Waste Management System.

Transcription

1 Waste Management System. The identification, segregation and disposal of biological and associated waste. Corporate Procedure: CP-WMS 001 Authorised by: Issue number: Seven Date of issue: 17 February 2011 Purpose To define the University of Sheffield s legal obligations and procedures associated with the management and disposal of waste arsing from work with biological materials (including plant materials) generated by the organisation. Scope This procedure relates to the production, identification, segregation, handling, safe storage, collection, transfer, treatment and disposal of all biological waste generated and controlled by the University. This procedure does not cover the disposal of radioactive, chemical, liquid or electronic and electrical wastes. This procedure does not apply to the School of Medicine. Legal framework Environmental Protection Act 1990 Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 Controlled Waste Regulations SI 1992/588 Waste Management Licensing Regulations SI 1994/1056 Duty of Care Regulations SI 1991/2839 Landfill Regulations SI 2002/1559 Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations SI 2000/1973 Hazardous Waste Regulations SI 2005/894 List of Wastes Regulations SI 2005/895 Animal By-Products Regulations SI 2005/2347 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations SI 2002/2677 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations SI 1999/2342 Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations SI 2000/2831 Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations SI 2004/568 Pressure Systems Safety Regulations SI2000/128

2 Responsibilities All employees - responsible for complying with University policies, this procedure and agreed local procedures. Heads of Department overall responsibility for ensuring legislative compliance within their department and for ensuring that procedures are followed by all staff. Heads of departments are also responsible for ensuring employees have received appropriate training. Principal investigators responsible for assessing the waste produced from each procedure and identifying the correct disposal method. Principal investigators are also responsible for documenting the results of the assessments and communicating the results of the assessment to employees. Laboratory workers responsible for segregating the waste they produce as outlined in this procedure and instructed by their supervisors using the designated containers / storage areas. Portering Services responsible for collecting and storing biological waste from some laboratories prior to collection by the waste contractor for disposal. Procurement Unit responsible for managing the waste disposal contracts and procuring waste disposal containers. Energy and Environment Team responsible for ensuring legal compliance and compliance to this procedure through regular audits at an organisational level. The Energy and Environment Team also provides advice and support to departments on waste management issues. Page 2 of 18

3 Definitions The management and disposal of biological waste essentially fall under three separate regulatory regimes: a. health and safety; b. environment and waste; and c. transport. Controlled Waste Controlled waste is waste from household, industrial and commercial sources. Controlled waste is subject to a disposal licensing regime and a duty of care. All the waste produced by the University is classed as controlled waste. Clinical waste Clinical waste is defined in the Controlled Waste Regulations as: (a) any waste which consists wholly or partly of human or animal tissue, blood or other bodily fluids, excretions, drugs syringes, needles or other sharp instruments, being waste which unless rendered safe may prove hazardous to any person coming into contact with it; and (b) any other waste arising from medical, nursing, dental, veterinary, pharmaceutical or similar practice, investigation, treatment, care, teaching or research, or the collection of blood for transfusion which may cause infection to any person coming into contact with it. Hazardous waste Waste is classed as hazardous if it has one or more of the following properties: H1: Explosive H2: Oxidising H3: Flammable and highly flammable H4: Irritant H5: Harmful H6: Toxic or very toxic H7: Carcinogenic H8: Corrosive H9: Infectious H10: Toxic for reproduction H11: Mutagenic H12: Releases toxic gases in contact with water, air or an acid H13: Substances capable, by any means after disposal, of yielding another substances e.g. a leachate which possess any of the characteristics listed above H14: Ecotoxic To determine if a waste is hazardous, reference must be made to the European Waste Catalogue (EWC), which lists many waste types, giving each one a six-digit code. Hazardous wastes (i.e. those with one or more of the properties listed above) are marked in red with an asterisk. The catalogue also identifies mirror entries. Mirror entries have the potential to be either hazardous or non-hazardous depending on their actual composition and the concentrations of dangerous substances within the waste. These are marked in blue. Note: Although not explicitly stated GM wastes are classed as hazardous and must be dealt with according to this procedure. Page 3 of 18

