Hiring a reputable medical waste company won’t just keep your employees and patients safe — it’ll also protect your company from fines. That’s because the best medical waste disposal companies will be your partner in compliance.
Cleaning services and waste disposal have become complex and specialized due to numerous state and federal laws. You want to be sure that your medical waste contractor strictly adheres to all guidelines and regulations to avoid problems. If authorities discover that your waste contractor has been negligent, you could also be held liable.
Another important thing to consider is the company’s level of expertise with biomedical waste solutions. You wouldn’t want a massive spill or any contamination incidents involving this type of waste.
And remember that just because a waste disposal company is widely known doesn’t mean it’s reputable. There are also significant differences between a trash collection company and a medical waste service provider. So how can you choose the right one? Here are four common characteristics of a reputable medical waste company.
1. A reputable medical waste company performs several inspections and presents a plan before proposing a contract.
If a waste contractor wants you to sign an agreement the next day, you should walk away. Good waste companies understand that each business is different, and a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work.
Reputable companies first conduct several inspections of the site and present a waste management plan before stating the price and
offering the contract. It’s best to choose waste service companies that offer customized programs.
2. A trusted provider makes sure the quoted price is all-inclusive.
Many medical waste companies charge extra fees (in addition to monthly fees) that can add up to several times more than the original quote. Some include charges for things like fuel, labeled containers, unscheduled pickups and the collection of extra waste.
With an all-inclusive bill, on the other hand, the fees for things like fuel, mileage, documentation and environmental services are included in the monthly fee
as stated in the contract. If your waste contractor suddenly sends you a large bill that isn’t stipulated anywhere in the service contract, you should consider
switching to a more honest provider.
3. A reputable company offers flexible scheduling and pickups.
What happens when you need service on non-collection days? Many waste disposal companies state specifically in their contracts that they will not collect beyond their collection days. If they do, they tend to charge unreasonably high fees that make you feel like an inconvenience, rather than a paying customer who needs quality service.
Avoid high costs for disposal on non-collection days by choosing a contractor that allows for on-call collection and disposal without excessive fees.
4. A top medical waste company complies with environmental and safety laws when collecting waste.
There are
laws mandating that medical waste collectors must have liability insurance, vehicle insurance, specialized training for collectors and dedicated vehicles. If your waste collector puts medical waste inside a generic-looking pickup truck driven by a driver that appears fresh from driving school, think twice.
Medical waste collectors must use a dedicated truck modified specifically for waste collection. The collectors and driver must be trained and certified for medical waste management, and each vehicle must be insured. Medical waste should never be collected or transported using a passenger car or pickup truck.
Follow These Tips to Stay Free from Headaches
These tips can help you find a reliable and responsible medical waste service contractor that will meet your needs. Using a top medical waste disposal company means fewer costs and peace of mind.