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Waste Handling: Difference between revisions
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Biohazard waste is composed of two broad categories to include sharps and nonsharps, and can be further subdivided by type. See the definitions outlined in [http://info.unmc.edu/safety/safety-office/biohazardous-waste/2005-waste-handling-attachments-2014.pdf Attachment I] for further details.<br /> | Biohazard waste is composed of two broad categories to include sharps and nonsharps, and can be further subdivided by type. See the definitions outlined in [http://info.unmc.edu/safety/safety-office/biohazardous-waste/2005-waste-handling-attachments-2014.pdf Attachment I] for further details.<br /> | ||
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Biohazard waste is handled by Environmental Services and is disposed through a licensed biohazard waste contractor. Final disposition of biohazardous waste is in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations and applies a process which renders the biohazard waste non-infectious. For further questions, please contact UNMC Safety Office.<br /> | Biohazard waste is handled by Environmental Services (ES) and is disposed through a licensed biohazard waste contractor. Final disposition of biohazardous waste is in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations and applies a process which renders the biohazard waste non-infectious. For further questions, please contact UNMC Safety Office.<br /> | ||
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Biohazard waste, except for sharps, shall be contained in disposable plastic bags or containers that are tear-resistant, leak-proof, and secured to prevent leakage or expulsion of solid or liquid waste during storage, handling or transport. | Biohazard waste, except for sharps, shall be contained in disposable plastic bags or containers that are tear-resistant, leak-proof, and secured to prevent leakage or expulsion of solid or liquid waste during storage, handling or transport. | ||
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#Suction canisters containing blood or other body fluids must be carefully emptied or contents may be sealed and placed in rigid reusable biohazardous waste containers with absorbent material. Personnel must wear appropriate protective equipment to minimize exposure to potential pathogens if contents are emptied. The contents may be solidified and discarded using approved methods if emptying the contents is not practical. The empty suction canisters must be handled and discarded as biohazard waste. | #Suction canisters containing blood or other body fluids must be carefully emptied or contents may be sealed and placed in rigid reusable biohazardous waste containers with absorbent material. Personnel must wear appropriate protective equipment to minimize exposure to potential pathogens if contents are emptied. The contents may be solidified and discarded using approved methods if emptying the contents is not practical. The empty suction canisters must be handled and discarded as biohazard waste. | ||
#Equipment and linen contaminated with biohazard material or biological agents must be handled and decontaminated in accordance with the guidelines established in the Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan (See The Nebraska Medical Center Policies and Procedures, IC13, Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan; UNMC Policy No. 2004, [[Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure]]). Equipment and linen are not thrown away as a biohazard. Items are cleaned first and appropriate personnel will determine if an item must be discarded due to contamination. | #Equipment and linen contaminated with biohazard material or biological agents must be handled and decontaminated in accordance with the guidelines established in the Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan (See The Nebraska Medical Center Policies and Procedures, IC13, Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan; UNMC Policy No. 2004, [[Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure]]). Equipment and linen are not thrown away as a biohazard. Items are cleaned first and appropriate personnel will determine if an item must be discarded due to contamination. | ||
#Infectious sharps, medical sharps, broken contaminated glass and pipettes contaminated with infectious material must be disposed of in leak-proof, rigid, puncture-resistant and break-resistant containers. Sharps containers must be approved by Safety Operations and the UNMC Safety Office. These containers must be sealed shut when they are 3/4 full and placed with the biohazard waste for pick up and disposal. Sharps containers should be bagged and sealed as outlined above if they contain liquids in the form of blood, body fluids or medications. Disposable sharps containers | #Infectious sharps, medical sharps, broken contaminated glass and pipettes contaminated with infectious material must be disposed of in leak-proof, rigid, puncture-resistant and break-resistant containers. Sharps containers must be approved by Safety Operations and the UNMC Safety Office. These containers must be sealed shut when they are 3/4 full and placed with the biohazard waste for pick up and disposal. Sharps containers should be bagged and sealed as outlined above if they contain liquids in the form of blood, body fluids or medications. Disposable sharps containers 4 gallons or smaller are sealed closed and placed in the biohazard waste tub for disposal. Larger disposable sharps containers which will not fit into biohazard tubs for shipping must be in a shippable container, approved by DOT for shipment of sharps with no other packaging required. Reusable sharps containers regardless of size are sealed closed and then transported by the vendor to a facility which handles emptying and disinfecting the containers as well as decontamination of the sharps for disposal. | ||
#The use of re-usable sharps containers is acceptable with the written approval of the UNMC Safety Manager. Containers will be handled and processed in a manner consistent with acceptable regulatory guidelines. | #The use of re-usable sharps containers is acceptable with the written approval of the UNMC Safety Manager. Containers will be handled and processed in a manner consistent with acceptable regulatory guidelines. | ||
#Non-EPA regulated chemotherapy waste (See [http://info.unmc.edu/safety/safety-office/biohazardous-waste/2005-waste-handling-attachments-2014.pdf Attachment 2] for a list of EPA regulated chemotherapy agents), pathological or other waste requiring incineration (human or animal remains or excised tissue) are marked clearly with the "incineration only" stickers provided by the biohazard waste contractor. The stickers are available from the biohazard waste contractor. Information on obtaining the incineration stickers can be obtained from Environmental Services at 9-4073. | #Non-EPA regulated chemotherapy waste (See [http://info.unmc.edu/safety/safety-office/biohazardous-waste/2005-waste-handling-attachments-2014.pdf Attachment 2] for a list of EPA regulated chemotherapy agents), pathological or other waste requiring incineration (human or animal remains or excised tissue) are marked clearly with the "incineration only" stickers provided by the biohazard waste contractor. The stickers are available from the biohazard waste contractor. Information on obtaining the incineration stickers can be obtained from Environmental Services at ext. 9-4073. | ||
#Special Circumstances in Handling Biohazard Waste | #Special Circumstances in Handling Biohazard Waste | ||
#*Placentas for disposal will be labeled for incineration. | #*Placentas for disposal will be labeled for incineration. | ||
#*Tissue dissected from surgical pathology or autopsy specimens are disposed by incineration. See 8 | #*Tissue dissected from surgical pathology or autopsy specimens are disposed by incineration. See #8 above. | ||
#*Biosafety-Level 3 containment laboratories shall have all waste generated in such labs either decontaminated prior to removal from the lab or wrapped and placed into a sealed container prior to removal from lab for decontamination on site. | #*Biosafety-Level 3 containment laboratories shall have all waste generated in such labs either decontaminated prior to removal from the lab or wrapped and placed into a sealed container prior to removal from lab for decontamination on site. | ||
#*Any materials/substances coming out of a laboratory with concentrated infectious agents, such as an HIV/HBV production facility, must be decontaminated on site before leaving the facility. | #*Any materials/substances coming out of a laboratory with concentrated infectious agents, such as an HIV/HBV production facility, must be decontaminated on site before leaving the facility. | ||
#*Biocontainment unit biohazard waste will be handled in accordance with acceptable guidelines. Known or suspected Risk Group 4 waste ([http://info.unmc.edu/ | #*Biocontainment unit biohazard waste will be handled in accordance with acceptable guidelines. Known or suspected Risk Group 4 waste ([http://info.unmc.edu/media/safety/2005_waste_handling_attachments_Nov2009.pdf See Attachment]) is autoclaved on site before leaving the facility. | ||
#Only trained and certified individuals shall sign Regulated Medical Waste (biohazardous) transport shipping papers. These individuals are signing for the organization and as such are not held financially responsible for any penalties or fines that may be imposed by regulatory agencies (i.e., OSHA, DOT, etc) so long as they are acting in a reasonable manner, consistent with their training and UNMC policy. | #Only trained and certified individuals shall sign Regulated Medical Waste (biohazardous) transport shipping papers. These individuals are signing for the organization and as such are not held financially responsible for any penalties or fines that may be imposed by regulatory agencies (i.e., OSHA, DOT, etc) so long as they are acting in a reasonable manner, consistent with their training and UNMC policy. | ||
==Chemical and Hazardous Waste== | ==Chemical and Hazardous Waste== | ||
Chemical and Hazardous Waste is any chemical material for disposal and includes both hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals. Chemicals and chemical materials like lead acid batteries and aerosol cans are disposed of in accordance with the Chemical Safety Manual and are removed from the campus by a licensed contractor. Contact the UNMC Chemical Safety Office at ext. 9-6356 for disposal guidelines. | Chemical and Hazardous Waste is any chemical material for disposal and includes both hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals. Chemicals and chemical materials like lead acid batteries and aerosol cans are disposed of in accordance with the Chemical Safety Manual and are removed from the campus by a licensed contractor. Contact the UNMC Chemical Safety Office at ext. 9-6356 for disposal guidelines. | ||
==Radioactive Waste== | ==Radioactive Waste== | ||
Radioactive waste is any material with detectable radioactivity above background levels. These materials are handled in accordance with Radioactive Materials and Waste policies and procedures. Contact the UNMC Radiation Safety Office at 9-6356 for disposal guidelines. | Radioactive waste is any material with detectable radioactivity above background levels. These materials are handled in accordance with Radioactive Materials and Waste policies and procedures. Contact the UNMC Radiation Safety Office at ext. 9-6356 for disposal guidelines. | ||
==Recyclable Waste== | ==Recyclable Waste== | ||
#Recyclable waste includes mixed paper, cardboard, plastic, tin, scrap metal, aluminum. and blue wrap. Questions concerning recycling can be addressed by calling ext. 9-4100 | #Recyclable waste includes mixed paper, cardboard, plastic, tin, scrap metal, aluminum. and blue wrap. Questions concerning recycling can be addressed by calling ext. 9-4100. | ||
#Recyclable material containing confidential information is safeguarded from the time of generation through destruction. For guidelines on the proper destruction of confidential materials in the hospital, see IM.14, and UNMC Policy No. 6056, [http://wiki.unmc.edu/Confidential_Information Retention and Destruction/Disposal of Private and Confidential Information]. All paper waste, including medical and personal information is considered confidential waste. | #Recyclable material containing confidential information is safeguarded from the time of generation through destruction. For guidelines on the proper destruction of confidential materials in the hospital, see IM.14, and UNMC Policy No. 6056, [http://wiki.unmc.edu/Confidential_Information Retention and Destruction/Disposal of Private and Confidential Information]. All paper waste, including medical and personal information is considered confidential waste. | ||
#The recycling program at UNMC must comply with the federal requirement, in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), that all personal health information (PHI) be protected from the time it is created to the time it is destroyed. | #The recycling program at UNMC must comply with the federal requirement, in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), that all personal health information (PHI) be protected from the time it is created to the time it is destroyed. | ||
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#*General trash compactors are emptied three times per week. Other dumpsters on campus are collected on a schedule based on the location and container size. | #*General trash compactors are emptied three times per week. Other dumpsters on campus are collected on a schedule based on the location and container size. | ||
==Universal Waste== | ==Universal Waste== | ||
Universal wastes are any of the following hazardous wastes subject to the State of Nebraska universal waste requirements. Questions concerning disposal of universal waste can be addressed by calling 9-6356. | Universal wastes are any of the following hazardous wastes subject to the State of Nebraska universal waste requirements. Questions concerning disposal of universal waste can be addressed by calling ext. 9-6356. | ||
#Batteries - Nickel cadmium (rechargeable), button (calculator, watch) or lithium batteries | #Batteries - Nickel cadmium (rechargeable), button (calculator, watch) or lithium batteries | ||
#Mercury containing lamps - light emitting bulbs containing mercury, including fluorescent, high pressure sodium, mercury vapor and metal halide lamps | #Mercury containing lamps - light emitting bulbs containing mercury, including fluorescent, high pressure sodium, mercury vapor and metal halide lamps | ||
#Mercury containing items (thermostats, switches, manometers, sphygmomanometers, etc) | #Mercury containing items (thermostats, switches, manometers, sphygmomanometers, etc) | ||
#Electronic items (circuit boards, computer monitors) | #Electronic items (circuit boards, computer monitors) | ||
#Pesticides | #Pesticides | ||
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#Teeth with gold restoration are placed into a sharps container and eventually sent to a gold recovery company. | #Teeth with gold restoration are placed into a sharps container and eventually sent to a gold recovery company. | ||
#Teeth with amalgam restoration are placed into a sharps container and eventually picked up and handled as hazardous waste by UNL Environmental Health and Safety due to the mercury content. | #Teeth with amalgam restoration are placed into a sharps container and eventually picked up and handled as hazardous waste by UNL Environmental Health and Safety due to the mercury content. | ||
#Extracted teeth stored at the College of Dentistry for use by students in pre-clinic laboratory are stored in dilute hypochlorite solution (generally a 1:10 dilution). | #Extracted teeth stored at the College of Dentistry for use by students in pre-clinic laboratory are stored in dilute hypochlorite solution (generally a 1:10 dilution). This leached the mercury from the restorations and the solution is picked up by UNL Environmental Health and Safety when the teeth are disposed of at the end of the year. | ||
==Technotrash== | ==Technotrash== | ||
Electronic trash is disposed using an appropriate channel that can handle the chemical hazards of the item and taking into account the presence or absence of personal health information (PHI). | Electronic trash is disposed using an appropriate channel that can handle the chemical hazards of the item and taking into account the presence or absence of personal health information (PHI). Items containing PHI are disposed in accordance with hospital policy IM14 and UNMC Policy No. 6056, [http://wiki.unmc.edu/Confidential_Information Retention and Destruction/Disposal of Private and Confidential Information](Examples: CD/DVD, barcode lab label printer ribbons, hard drives, copiers, etc.) | ||
==Additional Information== | ==Additional Information== | ||
*UNMC Policy No. 2004, [[Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure]] | *UNMC Policy No. 2004, [[Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure]] | ||