4 EWC coding for clinical waste E Waste from natal care, diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease in humans Sharps except * Body parts and organs including blood bags and blood preserves (except *) * Waste whose collection and disposal is subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection Waste whose collection and disposal is not subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection, eg dressings, plaster casts, linen, disposable clothing * Chemicals consisting of dangerous substances Chemicals other than those listed in * * Cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines Medicines other than those mentioned in * * Amalgam waste from dental care Waste from research, diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease involving animals Sharps except * * Waste whose collection and disposal is subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection Waste whose collection and disposal is not subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection * Chemicals consisting of dangerous substances Chemicals other than those listed in * * Cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines Medicines other than those mentioned in * Municipal waste separately collected fractions Other fractions not otherwise specified (to be used for potentially infectious waste not from healthcare) Infectious waste Waste is classed as infectious when it contains viable microorganisms or their toxins, which are known, or reliably believed, to cause disease in man or living organisms, regardless of the level of infection posed. Note: Even minor infections are included within the definition of infectious. GM waste GM waste is waste containing active genetically modified organisms or genetically modified micro-organisms capable of interacting with animal, human or plant species. Dead transgenic animals (not containing active GMM) are not deemed to be GM waste. GMOs / GMMs which are sufficiently disabled so that they can not survive outside the laboratory and can not interact with the environment due to this inherent disability are not deemed as GM waste. Anatomical waste Anatomical waste includes body parts, other recognisable anatomical items and animal carcasses, which may be offensive to those who come into contact with such items. Page 4 of 18

5 Medicinal waste Medicinal waste includes expired, unused, spilt, and contaminated pharmaceutical products, drugs, vaccines, and sera that are no longer required. Also included are discarded items used in the handling of pharmaceuticals, such as packaging contaminated with residues, gloves, masks, connecting tubing, syringe bodies and drug vials. There are three categories of medicinal waste: 1. cytotoxic and cytostatic; 2. pharmaceutically active, but not cytotoxic and cytostatic; and 3. not pharmaceutically active and possessing no hazardous properties (examples include saline and glucose). A cytotoxic and cytostatic medicine is a medicinal product possessing any one or more of the following hazardous properties: Offensive waste H6: Toxic H7: Carcinogenic H10: Toxic for reproduction H11: Mutagenic Offensive waste is waste that is non-infectious, does not possess any hazardous properties and does not require specialist treatment (i.e. disinfection) or disposal, but which may cause offence to those coming into contact with it due to the presence of recognisable healthcare and laboratory waste items or body fluids. Sharps Sharps are items that could cause cuts or puncture wounds. They include needles, hypodermic needles, scalpels, other blades, knives, glass pasteur pipettes and other sharp laboratory instruments. Page 5 of 18

6 Duty of Care All waste is subject to a Duty of Care. The Duty of Care applies to anyone who produces, imports, carries, keeps, treats or disposes of controlled waste. In particular, waste holders have a duty a) to take steps to prevent offences involving waste; and to b) prevent other people from disposing, treating or storing the waste without a licence, in a manner likely to cause pollution or harm to health or breaching conditions of their licence. There are also particular requirements placed on those storing and transferring waste. Storage of waste To comply with the Duty of Care Regulations the University must ensure that all waste is stored in such away as to prevent escape or leakage whilst on site, in transit or in storage. The University must act to keep stored waste safe against: 1. corrosion or wear of waste containers; 2. accidental spilling or leaking or inadvertent leaching from waste unprotected from rainfall; 3. accident or weather breaking contained waste open and allowing it to escape; 4. waste blowing away or falling while stored or transported; and 5. scavenging of waste by vandals, thieves, children, trespassers or animals. Transfer notes and written descriptions The Duty of Care regulations require written descriptions and transfer notes to be completed when waste is transferred between two parties. On the transfer of controlled waste, both the University and the waste carrier must complete and sign a transfer note, which must be kept for two years. The transfer note must contain the information given below. 1. the identification of the waste; and its quantity; whether it is loose or in a container; if it is in a container, the type of container; place and time of transfer; the appropriate six-figure code from the European Waste Catalogue. 2. the name and address of the transferor and transferee; 3. whether the transferor is the producer or importer of the waste; 4. if the transferee is authorised for transport purposes, which of those purposes apply; 5. the category of authorised person that the transferee (and the transferor, where applicable) comes under, or which exemption applies and why they are exempt. The description of the waste should mention any special problems and should include the type of premises or business from which the waste comes, the name of the substances, the process that produced the waste, and chemical and physical analysis. Page 6 of 18

