Courses · Work Health & Safety
Waste Management in Disability Support
Handle and dispose of general, clinical, sharps, pharmaceutical and hazardous waste safely — and what to do after a needlestick or body-fluid exposure.
About this certificate
This is a non-accredited professional development module and the Certificate of Completion is not a Statement of Attainment. Waste disposal requirements vary between states, territories and local councils; always follow your employer's procedures and the rules of the local area.
About this module
Support workers handle continence waste, soiled linen, used dressings, sharps, unused medication and cleaning chemicals every week. This module covers the categories of waste, the colour coding used in Australian healthcare, safe handling of continence products and soiled laundry, sharps safety and needlestick injury response, returning unwanted medicines, chemical safety and Safety Data Sheets, and reducing waste while respecting a participant's home and choices.
Who it is for
All support workers, SIL and group home staff, and anyone handling continence care, dressings, sharps or medication.
What you will be able to do
- Identify general, clinical, sharps, pharmaceutical and hazardous waste
- Handle continence waste and soiled linen safely
- Dispose of sharps safely and respond to a needlestick injury
- Return unwanted medicines appropriately
- Use and store chemicals safely using Safety Data Sheets
Aligned to
- Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (NHMRC)
- Work Health and Safety (Hazardous Chemicals) regulations
- NDIS Practice Standards — Management of Medication; Provision of Supports Environment
Lesson plan
What the module covers
| # | Lesson | What it covers | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Types of waste and how to handle them | Categories, colours, and continence waste in a home setting. | 9m |
| 02 | Sharps, needlestick injuries and medicines | The most dangerous waste you will handle. | 9m |
| 03 | Chemicals, Safety Data Sheets and reducing waste | Using cleaning products safely, and respecting the home. | 7m |
| ✓ | Final assessment | 10 scenario-based questions · pass mark 80% · unlimited attempts | ~15m |
Also in Work Health & Safety
Manual Handling
Protect your back and your participant's dignity — hazard assessment, transfer technique, hoists and slings, falls, and the lifts that must never be used.
Keeping Safe at Work
Your rights and duties under WHS law, how to identify and control hazards in a participant's home, working alone, fatigue, driving, and reporting injuries and near misses.
Fire Safety
Prevent fires in homes and group settings, respond with RACE, choose the right extinguisher, and evacuate people who cannot evacuate themselves.