The Role of Healthcare Workers in Safe Medical Waste Segregation: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Safe medical waste segregation depends on the everyday decisions of healthcare workers at the point of generation. Although most healthcare waste is non-hazardous, poor segregation can mix general waste with infectious, sharps, pharmaceutical, chemical and other hazardous materials, increasing occupational risk, treatment costs and environmental harm. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the role of physicians, nurses, laboratory staff, waste handlers, cleaners and support workers in safe medical waste segregation. Published studies and authoritative guidance were reviewed with emphasis on knowledge, attitudes and practices, training interventions, colour-coded segregation systems, sharps management, supervision, infrastructure barriers and links with infection prevention. The reviewed evidence indicates that knowledge alone does not ensure safe practice. Compliance improves when training is practical, repeated, role-specific and reinforced by visible containers, clear labels, adequate personal protective equipment, routine audits and feedback. A recurring gap is the limited inclusion of cleaning and waste-handling staff in structured training, despite their high exposure during collection and internal transport. Safe segregation should therefore be treated as a shared infection-control and occupational-safety responsibility rather than a housekeeping task. Hospitals should integrate waste segregation into orientation, continuing education, ward level audits and safety indicators.