7 Hazardous waste and consignment notes Where hazardous waste is being produced it is a legal requirement for the premises to be notified to the Environment Agency. Upon registration the premises will be issued with a sixfigure premises code, which must be renewed every year. Holders of hazardous waste are also subject to the Duty of Care Regulations and a system of consignment notes. However, the consignment notes fulfil the Duty of Care requirement for a written description to accompany the transfer of waste. Consequently a consignment note is the only document that needs to be completed when hazardous waste is collected for disposal. The consignment note may be completed by the transporter of the waste, however the University must ensure that the waste has been consigned correctly. A consignment note is divided into 5 sections, parts A to E. The University must complete section A of the note which should contain the following information: 1. consignment note code; 2. the address of where the waste was removed from; 3. the Premises Code; 4. details of where the waste will be taken to; and 5. the details of the waste producer if different from 2. The University should also complete section B of the note which should contain the following information: 1. the process giving rise to the waste(s); 2. the SIC for the process giving rise to the waste; 3. a written description of the waste including: the appropriate six-figure code from the European Waste Catalogue; quantity (kg); the chemical/biological components of the waste and their concentrations; the physical form of the waste (i.e. gas, liquid, solid, powder, sludge or mixed); the hazard code(s); the container type, number and size; the UN identification number(s); proper shipping name(s), UN Class(es); packing group(s); and details of any special handling requirements. Section C is completed by the waste carrier. This should include the following: 1. carrier name and address; 2. carrier registration number or details of exemption; 3. vehicle registration number (or mode of transport if not road); and 4. the carrier must also sign and date the consignment note. Page 7 of 18

8 Section D is completed and signed by the University. By signing Part D the consignor is certifying that: all of Parts A, B and C are correct; the carrier is registered or exempt; the carrier was advised of any precautionary measures regarding the collection; all of the waste is packaged and labelled correctly and the carrier has been advised of any special handling requirements Part E is completed by the consignee. The consignee should complete section E and verify that the wastes listed in Part B match the wastes received. The consignee must provide a return to the University to confirm that the waste has reached its final destination. This can either be a copy of the completed consignment note or a copy of the quarterly returns (which waste managers must produce for the Environment Agency). Three copies of the consignment note should be completed one for the consignor i.e. the University, one for the carrier and one for consignee. Consignment notes and returns must be kept for three years. To ensure that consignors provide hazardous waste returns, the University must also keep a Register of Hazardous Waste Consignment. Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations All those involved in genetic modification activities, including waste contractors, are required to be registered as GM centres with the HSE. Waste contractors who collect active GM waste, which they then incinerate or otherwise treat to ensure inactivation, are undertaking a contained use activity, they must therefore register as a GM centre with the HSE. Where the waste has been inactivated prior to collection by a waste contractor, the contractor is not undertaking a contained use activity. This waste may be collected and treated or disposed of without the need to consider the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations. The Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations This legislation applies to the carriage of all dangerous substances, irrespective of whether it is waste or not. The Carriage Regulations require a transport document to accompany all loads of dangerous goods. The transport document should contain the following information: Page 8 of 18

9 1. the UN number of the goods being carried; 2. the proper shipping name, supplemented where applicable with the technical name; 3. the label model number; 4. the packing group; 5. the number and description of the packages; 6. the total quantity of each item; 7. the name and address of the consignor; and 8. the name and address of the consignees. The information that is required on a hazardous waste consignment note is the same as the information required on the carriage of dangerous goods transport document, consequently only a consignment note needs to be completed when hazardous waste is transported for disposal. The Carriage Regulations specify how dangerous substances, including waste, should be packaged for carriage, this is determined by the UN number see the table below. Dangerous goods (UN number) Category A UN 2814 UN 2900 Proper shipping name Infectious substance, affecting humans Infectious substance, affecting animals only Page 9 of 18 Packing instruction P620 P620 Packaging examples Three-part packaging Category B UN 3291 Clinical waste N.O.S P621 Wheeled bins Medicinal waste UN 1851 UN 3248 UN 3249 Medicine, liquid, toxic N.O.S Medicine, liquid, flammable, toxic N.O.S Medicine, solid, toxic N.O.S P001 Boxes, drums For the purposes of transport the Carriage Regulations classify infectious substances as either Category A or B substances. Category A is an infectious substance which is transported in a form that, when exposure to it occurs, is capable of causing permanent disability, life-threatening or fatal disease to humans or animals; Category B is an infectious substance which does not meet the criteria for inclusion in Category A. The ADR or the COSHH Regulations can be used to assist in determining which category an infectious material falls under. The ADR (the European Agreement on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) lists the pathogens that are classed as Category A infectious substances - typically these are pathogens that are in culture. A copy of this list can be found in Appendix B of the Health Technical Memorandum 07-01: Safe management of healthcare waste. It is important to note that the list is not exhaustive and there maybe other micro-organisms that could be classified as Category A. If pathogens are in a form that, when exposure occurs, are capable of causing permanent disability, life-threatening or fatal disease in humans or animals then they must be classed and inactivated as a Category A substance. COSHH classifies biological agents into one of four hazardous groups (HGs) based on their ability of infect humans. All agents classified as HG4 in the Approved List of Biological Agents,

