Employers who generate medical and hazardous waste must provide training to employees on appropriate management and disposal of the wastes. This checklist has the essential training elements. Sample written plans for management of these wastes are available.

Medical Waste

Every employee should be:

• Informed of the name of the person responsible for medical waste management in the practice.
• Instructed on the types of medical waste (biohazardous, sharps, pharmaceutical) and on proper management of all regulated medical waste. Refer to the practice’s written medical waste management plan.
• Instructed on the location of medical waste containers.
• Instructed not to place recognizable human tissues into solid waste containers.
• Instructed not to place hazardous wastes, universal wastes or recyclable metals into medical waste containers (for example, teeth with dental amalgam should not be placed into medical waste containers).

Hazardous and Universal Wastes

Every employee should be:

• Informed of the name of the person responsible for hazardous and universal waste management in the practice.
• Instructed on the types of hazardous and universal wastes in the practice and on its proper management. Refer to Hazardous Waste Management and Disposal Plan.
• Instructed on the purpose of the amalgam separator if one is used in the practice. If assigned to maintain the equipment, employee should be instructed on equipment maintenance per manufacturer’s instructions and on the management of the captured waste.
• Instructed on the location of hazardous waste and universal waste containers.
• Instructed on the location and use of chemical spill kits.
• Instructed not to place hazardous waste down the drain.
• Instructed not to place hazardous wastes, universal wastes or recyclable metals into medical waste containers (for example, teeth with dental amalgam should not be placed into medical waste containers).