest advice and adhere to workplace policy when disposing of any waste. General disposal guidance that may assist in practice includes: • Unless contaminated, dispose of items (e.g., masks, gloves, wipes) with the general waste, preferably with a closed bin (fitted lid) • If contamination is suspected or confirmed, the designated bin should have two liners and a closed lid. When a closed bin lid or double bin liner is not available, place item/s in a sealed bag before disposal. 58

Checklist J: Waste management

Action Required/ Evidence

Yes No

Do you have a practice waste management plan?

Are you abiding by your relevant state or territory regulations for waste management? Are you complying with Standard AS/NZS 3816: 2018? Are your waste management practices in accordance with the Waste Management Association of Australia’s industry code of practice? Do you have functional and identifiable (with signs/co - lours) waste collection containers and/or bins, for general waste and clinical waste, in close proximity to all waste generation points?

5.8 Handling of Clothing and Linen Appropriate handling and laundering of linen and clothing (including clothing accessories, e.g., a necktie) is important to minimise the dispersal of infectious agents (e.g., potentially pathogenic organisms and/or skin scales) into the environment. 59 The infectious agents from body substances

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Infection Prevention and Control - Guideline for Speech Pathologists | Version 1, 2020