10 many HG3 agents and two HG2 agents (Clostridium botulinum and poliovirus) are classed as Category A infectious substances. Further guidance can be found in HSE document Biological agents: Managing the risks in laboratories and healthcare premises. Because of the risks associated with transporting Category A infectious waste, University policy is to inactivate pathogens that fall into this category within the laboratory / laboratory suite prior to disposal. Once inactivated the waste is no longer considered infectious. Note 1: Class 1 and 2 GMMs and GMOs should be classed as Category B infectious substances. Class 3 and 4 genetically modified micro-organisms must be inactivated within the laboratory / laboratory suite before disposal. Once inactivated the waste is no longer considered infectious. Animal By-Products Regulations The Animal By-Product Regulations lay down health rules concerning animal by-products not intended for human consumption. It requires Category 1 animal remains (i.e. animals other than farmed and wild animals, like pet animals, zoo animals and circus animals and animals which have been experimented on) to be directly disposed of by incineration. During transport the regulations require a label to be attached to the container indicating the category of the animal remains and with the words for disposal only. Animal remains must be collected and transported in sealed new packaging or leak proof containers. A commercial document must accompany the animal remains, and should specify: 1. The date on which the material was taken from the premises; 2. The description of the material; 3. The quantity of the material; 4. The name and address of the carrier; 5. The name and address of the receiver (and if applicable the its approval number); and 6. If appropriate: i. The approval number of the plant of origin, and ii. The nature and the methods of treatment. Three copies of the commercial document must be produced. A copy must accompany the consignment to its final destination, and copies must also be retained by the producer and the carrier. The commercial document must be retained for two years. A consignment note or waste transfer note will fulfil this requirement of the regulations provided the waste is adequately described. Page 10 of 18

11 Procedure 1. Identification of biological waste 1.1 Principal Investigators or their nominated representatives will assess the waste of each experimental procedure and identify which waste streams are produced and the appropriate storage and disposal method for each waste stream. This assessment must documented and should be undertaken at the planning stage of the procedure and combined with the completion of COSHH risk assessments. 1.2 Principal Investigators or their nominated representatives must communicate the outcomes of the COSHH and waste assessments to all those involved in the production of the waste and ensure all waste is segregated appropriately. 1.3 Principal Investigators or their nominated representatives must ensure that the appropriate waste disposal receptacles (as identified in the waste stream assessment) are available in the laboratories and that there are sufficient quantities of the receptacles to enable them to be situated as close to the various points of production as possible. 1.4 When using the Field Laboratories facilities or the facilities of other departments visiting Principal Investigators or their nominated representatives are responsible for ensuring that all the waste produced while using those facilities is correctly identified, ensuring the appropriate waste disposal receptacles are available and that laboratory workers under their supervision are able to segregate their waste into the correct waste streams. Visiting departments must liaise with host departments and comply with local procedures as necessary. 1.5 It is the responsibility of Heads of Departments to ensure that COSHH risk assessments and the waste disposal assessment have been completed satisfactorily and are reviewed annually. 2. Segregation of biological waste 2.1 Biological waste should be disposed of using the corporately organised disposal scheme see the table below. Type of waste Receptacle Classification Disposal of waste route Anatomical waste - uninfected Yellow bin, bag or box Non Hazardous Incineration Anatomical waste - infectious Yellow bin, bag or box Hazardous Incineration Category 1 and 2 GM waste Yellow bin, bag or box Hazardous Incineration Category B infectious waste Orange bin, bag or box Hazardous Treatment Cytostatic and cytotoxic medicinal Medicine bin with purple lid Hazardous Incineration waste Non cytostatic and cytotoxic Medicine bin with purple lid Non hazardous Incineration medicinal waste Uncontaminated lab waste (offensive Yellow bag with black stripe Non hazardous Landfill waste) Inactivated waste Yellow bag with black stripe Non hazardous Landfill Sharps containing cytostatic and Sharps box with purple lid Hazardous Incineration cytotoxic medicine Sharps containing non cytostatic and Sharps box with purple lid Non hazardous Incineration Page 11 of 18

