Disposal of Biological Waste

1. Disposal of Biological Waste Fleur Rothwell Waste & Environment ManagerEnergy & Sustainability Office

2. Training Outline • What is it? • Waste. Clinical? Animal? Special? Other? • How do you deal with it? • Containers • Always Render Safe • Disposal Procedure • Health & Safety • Further information Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

3. What is it? Firstly, it is “WASTE” • The Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 apply: • Responsibility of anyone discarding any items to ensure that it: • It is stored and disposed of responsibly; • It is only handled or dealt with by authorised / registered individuals or businesses; and • A record is kept of all waste received or transferred through a system of signed Waste Transfer Notes (WTN). • Responsibility of the Producer to make an assessment of each item, to segregate and dispose of it safely and retain records relating to this disposal. • Producer, and contractor should sign and date the WTN and Producer should retain a copy of the completed Transfer Note for three years. Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

4. What is it? • Biological, but… no legal definition so: • Clinical (= Healthcare) or • Animal By-Product • May also be Special (= Hazardous) • Or may be Radioactive • Or, if “rendered safe”, it may be non-clinical i.e. general waste Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

5. What is it? • Clinical Waste is… • “any waste which consists wholly or partly of: • human or animal tissue; • blood / body fluids, excretions; • drugs or other pharmaceutical products; • swabs or dressings; • syringes, needles or other sharp instruments; …which, unless rendered safe, may prove hazardous…; and • any other waste arising from medical,… veterinary, pharmaceutical… care, teaching or research… which may cause infection to any person coming into contact with it ” Extract from the Controlled Waste Regulations (S.I. 1992/588) Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

6. What is it? • Special Waste • Defined by European, UK and Scottish regulations • Includes: • Infectious or potentially infectious material • Cytotoxic and cytostatic drugs (and clinical material treated with them) • Many drugs / chemicals, otherwise hazardous • If Special Waste is to be produced, both WEM and Safety Advisor must be notified Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

7. What is it? • Radioactive Waste • If both clinical and radioactive then both sets of legislation may apply • Separate registration with H&S and ESO • Barcodes & containers • None of the above • In many instances, if treated appropriately, waste might no longer be “clinical” • But… make sure not “offensive” Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

8. Containers – Type • Container type • Must be appropriate to contents & regulations • Bags– NO sharps, medicines or liquids • Sharps bins– sharps ONLY • Other Rigid Bins– various e.g. • High liquid-content Clinical • Combustible Radioactive • Special & Clinical (e.g. Cytotoxic) • Waste medicines Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

9. Containers – Colour • Container colour • Tells other staff what is in the container • Tells the contractor what to do with the waste • Can apply to both sacks and rigid containers Safe for Disposal to General Waste Sharps Lab plastics Cytotoxic Carcass, anatomical Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

10. Always Render Safe Remember, University procedure is to alwaysrender waste safebefore it leaves the lab(e.g. autoclave or disinfect) to ensure that waste is “non-infectious” at point of disposal (including cultures & GM) Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

11. Disposal Procedure – Carcass • Carcass or anatomical material • Small / medium carcasses or obvious body parts • Render safe first • Yellow bags or containers • Freeze prior to collection or keep refrigerated Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

12. Disposal Procedure – Blood • Blood or body fluids • Render safe first • Including heavily soaked materials (e.g. swabs, dressings) • Yellow containers or heavy gauge yellow bags (only if doubled and NOT leaking) • Freeze prior to collection Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

13. Disposal Procedure – Sharps • Sharps • Including needles, scalpel blades and small pieces of glass • ALWAYS USE a Sharps bin • Do NOT overfill or shake • Follow H&S guidance and take care • (If contaminated) autoclave when bin is full Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

14. Disposal Procedure – Plastics • Laboratory plastics • Render safe first • If non-identifiable following autoclave then non-clinical disposal [Black Bag and label “Safe for Disposal”] • If identifiable still then possibly “offensive” - Orange Bag and label as for Clinical Waste Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

15. Disposal Procedure – Glass • Glassware • Render safe first • Designated boxes – clearly labelled “Broken Glassware – Safe for Disposal” • Except if contains hazardous chemicals – special disposal route via Chemistry Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

16. Disposal Procedure – Medicines • Medicines • Designated medicine bins only (usually Blue Rigid container) • Do not use containers intended for other uses (e.g. sharps bins) • Do not pour down the drain • Some medicines are considered to be Special Waste Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

17. Disposal Procedure – Special I • Cytotoxic Waste • Special Waste, therefore • Packaging and labelling requirements • Holding locations – separate containment • “Pre-notification” of SEPA by contractor & Special Waste Consignment Note • Extra charges • Notify Waste Manager Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

18. Disposal Procedure – Special II • Infectious or GM Waste • Wherever possible, should be rendered safe / inactivated BEFORE leaving the lab • If not possible then special conditions apply: • Packaging and labelling • Holding locations – separate containment • “Pre-notification” of SEPA • Extra paperwork • Extra charges • Notify Waste Manager immediately Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

19. Disposal Procedure – Overview • (Where necessary) autoclave / disinfect • Place in appropriate bag / bin • Seal bag / bin • Complete Label Record Sheet and apply Barcode Label – don’t forget to circle category on label (e.g. sharps, plastics, carcass) • Place bag in designated store / holding location Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

20. Disposal Procedure – Labels I • Barcode Labels MUST be used and information recorded Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

21. “SAFE FOR DISPOSAL” labels for Heavy Black Sacks of lab waste for disposal as General Waste. Use standard Avery L7163 labels available via Supplies Office. Labels of your choice may be created provided they contain identical information in the same size and format. Template available from Fleur Rothwell Energy & Sustainability Office, 9-16 Chambers St. tel 651 4287, Email Fleur.Rothwell@ed.ac.uk University of Edinburgh Laboratory Waste Treated to Make SAFE FOR DISPOSAL Dept/Lab: _________________________________ Date Rendered Safe: ________________________ Supervisor’s Initials: _________________________ Disposal Procedure – Labels II • Unless… Safe for disposal to landfill (e.g. uncontaminated glassware) Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

22. Disposal Procedure - Reminder • Key points to remember: • Never fill sacks more than ¾ full • Never overfill sharps bins • Do NOT use anything that leaks • Secure sacks with a plastic tie / seal bins before removing from lab • Always use a Barcode Label and complete your Label Record Sheet • Know if it is “Special Waste” & act accordingly • Place in approved Holding Location – in freezer if necessary Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

23. Disposal Procedure – Locations Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

24. Health & Safety • As with H&S considerations, you must: • make full and proper use of any control measure or facility provided • familiarise yourself with University and School Waste Disposal Policies • carry out your work safely and in accordance with these policies using all measures specified • ask if you are unsure • report any concerns • know what to do if you have an accident Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

25. Further Information • University guidance • Clinical Waste Code of Practice (current version is 2002 – currently being updated) • Hazardous Waste Code of Practice(current version is 1998 – to be updated in 2005-06) • Waste Reduction Policy 2005 • Role of School Waste Coordinators • School / laboratory guidance Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

26. Further Information http://www.eso.ed.ac.uk Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

27. Further Information Energy & Sustainability Office website: http://www.eso.ed.ac.uk Waste Section: http://www.eso.ed.ac.uk/waste/ Policies & Reports Section:http://www.eso.ed.ac.uk/PoliciesAndReports/ Biosafety section on H&S website: http://www.safety.ed.ac.uk/resources/ bio_safety.shtm Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session

28. Further Information Fleur Rothwell Waste & Environment Manager Email: Fleur.Rothwell@ed.ac.uk Tel: 651 4287 Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session