The Ohio State University Office of Environmental Health Safety 292-1284

1. 1 The Ohio State University Office of Environmental Health & Safety292-1284

2. 2 Introduction Generation, handling, packaging, storage, transportation, and treatment of infectious waste in the State of Ohio is regulated by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA). The Ohio State University is registered with the OEPA as a large quantity generator of infectious waste. All researchers at OSU who generate infectious waste must handle, package, and dispose of infectious waste in accordance with Infection Waste Regulations (Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3745-27). This training is intended to help researchers: Identify materials that are considered infectious waste Comply with applicable infectious waste regulations

3. 3 Cultures and stocks of infectious agents and associated biologicals, including without limitation: specimen cultures cultures & stocks of infectious agents wastes from production of biologicals discarded live & attenuated vaccines Laboratory wastes that were, or are likely to have been, in contact with infectious agents that may present a substantial threat to public health if improperly managed Pathological wastes from humans and animals (provided animals have or are likely to have been exposed to a zoonotic or infectious agent), including without limitation tissues, organs, body parts, body fluids and excreta that are contaminated with or are likely to be contaminated with infectious agents

4. 4 Waste materials from the rooms of humans, or the enclosures of animals that have been isolated due to diagnosis of communicable disease that is likely to transmit infectious agents. This includes waste materials from the rooms of patients who have been placed on blood and body fluid precautions under the universal precaution system established by the Centers for Disease Control if the waste presents a substantial threat to human health when improperly managed. Human and animal blood specimens and blood products that are being disposed of, provided that, with regard to blood specimens and blood products from animals, the animals were or are likely to have been exposed to a zoonotic or infectious agent. Note: Blood products does not include patient care waste such as bandages or disposable gowns that are lightly soiled with blood or other body fluids, unless such wastes are soiled to the extent that the generator of the wastes determines that they should be managed as infectious waste. (Continued) The following items are infectious waste:

5. 5 Contaminated carcasses, body parts, and bedding of animals that were intentionally exposed to infectious agents associated with zoonotic or human diseases Carcasses and bedding of animals otherwise infected by zoonotic or infectious agents that may present a threat to public health if improperly managed Sharp infectious waste used in the treatment, diagnosis, or inoculation of human beings or animals or that have, or are likely to have, come in contact with infectious agents including, but not limited to: hypodermic needles and syringes scalpel blades glass articles that have been broken The following items are infectious waste:

6. 6 Any other waste materials generated in the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals, in research pertaining thereto, or in the production of or testing of biologicals, that presents a substantial threat to human health when improperly managed because of contamination with, or the likelihood of contamination with, infectious agents. Infectious waste also includes any other waste materials that the generator designates as infectious waste. A generator of infectious waste may designate and manage other waste materials as infectious waste when the generator deems it is appropriate because the waste is, or is likely to be, contaminated with infectious agents. However, non-infectious materials that a generator places in an infectious waste container (e.g. biohazard bag & burn box), must be handled and disposed of as infectious waste. The following items are infectious waste:

7. 7 The universal biohazard warning label is required on: All containers of biohazardous materials Infectious waste containers Refrigerators, freezers, or other equipment used to store biohazardous materials Doors/areas where biohazards are used or where infectious waste is stored In some cases, red bags or containers can substitute labels Universal Biohazard Warning Labels

8. 8 Identify and segregate infectious waste from non-infectious waste at the point of generation. Properly package infectious waste at the generation site. Do not transport infectious waste on roadways. Infectious waste will be picked up at the site of generation and transported by the Office of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS). Train personnel Prepare & implement spill and containment plans Maintain infectious waste in a non-putrescent state (using refrigeration or freezing as necessary) and in a manner that prevents pests from accessing waste. Contact EHS for pick-up of infectious waste: Request via phone: @ 292-1284 Request online: www.ehs.ohio-state.edu Do not treat infectious waste (to render it non-infectious waste) unless you have registered with EHS & comply with OEPA standards for the operation of infectious waste treatment facilities. Contact EHS @ 292-1284 for additional information. Infectious waste disposal service for OSU Hospitals is provided by the Medical Center Environmental Services Department. Responsibilities of Infectious Waste Generators

9. 9 Generators of infectious waste must use, at a minimum, the following packing materials that are provided by EHS at no cost to the generator: Red biohazard bags Biohazard shipping (burn) boxes In addition to the above items, generators of infectious waste sharps must purchase sharps disposal containers (available through OSU Stores). For some wastes, generators need to initially collect infectious waste in containers (e.g. sharps disposal containers or sealed containers for liquid waste) prior to placement in a biohazard bag provided by EHS . All containers used to collect infectious waste must be labeled with a universal biohazard symbol. Containers must be placed inside a red biohazard bag before being placed in a biohazard (burn) box. Liquid or semi-liquid infectious waste must be packaged in a manner that prevents leakage of materials. Do not drop, manage, or transfer containers holding infectious waste in a manner that will cause damage to the bag or container. Infectious Waste Packaging Materials

10. 10 Sharp infectious waste is sharp waste used in the treatment, diagnosis, or inoculation of human beings or animals or that have, or are likely to have, come in contact with infectious agents. Sharp infectious waste includes, but is not limited to: hypodermic needles and syringes scalpel blades glass articles that have been broken Sharp infectious waste must be placed in a sharps disposal container that is: Rigid, puncture-resistant, leak-resistant, and closed tightly to prevent loss of contents Containers specifically designed and manufactured for the management and/or disposal of �sharps� Labeled as �sharps� Labeled with the universal biohazard symbol Sharps disposal containers can be purchased through OSU Stores @ 292-2062.