12 cytotoxic medicine Sharps contaminated with infectious Sharps box with orange lid Hazardous Incineration material Sharps contaminated with chemical Sharps box with orange lid Hazardous Incineration waste Uncontaminated sharps Sharps box with orange lid Non hazardous Incineration 2.2 All plastic bags used to collect and dispose of GM and anatomical waste (yellow) or infectious waste (orange), must be UN approved and comply with BS EN ISO 7765:2004 and BS EN ISO 6383:2004, compliance with these standards should be indicated on the bags. 2.3 Only type approved containers can be used containers for the collection and disposal of infectious waste. Wet waste should be collected and disposed of using plastic medi bins, while dry waste should be disposed of using cardboard boxes. 2.4 Pipette tips and other items capable of puncturing plastic bags should be disposed of in either plastic medi bins or cardboard boxes or placed in secondary containers before being placed into plastic bags. 2.5 All recognisable anatomical waste (whether infectious of not) must be incinerated and placed in either a yellow medi bin or yellow box. 2.6 All bins used for the collection of sharps be UN approved and comply with BS EN ISO 7320:1990. Compliance with the standards should be indicated on the boxes. 2.7 Sharps containers should be used for the disposal of sharps item and glass microscope slides only, pipette tips, agar plates, gloves etc should be disposed of in the appropriate bins / bag. 2.8 Sharps, for example syringes, should not be resheathed before being disposed in sharps boxes. 2.9 As sharps boxes are not impervious to liquids, partially used vials and sharps must not be poured / discharged into sharps boxes Waste streams must not be mixed unless the required disposal method for each waste stream is the same e.g. incineration. Care should be taken to ensure that waste materials that are chemically incompatible are not mixed even if their final destination is the same Anatomical, GM or infectious waste that contains significant quantities of hazardous chemicals should be disposed of in the medicinal waste stream. The chemicals must be identified and the hazardous properties described on the container labels - see paragraph Waste chemicals, empty chemical containers or equipment contaminated solely with chemicals must not be disposed of via the biological waste disposal scheme. Chemicals and packaging / consumables above hazardous waste threshold levels should be disposed of through the chemical disposal route organised by Safety Services. Non hazardous chemicals and packaging, should have the labels removed or defaced and be disposed of via the most appropriate waste stream (i.e. general waste or recycled) Uncontaminated laboratory consumables and general waste should not be disposed of via the infectious or anatomical waste streams, instead it should be disposed of through the Page 12 of 18

13 offensive waste stream, while general waste should be disposed of through the general waste stream Fluorsorbers do not need to be disposed of as medicinal waste (the charcoal renders the anaesthetic harmless) and should be disposed of in the offensive waste stream Uncontaminated animal bedding should be disposed of via the general waste stream Class 3 GMMs waste must be inactivated within the laboratory suite and Class 4 GMMs must be inactivated with the laboratory prior to disposal, as required by the GMO (CU) Regulations. Although inactivation of Class 2 GMMs is not required prior to collection for disposal, it is good practice to do so Infectious waste containing HG4, HG3 agents or Clostridium botulinum and poliovirus must be inactivated within the laboratory / laboratory suite prior to disposal Prion diseases (TSE agents) are particularly resistant to standard physical and chemical methods of inactivation. Sodium hypochlorite is effective but only at concentrations of 20,000 ppm available chlorine. Where it is not possible to chemically inactivate waste it must be sent for incineration If the deactivation of waste containing class 3 or 4 GMMs, HG4, HG3 agents or Clostridium botulinum and poliovirus is not possible due to breakdowns of machinery, departments must contact the Environment Officer immediately for advice and further instructions. The bins, boxes or plastic bags must not be used to dispose of these types of waste under any circumstances Waste that has been autoclaved or inactivated on-site is no longer considered to be infectious and can be disposed of as offensive waste provided it has no other hazardous properties Unused stock supplies of controlled drugs used in animal housing facilities must be returned to the prescribing vet for destruction in line with legislation. 3. Inactivation 3.1 Active GMMs, GM plant material or waste containing infectious substances maybe inactivated using an autoclave or by using chemically validated techniques. 3.2 Parasitic plants that have not been genetically modified are not classed as infectious in the European Waste Catalogue, however it is University policy to autoclave the following prior to disposal. The seeds of all parasitic plants, The root section of all rhizotrons, including the vermiculite and the fabric. The green parts (e.g leaves and stems) can be disposed of in the general waste, unless the plant is in flower or seeding. In which case, this too must be autoclaved. 3.3 Autoclaves should conform to BS and BS EN 12347, and have a current statutory examination certificate. Autoclaves should be serviced and calibrated twice a year by Page 13 of 18

