**A. Risks of infection by HCW within the healthcare institutes**

The most common and most investigated cause of the microbiological risks associated with HCW are injuries due to needles of sharps waste [21]. For example, according to the results of a questionnaire survey of HCW workers engaged in Palestine, 32% inhospital workers and 27% SWM workers experienced some kind of infectious waste accident when the HCW management system had not been established and the staff training had not been given [22]. According to the CDC guideline [23], a leak-resistant biohazard bag is usually adequate for containment of infectious wastes, and puncture-resistant

#### **Figure 5.**

*HCW management and the concept of 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, recycle).*

*Technical Cooperation for Enhancing Infectious Healthcare Waste Management DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.102604*

#### **Figure 6.**

*Causal linkage of problems and risks in hazardous HCW management often observed in developing countries. White boxes show a series of problems in HCW management and the colored boxes indicate the risks.*

containers located at the point of use are set as containment for discarded tubes with small amounts of blood, scalpel blades, needles & syringes, and other sharps.

## **B. Occupational risks for waste management workers**

The impact of hazardous HCW in developing countries is very likely to pose a great occupational risk to general SWM workers and the public outside healthcare institutes due to inadequate practices of SWM and personal protection for workers themselves. In addition, the hazards posed by HCW may be more significant due to the limited availability of immunization against infectious diseases. The distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, facemask, and disinfectant, is effective to prevent accidental infections together with periodical guidance and training.
