Onsite Biomedical Waste Management

1. Onsite Biomedical Waste Management Environmental Health & SafetyEnvironmental Protection Program 2008-2009

2. Biomedical wastes are treated onsite utilizing autoclaves • Autoclaving provides an economical process of killing pathogenic microorganisms through saturation with moist heat (steam) under pressure • This process makes the microorganisms nonviable by destroying (denaturing) essential proteins and structures

3. Waste Handling • Biohazardous waste Materials : • Must be disposed of in a properly labeled heat resistant autoclavable bag (usually red or orange) • Add 1cup of water to each bag of solid waste and keep the bags open or loosely taped (steam can’t penetrate the bags)

4. Bags should be left to cool for several minutes before removing from autoclave Once cool, securely close biohazard bag and place into opaque black bag which has large white trash bin as secondary containment Waste Handling Continued

5. Record weight of material in pounds Always record conditions for the treatment of Waste Record duration waste is treated and the cycle number Record initials of person running cycle Record date waste is treated Record name of the person running the cycle Give a description of waste treated Autoclave Use Log

6. Quality Control • Methods for Quality Control: • Autoclave temperature tape (only tells desired temperature reached not time or pressure) • Parameter monitoring (pressure, time and temperature) • Record every load on autoclave use log • Perform Efficacy monitoring • 0 - 100 lbs/month - monthly • 100 - 200 lbs/month - biweekly • >200 lbs/month - weekly • Routine parameter monitoring maybe substituted for biological monitoring for autoclaves which have a continuous readout and record of operating parameters (example: autoclave with receipt tape style printout)

7. Verify Self Contained Biological Indications Parameter Monitoring • Parameter monitoring is necessary to ensure efficacy of autoclave • Parameter can be performed by using Verify integrator strips • Autoclaves that use pinwheel plots require biological monitoring with Verify biological monitoring vials containing live GeoBacillus Stearothermophilus

8. Print the name and initials of person running the cycle. Record the date Indicator Strip was run Please record the temperature, pressure, duration, and the cycle number Staple the Verify indicatorstrip from cycle here. Autoclave Parameter Log

9. Typical Door Posting Autoclave Rooms are BSL-2 Rooms • It is important to remember that all autoclave rooms are BSL-2 (biosafety level 2) rooms • Indicates a biohazard is present such as Hepatitis B virus, HIV, the salmonellae, and Toxoplasma spp. Also includes human-derived blood, body fluids, tissues, or primary human cell lines where the presence of an infectious agent may be unknown • Indicates that NO FOOD / DRINKS or cosmeticsare allowed in the room

10. Personal Protective Equipment • When selecting PPE consider the highest level hazard present, the source of the hazard, and the potential for simultaneous exposures. • Face protection • Goggles or safety glasses with side shields • Clothing • Lab coats, scrub suits, gowns (long pants only, no open toed shoes) • Clothing should be replaced immediately when contaminated • Gloves • Verify gloves are compatible with your specific application, process and materials before using • Gloves should be replaced immediately if torn • Gloves should not be worn outside the lab area • Always wear heat resistant gloves and keep your face away from the door when loading and unloading the autoclave

11. Employee Safety Practices • Avoid compressing bags which may create aerosols • Biological waste should be stored in rigid leak proof containers such as biohazard boxes, bins, or secondary containment pans • Waste should be stored inside the autoclave room and not in the hallways • Biological waste containing hazardous chemicals (flammables, chemotherapeutic agents) or Sharps should not be autoclaved. Call EH&S at 713-500-5837 for collection of these items • Biological Waste should not be left for “someone else” to autoclave

12. Good Employee Work Practices • Be a conscientious worker • Keep work areas clean and free of hazards • Use Standard Precautions • Treat all human blood and body fluids as if known to be infectious • No eating, drinking, or applying cosmetics in the work area • Frequent hand washing • Decontaminate work surfaces • decontaminate surfaces daily

13. Common Biomedical Waste Autoclave Deficiencies • EH&S performs semiannual surveys of autoclaves utilized for biomedical waste treatment • Common deficiencies include: • Food or drink consumed or stored in autoclave area • Autoclave log incomplete • Sterility monitoring not performed • Training records incomplete • Minors in the work place

14. In Summary • Autoclave Use Guidelines to follow: • Place sterilizing indicator tape on the autoclave bag. Make sure bags designated for autoclaving are used • 2. Place waste inside autoclave. Use secondary containment (pan) under the bag. If waste does not contain any moisture, put ½ cup of water inside bag for steam generation • 3. Autoclave according to manufacturers instructions for a minimum 30 minutes, at a minimum operating temperature and pressure of 250 deg. F and 15 psig • 4. When cycle is finished, inspect sterilizing tape, and visually check bags to ensure autoclave was working correctly • 5. Place waste in black opaque bags. Seal bag with tape or tie wrap • 6. Place waste in trash cans labeled “Autoclaved Waste Only” • Log activities in the autoclave usage log • Perform routine efficacy monitoring and record results in logbook