14 a specialist contractor. Upon completion of the statutory / service the contractor will provide a certificate and associated paper work which should be kept for three years. 3.4 Departments must produce a documented standard operating procedure as for every autoclave machine that they operate as outline in the HSE document The management, design and operation of microbiological containment of laboratories. 3.5 A record of each autoclave cycle must be made and kept for three years. 3.6 Only trained personnel can operate autoclaving equipment. 3.7 Inactivated waste may no longer be infectious, but it may still have hazardous properties and must be disposed of accordingly. In addition inactivation may change the hazardous properties of some chemicals, these new hazardous properties must identified and the waste must be disposed of accordingly. 3.8 Liquid wastes containing infectious substances or GM waste must be inactivated before being disposed of via the sewage system provided it is no longer has any other hazardous properties. 4. Emptying / sealing bins and correct labelling 4.1 Receptacles/sacks should be replaced when they three quarters full, reach the fill line or reach the weight specified on the container. Receptacles should be securely sealed, plastic tie closures are required for waste sacks. 4.2 Sharps boxes should be replaced when they are three quarters full or reach the fill line. 4.3 Where infectious waste, excluding sharps, accumulates in small quantities receptacles/sacks should emptied once a week, unless the waste is refrigerated. Sharps receptacles should be changed every three months. 4.4 A pre-printed self adhesive label must be attached to the waste receptacles, and must be completed by the person sealing the bag. The label must include the following: 1. The source of the waste (i.e. the laboratory) and the date the receptacle was sealed. 2. A description of the waste using the EWC code - see page 3. Where several waste streams have been mixed because the disposal methods are the same, all the wastes must be identified on the label. 3. If the waste contains animal remains the container should be labelled with the words Category 1 Waste (ABPR). For disposal only 4. A description of the hazardous properties of the waste this should be made using the generic H codes and phrases. Where waste has been mixed all the hazardous properties must be described. 5. For hazardous waste only (including infectious): If not already pre-printed on the waste receptacle a label should also be attached indicating the appropriate UN four Page 14 of 18

15 digit number and class of dangerous goods, the proper shipping name and a diamond hazard warning sign. 4.5 Once the bag/box has been sealed it should be moved directly to a dedicated biological waste storage area - biological waste should not be allowed to accumulate in laboratories, corridors or other similar places accessible to employees, students or members of the public. 5. Collection and bulk storage prior to disposal 5.1 Waste should only be stored temporarily in designated storage area at the site of production whist awaiting collection by a registered carrier. Designated storage areas are located at North Campus; Firth Court / Back Lane; The Bio Incubator and; Psychology Buildings (Northumberland Road). 5.2 Biological waste should be stored in line with the Duty of Care Regulations (see page four); in addition biological waste bulk storage areas should also: be well-lit and ventilated; be totally enclosed and secure; have separate marked storage areas different waste streams; be sited on a well-drained, impervious hardstanding; be kept locked when not in use; be equipped with employee washing facilities; be bunded to prevent loss of containment in the event of the leak. be clearly marked with warning signs. 5.3 Under no circumstances should other types of waste be stored in biological waste bulk storage areas. 5.4 Trolleys used to transport biological waste from laboratories to storage areas and from storage areas to waste contractor vehicles must not be used for any other purpose. Trolleys should be easy to clean and drain, and easy to load and unload. They should contain any leakage from damaged receptacles, not allow particles of waste to become trapped on edges or crevices or offer harbourage for insects or vermin. Trolleys should be disinfected regularly and following leakages or spills. 6. Transfer of waste and disposal 6.1 Waste can only be handed to an authorised person or to persons authorised for transport. Before transferring to a waste carrier for the first time the Energy and Environment Team will obtain copies of their carrier licence and will review the document annually. 6.2 Waste must be handed over to a carrier in sealed containers. Hazardous substances must be packaged in line with the Carriage of Dangerous Goods (see page 8). 6.3 All premises that are producing hazardous waste will be notified to the Environment Agency annually by the Energy and Environment Team. Page 15 of 18

