Healthcare waste management involves the safe segregation, collection, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste generated in hospitals, clinics, laboratories, blood banks, nursing homes, vaccination centres and other healthcare facilities. Improper management of healthcare waste can cause accidents that affect healthcare workers, patients, waste handlers, visitors, the public and the environment. These accidents may be classified broadly as major and minor accidents according to their severity, the extent of injury, the quantity and type of waste involved, and the potential for infection or environmental contamination. Major accidents are those that cause serious injury, exposure to dangerous infectious material, poisoning, fire, explosions, significant environmental contamination or multiple casualties. One of the most important major accidents in healthcare waste management is a serious needle-stick or sharps injury. Used needles, scalpels, blades, broken glass and other sharp objects may transmit blood-borne infections when they are improperly discarded. A waste handler may accidentally pick up an exposed needle while collecting waste, or a healthcare worker may be injured while attempting to recap or dispose of a needle. Such injuries can result in exposure to pathogens such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and HIV. Another major accident is the accidental spillage or leakage of highly infectious healthcare waste. Waste contaminated with blood, body fluids, tissues, laboratory cultures or other infectious materials can spread microorganisms when containers are damaged, overloaded or improperly closed. If a large quantity of infectious waste is released in a hospital area, several workers or patients may be exposed. Failure to isolate and disinfect the affected area can further increase the risk of infection. Accidents involving hazardous chemicals are also major incidents. Healthcare institutions use disinfectants, sterilising agents, laboratory chemicals, formaldehyde, solvents and other hazardous substances. Incorrect storage, mixing of incompatible chemicals, damaged containers or careless handling may cause chemical burns, toxic fumes, poisoning or respiratory problems. For example, accidental mixing of certain cleaning chemicals can produce dangerous gases. A chemical spill in a poorly ventilated area can affect several people and may require evacuation. Fire is another serious accident associated with healthcare waste. Some healthcare waste contains flammable materials such as alcohol-based products, solvents, plastics and chemical substances. Improper storage, electrical faults, smoking near waste storage areas, or inappropriate incineration practices may initiate a fire. A fire in a healthcare waste storage room can spread rapidly because of the presence