Hazardous Materials Disposal Handbook Biohazardous Waste

Transcription

1 Created by: Stuart Elle Date: September 10, 2009 Revised by: Hazardous Materials Disposal Handbook Biohazardous Waste n/a Date: n/a 1. Introduction Purpose The Role of Hazardous Materials Services Hazardous Materials Services Contact The Role of the Lab Personnel Clean Glass and Plastic Biohazardous Waste Step One: Waste Preparation Biohazardous Container Contents Closing Biohazard Buckets Closing Biohazard Boxes Step Two: Biohazardous Waste Labels Step Three: Waste Pickup Main Campus South Campus What Happens to Biohazardous Waste Waste Rejection Rejection Procedure Reasons for Rejections Biohazardous Label Missing, Incomplete or Improperly Completed Waste Container Overfilled Waste Container Leaking or Improperly Sealed External Contamination Revision History

2 1. Introduction 1.1. Purpose The purpose of this handbook is to provide a concise source of information for most areas of waste disposal and collection as it concerns the activities of Hazardous Materials Services (HMS); however, this manual cannot cover all possible situations. In cases where you cannot find an answer to your waste questions, please contact HMS at the address in Section The Role of Hazardous Materials Services Hazardous Materials Services (HMS) is responsible for collecting, transporting, shipping, recycling and disposal of chemical, biohazardous and radioactive waste generated by University of Calgary labs and facilities. This is done in accordance with transportation and environmental law and regulations for hazardous materials Hazardous Materials Services Contact hazmat@ucalgary.ca 1.3. The Role of the Lab Personnel Personnel in labs and other facilities at the University of Calgary that generate biohazardous waste are considered the Waste Generator for legislative and regulatory purposes. Generators of waste are responsible for, and required to, provide an accurate and detailed record of the waste they are generating and disposing. Waste generators are also responsible for safely collecting, storing and sorting (when required) waste prior to its pickup and transport by HMS for disposal or recycling Clean Glass and Plastic Provision of blue buckets for collection and removal of clean glass and plastic disposal is the responsibility of Caretaking. Please contact them at with questions about clean glass and plastic disposal, or visit for requests. 2. Biohazardous Waste 2.1. Step One: Waste Preparation Biohazardous containers are closely inspected by HMS to ensure they are properly sealed and free of external prior to pick up. Please consult the BioSafety and Procedures Manual ( for further details about handling biohazardous materials Biohazardous Container Contents Biohazardous containers are used for the disposal of sharps, waste containing blood, or any biologically contaminated items that cannot be autoclaved. Please do not put any of the following waste in biohazardous waste containers: Chemicals Incineration is not an environmentally approved or appropriate method for disposing many chemical wastes. 2

3 Autoclavable items Inclusion of autoclavable items results in increased disposal costs which are based on weight. For more information about autoclaving your waste, please contact the autoclave service provider for your department. Plastic pipettes Plastic pipettes can be autoclaved if they are not visibly contaminated. other inappropriate materials (such as items containing mercury, batteries, x-ray film, leaf foil, radioactive materials, and other hazardous wastes) - Any waste that is not biological in nature can be disposed of through other means Closing Biohazard Buckets 1. The bucket should not be filled beyond the ring at the bottom of the carry handles (Figure 1). The maximum weight is fifteen (15) kilograms. Please split heavy materials into multiple buckets. Please take every precaution to ensure that the container is not overfilled. No one in your lab wants to have to re-open a container to redistribute the contents. 2. To properly close the lid, a heavy rubber mallet is the best method. It is also possible to close the lid with body weight, but this does not work well for most people. If you can fit a finger tip between the upper ring and the bottom edge of the lid, it is not properly closed. Figure 1 A proper seal is important to contain any noxious odours due to decay, and to prevent spills in the event the bucket is dropped. If the bio bucket is not properly sealed, HMS will ask someone in the lab to seal it, or issue a rejection. 3. Closely inspect the exterior of the bucket for any contamination from blood or other sources and remove any contamination found; if the bucket is excessively dusty, please wipe clean. Check for sharps that can protrude from the bucket. HMS is unable to accept any contaminated or compromised buckets for collection. External contamination is anything that is not part of the container except for labels or added markings. 4. Complete and attach the Biohazardous Waste label to the top of the bucket. (see Section 2.2) Closing Biohazard Boxes 1. The bottom of the box has four numbered flaps for easy assembly. Open the flattened box and fold the flaps down in numerical order. The end of the last flap is inserted into the slot formed by the other flaps. If properly assembled, the bottom does not require any further reinforcement. 3

