Improper medical waste disposal can be harmful in many ways. Its effects are far-reaching and hazardous to countless others with chemical and/or biological contamination. In addition to the negative effects on human beings, it also hurts the environment when contamination seeps into the soil, waterways, and atmosphere. Improper medical waste disposal can be
damaging to your health and business in more ways than one.
What Is Improper Disposal of Medical Waste?
Improper disposal of medical waste is any disposal method contrary to what your Medical Waste Disposal Plan (MWDP) outlines. If you work for, or run a business that generates medical waste, you should have a clear MWDP. Every employee at your site should understand the procedures within and have free access to it for reference.
How Much Could It Possibly Cost?
Let’s be realistic, improper disposal could cost lives. The dangers can be anything from contracting an incurable disease to death itself. Many of the hazards medical waste poses are easily preventable, as long as it’s handled appropriately. You can’t assign a monetary value to practices that safeguard human life. Ignorance or negligence are not excuses to cut corners, especially when the stakes are so high.
If loss of life or serious infection aren’t enough to convince you, the fines established by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) for violating medical waste disposal regulations might be. The RCRA Civil Penalty Policy shows the method for determining penalties, which are severe. Section XI provides several possible scenarios. Fines can range from a few thousand dollars to a few million.
Improper disposal of medical waste is likely to lead to closing your doors. Not many companies are equipped to face fines in the hundreds of thousands, or millions of dollars. Smaller businesses would likely be devastated by even minor infractions. Even if the fines aren’t fatal, public sentiment isn’t going to side with you. Negative public perception regarding such serious matters is enough to drive business elsewhere. Most individuals want to work with conscientious companies that are doing their best to mitigate damage to people’s health and the environment. Even a single violation of the RCRA is enough to drive business and profits into the negative.
If those costs still haven’t gotten your attention, consider this: fines are only one possible penalty under the RCRA. Criminal penalties may also be levied, and you could face from 2 to 15 years in prison per offense if convicted.
Don’t Pay the Cost For Improper Disposal Of Medical Waste.
Complying with RCRA regulations isn’t as difficult as you might think. In fact, good practices with medical waste disposal could even bolster your business. Someone from Medical Waste Services, LLC is just a phone call away . We would be happy to answer all your questions and get you on the road to compliance. To get started, simply fill out the contact form, or give Medical Waste Services, LLC a call at (866)-355-7094, and we will help you through the next steps!