Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:17 AM AWST

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Handle waste in a health care environment

Handle waste in a health care environment

Unit of competency
National Code
HLTMS208D
State Code
WD193
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
07/05/2012
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
30/07/2012
Field of Education
089901 - Purchasing, Warehousing And Distribution
Original Release Date
30/07/2012
Nominal Hours
30
Description
DescriptorThis unit describes the skills and knowledge required to handle waste in a safe manner within the health care environment
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Determine job requirements
  • 1.1 Review work sheets to determine waste handling requirements
  • 1.2 Select and obtain appropriate equipment required for waste handling tasks to maximise work effectiveness and efficiency
  • 1.3 Organise and set up work areas to ensure safe, effective and efficient handling of waste in accordance with workplace requirements and relevant legislation
  • 1.4 Identify and manage potential risks and hazards to work according to job requirements, in accordance with workplace requirements, work health and safety (WHS), infection control and other relevant legislation
  • 1.5 Follow workplace procedures for reporting identified risks
  • 1.6 Select and fit emergency and personal protective equipment in accordance with job requirements, manufacturers' specifications, workplace requirements and relevant legislation
2. Identify and segregate waste
  • 2.1 Clearly identify and handle hazardous, dangerous and non-conforming waste in accordance with workplace policies and procedures as well as relevant legislation
  • 2.2 Accurately identify, label and segregate all waste according to waste types in accordance with workplace policies and procedures and relevant legislation
  • 2.3 Carefully place all sorted waste into correct waste category containers to prevent litter in work areas and avoid cross contamination
  • 2.4 Frequently monitor waste containers to ensure adequate available containers and to secure containment of waste
  • 2.5 Empty or replace full waste containers promptly to minimise disruption to the workplace, in accordance with policies and procedures and job requirements
  • 2.6 Clearly label segregated waste in accordance with job requirements, workplace policies and procedures and relevant legislation
3. Transport and store waste appropriately
  • 3.1 Select appropriate transport equipment for waste transport activities to maximise work effectiveness and efficiency and in accordance with workplace policies and procedure and relevant legislation
  • 3.2 Colour code and label all transport equipment in accordance with workplace policies and procedures and relevant legislation
  • 3.3 Ensure that transport loads are secured and not overloaded according to workplace requirements and relevant legislation
  • 3.4 Perform waste collection rounds as often as required to minimize waste overflow hazards
  • 3.5 Enclose and secure storage areas in accordance with workplace requirement and relevant legislation
  • 3.6 Ensure that waste types are stored in accordance with relevant legislation and workplace requirements
4. Conduct quality control activities
  • 4.1 Inspect and check waste to ensure that it is placed in the correct waste receptacle
  • 4.2 Inspect storage areas and check they are secured in accordance with workplace requirements and relevant legislation
  • 4.3 Ensure all details of quality control activities are documented accurately and promptly in accordance with workplace requirements and relevant legislation
5. Clean up work areas
  • 5.1 Clean waste storage sites and all equipment to ensure safe and effective future operation in accordance with company requirements
  • 5.2 Dispose of waste from cleaning activities in accordance with workplace requirements, council requirements and relevant legislation
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.


Health care sites include:
Hospitals
Nursing homes
Clinics
Community settings
Home settings


Waste categories include:
Clinical waste
Body fluids, blood, suctioned fluids, excretions
Sharps
Cytotoxic waste
Pharmaceutical waste
Chemical waste
Radioactive waste
Organic products
Liquid waste
General waste


Equipment includes, but is not limited to:
Barriers and warning signs
Spill kits
Mobile garbage bins and trolleys
Appropriate waste containers


Potential risks and hazards include, but are not limited to:
Risks and hazards that could lead to injury or illness of employees, contractors, visitors or the public
Damage to plant, vehicles or property
Harm to the environment
Manual handling
Contamination
Compaction equipment
Gases and fumes
Hazardous waste eg sharps


Emergency and personal protective equipment may include:
Gloves
Overalls and protective clothing
Eye protection
Appropriate footwear
Fire extinguisher
First aid kit
Spill kit
Emergency procedures guide
Material safety data sheet information
Breathing apparatus
Face shield or mask
Hearing protection


Waste characteristics include:
Waste streams
Waste types
Waste generation
Disposal methods
Recycling
Reuse
Contamination


Cleaning could include:
Shovelling
Sweeping out
Vacuuming
Use of decontamination products
Water hosing
Cleaning products/fluids


Supervisor may be:
Nominated personnel
WHS Representative


Work instructions may be:
Given verbally
Written
In English
In community language
Provided visually on video, instructions sheets


Workplace procedures may include:
Cleaning procedures
Quality activities
Team meetings
Incident notification
Work performance requirements
Infection control practices
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations relevant to an identified work role.


Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions
Reassessment to accommodate changing workplace requirements and in accordance with the policies of the organisation
Resources for assessment may include access to materials and space as required to demonstrate competence, such as:
waste collection requirements
waste management plans
range of wastes for identification and handling
workplace policies and procedures
WHS requirements
personal protective equipment
equipment for waste handling


Consistency in performance:
Assessment may include observations, questioning and evidence gathered from the workplace environment
Assessment may require a variety of sites and waste characteristics that reflect different needs within the work environment
Assessment may be conducted on one occasion but should include normal range of workplace activities
Regular assessment of manual handling implications should be carried out on all tasks, particularly when:
introduced
changed
new personnel are inducted


Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
D8333 HLTMS208C Handle waste in a health care environment Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
AVZ71 HLTHSS003 Perform general cleaning tasks in a clinical setting Unit of competency