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Waste Handling: Difference between revisions
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[[Safety]] | [[Deadly Weapon]] | [[Shipping Hazardous Materials]] | [[Latex Sensitivity]] | [[Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure]] | [[Waste Handling]] | [[Portable Space Heaters]] | [[Children in the Workplace]] | [[Pets in the Workplace]] | [[Tuberculosis Exposure]] | [[Food, Drinks and Cosmetic Use in Laboratory Areas]] | [[Medical Surveillance]] | [[Threat Assessment | [[Safety]] | [[Deadly Weapon]] | [[Shipping Hazardous Materials]] | [[Latex Sensitivity]] | [[Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure]] | [[Waste Handling]] | [[Portable Space Heaters]] | [[Children in the Workplace]] | [[Pets in the Workplace]] | [[Tuberculosis Exposure]] | [[Food, Drinks and Cosmetic Use in Laboratory Areas]] | [[Medical Surveillance]] | [[Enterprise Threat Assessment Response Team]] | [[Management of Violent or Aggressive Patients/Visitors]] | [[Youth Safety]] | ||
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Policy No: <strong>2005</strong><br />Effective Date: <strong>08/25/06</strong><br />Revised Date: <strong>04/12/10</strong><br />Reviewed Date: <strong>04/15/10</strong> | Policy No: <strong>2005</strong><br /> | ||
Effective Date: <strong>08/25/06</strong><br /> | |||
<br /> | Revised Date: <strong>04/12/10</strong><br /> | ||
Reviewed Date: <strong>04/15/10</strong><br /> | |||
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<big>'''Waste Handling Policy'''</big> | |||
==Policy== | |||
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. | 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== | ||
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#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. | #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. | ||
#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 2004, [[Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure]] | #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 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. | #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. | ||
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#*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. | #*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 premises 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 premises by a licensed contractor. Contact the UNMC Chemical Safety Office at ext. 9-6356 for disposal guidelines. | ||
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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 9-6356 for disposal guidelines. | ||
==Recyclable Waste== | ==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. | 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 No, 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== | ||
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. | 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. | ||
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#Electronic items (circuit boards, computer monitors) | #Electronic items (circuit boards, computer monitors) | ||
#Pesticides | #Pesticides | ||
==Additional Information== | |||
*UNMC Policy No. 2004, [[Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure]] | |||
<br /> | *UNMC Policy No, 6056, [http://wiki.unmc.edu/Confidential_Information Retention and Destruction/Disposal of Private and Confidential Information] | ||
*[http://info.unmc.edu/media/safety/2005_waste_handling_attachments_Nov2009.pdf Attachment I and Attachment 2] | |||
*Contact [mailto:jhauser@unmc.edu UNMC Safety]. | |||
*The Nebraska Medical Center Policies and Procedures, IC13, Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan<br /> | |||
This policy maintained by [mailto:dpanowic@unmc.edu dkp]. | |||