11. 11 Package the following in a container that is, at a minimum, rigid, puncture-resistant, leak-resistant, and closed tightly to prevent the loss of contents: Unused discarded hypodermic needles, syringes, scalpel blades and other items with the potential to puncture or lacerate Used discarded hypodermic needles, syringes, scalpel blades, and other items with the potential to puncture or lacerate that are not infectious waste Unused items and used items that are not infectious waste that pose puncture potential, such as hypodermic needles, scalpel blades, lancets, and broken glassware must be placed in a container that at a minimum is rigid, puncture-resistant, leak resistant, and closed tightly to prevent loss of contents for packaging. Container may be, but is not required to be, specifically designed and manufactured for the management and/or disposal of �sharps�. For unused & used items that are not infectious waste that pose minimum puncture potential, such as plastic pipettes and syringes, a cardboard box lined with a plastic bag meets the minimum operational requirements of being rigid, puncture-resistant, leak resistant, and closed tightly to prevent loss of contents for packaging Dispose of these items as infectious waste Disposal of sharp objects that are not infectious waste 

12. 12 Packaging of Infectious Waste Cardboard biohazard shipping boxes (burn boxes) and biohazard bags are available at no charge from the Office of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS). Requests for bags and boxes can be made by phone @ 292-1284 or by visiting the EHS website. Place infectious waste other than �sharps� in a red bag or plastic bag labeled with the universal biohazard symbol and securely tie bag. Place bag in a biohazard box (burn box) and tape the box shut. Label the box with your building name and room number. Place tightly closed sharps disposal containers in biohazard bag, securely tie bag, and place bag in biohazard shipping box and tape shut. Label box with your building name and room number. Contact EHS @ 292-1284 to request pick-up of infectious waste.

13. 13 Hazardous Waste Contact EHS, Environmental Affairs Section (292- 1284) with questions about the appropriate disposal of infectious waste that also meets the definition of a hazardous waste . Radioactive Waste Contact EHS, Radiation Safety Section (292-1284) with questions about the appropriate disposal of infectious waste that is also radioactive waste. Combined Waste

14. 14 Only infectious waste treatment facilities meeting all of the requirements set forth in the OEPA standards for the operation of infectious waste treatment facilities are permitted to treat infectious waste (to render it non-infectious waste) in the State of Ohio. Infectious waste generators are allowed to �pre-treat� infectious waste, by methods such as autoclaving or submerging cultures in sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solution, prior to placing infectious waste in a biohazard (burn) box to be treated as infectious waste. �Pre-treated� waste is still infectious waste and must be packaged, stored, handled, transported, and treated in accordance with infectious waste regulations. Prior to treating infectious waste (to render it non-infectious) at OSU, generators must register with the Office of Environmental Health & Safety (2-1284) and comply with all requirements in the aforementioned standards. Otherwise, generators of infectious waste at OSU cannot treat infectious waste to be disposed as non-infectious waste (e.g. as solid waste). Treatment of Infectious Waste

15. 15 All researchers who generate infectious waste must: Develop and implement written procedures for spill containment and clean up. Procedures shall include name, address, and telephone number of responsible person, as well as the location of all spill containment and clean up materials/ kits. Note: When applicable, these procedures can be the same procedures that were developed in response to OSHA�s bloodborne pathogens regulations. Make written procedures readily available to individuals likely to handle infectious waste Contain and clean-up any spill of infectious waste, using an approved disinfectant Report all spills or accidents that result in overt employee exposure or spills involving infectious waste in quantities greater than one cubic foot to the Office of Environmental Health & Safety (292-1284). Infectious Waste Spills

16. 16 Materials utilized to clean-up a spill of infectious waste shall include, but are not limited to the following: Materials designed to absorb spilled liquids; An U.S. EPA registered hospital disinfectant (that is also tuberculocidal, for a contact time as specified by the manufacturer); an unexpired dated stabilized bleach product (that is an USEPA registered hospital disinfectant that is also tuberculocidal, for a contact time as specified by the manufacturer); or materials necessary to prepare a minimum ten percent sodium hypochlorite solution prepared immediately prior to use with a minimum of thirty minutes of contact time with the waste; Red or biohazard labeled bag(s); Latex gloves, or equivalent type of gloves, and any other personal protective equipment necessary to implement the spill containment and clean-up procedures; and A first aid kit, unless emergency medical care is available on the premises, boundary tape, and other appropriate safety equipment Spill clean-up materials/ kits

17. 17 Generators of infectious waste may discharge untreated liquid or semi-liquid infectious waste that consists of blood, blood products, body fluids, and excreta into a public waste waster system -- provided these materials do NOT contain hazardous materials (such as, but not limited to formaldehyde or bleach) or radioactive materials. Generators may also package blood, blood products, body fluids and excreta in biohazard bags and burn boxes for pick-up by EHS. All liquid/semi-liquid wastes must be packaged in containers that will prevent leakage prior to placement in biohazard bags and boxes. Disposal of Blood, Blood Products, Body Fluids, & Excreta

18. 18 If you have any questions, please contact EHS via phone @ 292-1284 or visit the EHS website.