Safety Legislation

Introduction

Understanding the potential threat of fire and its consequences on a demanding healthcare environment, Wybone looked to design a product that provided the functionality expected from a waste management solution while embracing 'Health Technical Memorandum 83' legislation on fire prevention.

Following extensive testing with the Warrington Fire Research Centre the Wybone 'Fire Retardant' sackholder was developed, offering healthcare facilities the opportunity to safeguard against fire and its devastating effects.

WRCSI No. 22442

Examination of the sackholder indicates that it complies with the above requirement in that the sack is completely housed in a fire resisting enclosure with a well-fitting self-closing metal lid.

The tests have confirmed that the sackholder will perform satisfactorily when it is subject to a typical internal fire.

Extract - British Board of Agrément Cert. Detail Sheet 3

The Plastisol HP200 body meets BS 476: Part 6 Spread of Flame and therefore meets "Class O" building regulations. It also gives an excellent barrier against corrosion, knocks and abrasion.

Segregation

Ever mindful of the audit commissions report'Getting Sorted', NHS Trusts are now eager to reduce disposable Clinical Waste costs to an average of 0.5 tonnes per occupied bed per annum, as outlined in the report.

With this objective in mind, the commissions question of methods to increase the segregation of clinical and domestic waste into the correct waste streams. This can be addressed with Wybone Sackholder products resulting in a significant cost reduction. The strategic placement of both Domestic (Black Sackholders) and Clinical (Yellow Sackholders) waste facilities has proved to be a successful starting point for most NHS Trusts, particularly when combined with on-site awareness training amongst personnel.

The renowned Wybone Sackholder range is now fully colour coded to conform with the guide lines of the 'Duty of Care' legislation which outlines both the Trusts and individuals responsibility to ensure that 'best practice' is enforced. The added benefit of the colour coded Wybone range has been met with successful results at facilities such as Guy's and St Thomas, Royal Hospital and University Hospital NHS Trusts.

All of these three NHS Trusts are now equipped with Colour Coded Wybone 'Hands-Free' Sackholder units.

The re-equipping of hospital sites in most cases is a self funding exercise, as substantial reductions in expensive Clinical Waste disposal can fund the introduction of new units, whilst also ensuring compliance with both 'Duty of Care' and 'HTM83' legislation.