Medical Waste Disposal Requirements In South Africa

Medical waste basically comprises of wastes generated in the hospitals, laboratories, dental clinics, optic clinics and diagnostic centers, and what have you. Also, this waste can be harmful to humans if not properly disposed.

1. Carry out Your Feasibility Studies

There are a lot of things you need to know before starting your own medical disposal company. Parts of what you need to know are the laws regulating the medical waste industry, the type of insurance cover needed (liability insurance), the competitors you are likely to contend with in your city, the numbers of hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, diagnostic centers, labs, dental clinics et al in the city you intend starting your own medical waste disposal company, and the required training you should undergo.

If you are well informed of the industry you want establish a business, it will make it much easier for you start the business and build it to profitability.

2. Acquire Training

It is important that as the owner of the medical waste disposal company that you acquire the required training to be able to operate this type of business. You can relate with the public health department of your country to know all the available trainings required for those involved in medical waste disposal. You are likely going to be trained on solid Waste Management, hazardous waste management, and disinfection and safety procedures.

3. Register Your Business

Of course, you can’t operate a medical waste disposal company without registering the company with the government of your country. As a matter of fact, the medical waste disposal company is amongst the businesses that are highly regulated by the public health department of a country because of the hazardous nature of the industry. Hence, ensure that you contact your lawyer to help you with the registering of your company as fast as you can so that you will be able to apply for all the necessary permits and license.

4. Acquire All Necessary Permits and License

Establishing a medical waste disposal company means that you are to apply to both federal and state government, to obtain all the necessary permits and licenses needed to function as a medical waste disposal company. You would need a solid waste permit, hazardous waste transporter permit, and you would also need approval for your waste processing plant. So, if you are building or acquiring a waste plant, ensure that it is suitable for the purpose you want to use it for, or else you won’t get approval from the public health team that will inspect it.

5. Choose a Good Location for Your Medical Waste Processing Plant

Your choice of location for establishing your plant must be approved by the public health department of your country before you can obtain permission to go ahead to build the plant. So, when shopping for a location, ensure that it is a place designated for the establishment of such company.

If you don’t have the financial capacity to build a new plant, then you should look for old ones to acquire. The most important thing is to ensure that you equip your plant with standard incineration, steam sterilizers, radiation detection devices et al.

6. Employ and Train Your Staffs

Running a medical waste disposal company is not one of those companies that you can run alone. You would need some couple of employees to work with you. Just ensure that you give your employees the required training for them to be able to work in the medical waste disposal business.

7. Source for Contracts

Now that you have put all things in place, then the next step you need to follow is to print your marketing materials and then approach hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers, dental clinics, nursing homes, dialysis centers, and labs to sell your service to them. The truth is that if you are able to secure more than 5 contracts within the first 3 months of starting your company, then you are likely going to break even within the first year of starting your company.

Lastly, it is important to note that all the permits and license you obtained are subjected to renewal and they can be revoked if you are found wanting. Therefore, ensure that all your workers and drivers inclusive are trained and even re – trained to meet the demand of the medical waste disposal industry.

The success of your medical waste disposal company will be determined by your operational and marketing strategies; that is why you must endeavor to hire best brains to help you come up with winning strategies to run your business.

How do I start a medical waste disposal in South Africa?

Starting a Medical Waste Disposal Company – Sample Business Plan Template

  1. Carry out Your Feasibility Studies.
  2. Acquire Training.
  3. Register Your Business.
  4. Acquire All Necessary Permits and License.
  5. Choose a Good Location for Your Medical Waste Processing Plant.
  6. Employ and Train Your Staffs.
  7. Source for Contracts.