4 Step 2: Bottom flap numbering. Step 1: Flat biohazard box. Step 3: Fold in flap #1. Step 4: Fold in flap #2. Step 5: Fold in flap #3. Step 6: Fold in flap #4. Step 7: Pull up on flap #1 to close the bottom. 2. The handles are simply folded down inside the top of the box. 4

5 Step 8: Fold in the box handles. Step 9: Fold in the flap with the hole. 3. A yellow biohazard bag is supplied with a twist tie to line the inside of the box. When filled, secure the bag with the twist tie. Step 10: Place a yellow plastic bag in the box. Step 11: Secure the bag with the twist tie. 4. The box must weigh a maximum of twelve (12) kilograms. Please split heavy materials in multiple boxes. Partially full boxes are acceptable. Please take every precaution to ensure that the container is not overfilled. No one in your lab wants to have to re-open a container to redistribute the contents. 5. Close the top and secure with tape. Step 12: Close the lid. Step 13: Secure the tab and tap. 5

6 6. Complete and attach the Biohazardous Waste label to the top of the box. (see Section 2.2) 2.2. Step Two: Biohazardous Waste Labels A Biohazardous Waste Label is attached to the top of each bio bucket or box. The label template is available for download from the HMS website. ( Labels can be printed on label stock (Avery or Grand & Toy 99763) or plain paper and attached with tape. The label must be complete with all of the following information: Principal Investigator s Name Room number and Contact phone number Check off contents; if Other, please provide a general description specific details of the contents are not required on the label, but the HMS team member doing the collection may ask for additional information Waste preparer s name and signature at the bottom Bio Bucket Label PI Dr. Funny Bone Phone: Room # The Fun Lab Check off contents: _X_Blood Pasteur Pipettes _X_Sharps Broken glass containing biohazard that can not be decontaminated _X_Other: Balloon Animal Parts I certify that the bio bucket does not contain: Chemical bottles Autoclavable items Plastic pipettes Other inappropriate materials and that the bucket is free from external contamination. Mr. Clown (Print) (Sign) 2.3. Step Three: Waste Pickup Main Campus Biohazardous waste is collected on Tuesdays between 9:30am and 3:30pm. Labs in Science A, Science B and Earth Sciences should bring their bio buckets to Chemistry Stores where replacement containers are available. Labs in all other locations should call the Main Campus waste pickup line prior to 3:30pm on Monday South Campus Biohazardous waste is picked up on Thursday mornings. Labs in the Heritage Medical Research Building should place bio buckets in the center hallways. Labs in the Health Research Innovation Centre should place bio buckets in the main hallway so that it is 6

7 visible from the doors at the end of the hallway. Labs in all other locations should place bio buckets in the hallway outside their lab. It is not necessary to call in a pickup to the South Campus waste pickup line What Happens to Biohazardous Waste Biohazardous waste collected by HMS is incinerated in a co-generation system. 3. Waste Rejection 3.1. Rejection Procedure When biohazardous waste is rejected, a rejection sticker detailing the reason for rejection is placed on the rejected container. Please rectify the problem and resubmit the pickup request for the following week according to Section 2.3. If you have questions about the waste rejection or require further assistance, please contact HMS Reasons for Rejections The following are the most commonly reasons for rejection of waste offered for pickup Biohazardous Label Missing, Incomplete or Improperly Completed HMS will not accept waste that has a missing, incomplete or improperly completed Biohazardous Waste label. HMS cannot transport waste without documentation of what is carried on our truck the label is the documentation. As described under Section 1.3, lab personnel are considered the Waste Generator for legislative and regulatory purposes, so a Biohazardous Label is required on all bio buckets and bio boxes offered for disposal. The generator s name, signature, location, contact information, and waste types are all required on the label Waste Container Overfilled HMS will not accept containers which are overfilled for reasons related to safe transportation, handling and storage (see Figure 1). Bio buckets that are visibly overfilled will be rejected. Bio buckets and boxes that are excessively heavy (maximum 15kg and 12kg, respectively) when weighed will be rejected and returned to the lab. Please take every precaution to ensure that the container is not overfilled. No one in your lab wants to have to re-open a container to redistribute the contents Waste Container Leaking or Improperly Sealed. HMS will not accept biohazard buckets or boxes that are leaking or improperly sealed. Leaking or improperly sealed containers have the potential to contaminate common areas and the transport vehicle presenting an unacceptable hazard to other building occupants and HMS staff. HMS will not pickup any biohazardous waste until the problem is rectified. Please ask for assistance if you are unsure of how to proceed. 7

8 External Contamination HMS will not accept any container that has external contamination that may or may not pose an actual safety risk. External contamination is anything that is not part of the container except for labels or added markings. 4. Revision History September 10, 2009: First release of handbook (SE) 8