Abstract

JUNCO DIAZ, Raquel de los A; MARTINEZ HERNANDEZ, Geovando  and  LUNA MARTINEZ, María Victoria. Seguridad ocupacional en el manejo de los desechos peligrosos en instituciones de salud. Rev Cubana Hig Epidemiol [online]. 2003, vol.41, n.1. ISSN 0253-1751.

The dangerous waste from health institutions are an important risk factor for the personnel handling it and, at the same time, contribute to the deterioration of environment. In this paper, it was made a review of the occupational risks and of the personnel associated with the management of the dangerous waste. The adequate practices and other handling techniques allowing the reduction of such risks were analyzed, so that workers may protect their health and do their work with higher efficiency. An analysis was made of the legislation existing in the country to guarantee the protection and safety of workers during the management of the dangerous waste from health institutions. It was demonstrtated that it is still insufficient and that it expresses in a very general way the obligations for the protection and safety of the workers.

Keywords : OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE; MEDICAL WASTE [adverse effects]; MEDICAL WASTE DISPOSAL; ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION; OCCUPATIONAL RISK; OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH..