University of Nebraska Medical Center

Waste Handling

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Policy No: 2005
Effective Date: 08/25/06
Revised Date: 04/12/10
Reviewed Date: 04/15/10

It is the policy of The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) to manage waste in a manner designed to protect patients, employees, students, contractors, visitors and volunteers, as well as the environment. Waste handling is accomplished in a cost effective manner in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations and laws. Waste which cannot be reused or recycled will be disposed of in accordance with this policy. 

BIOHAZARD WASTE

Biohazard waste (infectious waste) is defined as material of biological origin capable of producing an infectious disease in humans or animals and includes at a minimum blood, body fluids, discarded sharps and inoculated culture media.

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 Attachment I for further details.

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.

  1. Biohazard waste will be transported in covered containers designated for biohazardous waste.
  2. Bags will meet current tear and impact resistance requirements, will conform to current maximum size and weight restrictions, and will be labeled as biohazardous. The top of the inner bag must be closed by twisting it closed and tying in a single knot. It is preferred that infectious waste be placed directly into rigid reusable containers supplied by the waste contractor at the site of origin.
  3.  Prior to transport off campus, all biohazardous waste will be placed in an approved leak-proof container such as disposable or reusable pails, reusable sharps containers, cartons, boxes, drums, or portable bins. These containers will be clearly marked and labeled in accordance with DOT and OSHA regulatory requirements. All containers will be closed and completely sealed.
  4. 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.
  5. 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 2004, Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Policy). 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Non-EPA regulated chemotherapy waste (See 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 UNMC Safety at 9-7315.
  9. Special Circumstances in Handling Biohazard Waste
    1. Placentas for disposal will be labeled for incineration.
    2. Tissue dissected from surgical pathology or autopsy specimens are disposed by incineration. See H. above.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. Biocontainment unit biohazard waste will be handled in accordance with acceptable guidelines. Known or suspected Risk Group 4 waste (See Attachment) is autoclaved on site before leaving the facility.
  10. 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

  1. 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 premises by a licensed contractor. Contact the UNMC Chemical Safety Office at ext. 9-6356 for disposal guidelines.
  2. Aerosol cans are picked up by Environmental Services in most locations except labs, where they are tagged for pick-up by UNMC Chemical and Radiation Safety. Cans are punctured in accordance with applicable Nebraska law, and the metal recycled.

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.

RECYCLABLE WASTE

Recyclable waste includes mixed paper, cardboard, plastic, tin, scrap metal and aluminum. Recyclable material containing confidential information is safeguarded from the time of generation through destruction. See UNMC Policy 6056 Retention and Destruction/Disposal of Private and Confidential Information for guidelines on the proper destruction of confidential materials. Questions concerning recycling can be addressed by calling ext. 9-4100.

GENERAL WASTE

General waste is anything which does not fit into other waste categories and is transported and disposed via a contracted service using normal waste handling methods.

  1. Uncontaminated glass is placed in rigid containers and labeled as to the contents.
  2. Compressed gas cylinders are returned to the vendor when empty. Contact Safety Ext 9-7315 to arrange disposal of single use disposable cylinders.
  3. Asbestos must be disposed in accordance with all applicable state, federal and local guidelines. Contact Facilities Management to arrange for disposal of items containing asbestos.

UNIVERSAL WASTE

  1. 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.
  2. Batteries - Nickel cadmium (rechargeable), button (calculator, watch) or lithium batteries.
  3. Mercury containing lamps - light emitting bulbs containing mercury, including fluorescent, high pressure sodium, mercury vapor and metal halide lamps.
  4. Mercury containing items (thermostats, switches, manometers, sphygmomanometers, etc).
  5. Electronic items (circuit boards, computer monitors)
  6. Pesticides

For additional information, please see Attachment I and Attachment 2 or contact the Safety Manager.
This policy maintained by dkp.

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