Objectives

The primary objective is to ensure the safe, compliant, and efficient daily collection and internal transport of Health Care Risk Waste (HCRW) from hospital wards and departments to the designated central storage area for subsequent authorised disposal and treatment.

Scope of Work

• Collect HCRW, including infectious waste, sharps, mattresses, and other facility waste, using approved trolleys and wheelie bins.
• Transport waste to the central storage area twice daily (morning and afternoon).
• Maintain cleanliness of all collection trolleys and the central storage area.
• Distribute clean waste receptacles to all departments on a daily basis.
• Complete and maintain daily collection records in sluice areas, ensuring signatures from both collectors and ward representatives.
• Provide relief staff to cover weekday shifts during absences.
• Operate within specified shift hours: 07:00–16:00 on weekdays and public holidays, and 07:30–12:00 on weekends.

Technical Requirements

• Staffing: Deploy four (4) personnel for weekdays/public holidays, three (3) for weekends, with available relief staff for weekday coverage.
• PPE & Health: Supply full personal protective equipment (overall, heavy-duty gloves, disposable masks, aprons, safety shoes) and ensure all employees receive Hepatitis B and Tetanus immunisations prior to deployment.
• Equipment: Provide suitable waste collection trolleys, wheelie bins, or alternative equipment as operationally required.
• Regulatory Compliance: Strictly adhere to the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA), SANS 10248, and applicable municipal by-laws.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate daily collection logs and ensure proper handover procedures between collectors and departmental staff.

Skills and Competency Requirements

• Proven experience in healthcare or biomedical waste handling and internal logistics.
• Working knowledge of occupational health and safety standards specific to clinical environments.
• Ability to follow strict infection control protocols and handle hazardous materials safely.
• Strong attention to detail for accurate record-keeping and signature verification.
• Physical fitness and reliability to perform manual waste collection tasks within fixed shift schedules.
• Understanding of regulatory frameworks governing biomedical waste management and chain-of-custody documentation.

Key Terminology Explanation

• Health Care Risk Waste (HCRW): Biological, chemical, or sharps waste generated in healthcare facilities that poses a risk of infection, injury, or toxicity, requiring specialised handling, segregation, and disposal.
• SANS 10248: South African National Standard outlining procedures for the classification, packaging, labelling, and transportation of hazardous waste, ensuring environmental protection and worker safety.
• COIDA: Legislation mandating employer compensation coverage for workplace injuries and diseases, critical for staff safety compliance and legal protection.
• Central Storage Area: A secure, temporary holding zone within the facility where collected hazardous waste is stored under controlled conditions prior to authorised external disposal or incineration.