16 6.4 All waste transferred from University premises by a waste carrier must be accompanied either by a waste transfer note or a consignment note (see pages 6 to 10 for further information). 6.5 Waste transfer notes and consignment notes can be completed by the waste carrier, however those overseeing the collection of waste must check the documentation to ensure the waste has been consigned correctly. 6.6 Portering Services will keep copies of will keep copies of waste transfer notes / consignment notes on behalf of departments whose waste is collected from Alfred Denny Yard and Firth Court, and maintain a Register of Hazardous Waste Consignment to ensure that consignors provide hazardous waste returns. At other locations a member of staff should be given the responsibility of ensuring waste transfer notes / consignment notes are kept and keeping a Register of Hazardous Waste Consignment. 6.7 In addition to ensuring that waste is only transported by licensed carriers, the University is responsible for ensuring that waste generated by the organisation is disposed of legally. The Energy and Environment team will periodically check the licences of any waste contractors and sub contractors used for the disposal of biological waste to establish that they are working within the restrictions of their licences / permits or exemptions. 6.8 The Energy and Environment Team will periodically audit waste managers and their sites to ensure that the University s waste is not being treated illegally. 6.9 Waste Carriers will be audited occasionally by the Energy and Environment Team to ensure that they are complying with the requirements of the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations, for example by appointing a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor and producing the required annual report on transporting activities Where Waste Brokers are being used, the Energy and Environment Team will check periodically that the organisation has a brokers licence and that the waste management site that the broker is using has a waste management licence/exemption. 7. Spills and breaches of containment 7.1 Spills must be cleared up immediately. 7.2 The area should be cordoned off until decontaminated. 7.3 Spills should be covered by cotton wool or absorbent paper towels and a suitable disinfectant should be poured onto the absorbent material. Enough should be applied to soak the spill material through, the spill should then be left for a short period of time (this will be determined by the type of spillage and disinfectant). The spill should then be cleaned up using cloths, paper towels or a strong piece of card and any waste should be disposed of in the appropriate waste stream. 7.4 Containers that have been damaged or breached are no longer fit for purpose. If the container already contains waste, then it must be carefully transferred to an undamaged receptacle. Page 16 of 18

17 7.5 Spills and breached containers should only be dealt with by a trained member of laboratory staff. Porters must not attempt to clean up any spills or deal with any breached containers; instead the relevant Department must be contacted for assistance. 7.6 The Control Room will keep a list of departmental emergency contacts for spills and breached of containers. 7.7 All spills, incidents and near misses involving biological waste should be reported to an appropriate manager and Accident/Dangerous Occurrence form should be completed immediately. 8. Training 8.1 All workers, including temporary and agency workers, who come into contact with biological waste must receive specific training to their job function within two months of commencing employment. It is the responsibility of principle investigators to ensure that training is delivered. 8.2 All new laboratory workers will be given a Department Laboratory Induction where the segregation and disposal of biological waste will be covered in addition to other laboratory training topics. Departments will be responsible for keeping Laboratory Induction records. 8.3 All laboratory workers must complete the web based training package. Records will be kept corporately. 8.4 Training will be given to those completing waste assessments and completing waste disposal documentation. Details of training attended will be kept on the corporate learning management system. 8.5 Porters will be given training that will cover the Duty of Care, the storage of waste and the completion of waste disposal documentation. Details of training attended will be kept on Boson. 8.6 Periodic refresher courses will be given to all employees involved in the disposal of biological waste to take into account changes in the law and remind employees of their responsibilities. 9. Audit 9.1 The procedures used for identifying and segregating biological waste will be monitored and evaluated on a regular basis. Waste audits will be managed by the Energy and Environment Team and undertaken annually. Feedback will be given to departments and corrective actions will be completed within agreed time scales. Page 17 of 18

18 Associated Documentation Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (2005) Biological agents: Managing the risks in laboratories and healthcare premises. HSE Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (2004) The approved list of biological agents. HSE Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (2001) The management, design and operation or microbiological containment laboratories. HSE Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens TSE Working Group (2003) Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agents: safe working and the prevention of infection. Department of Health (2006) Health technical memorandum 07-01: Safe management of healthcare waste. The Environment Agency (1996) Waste management, the duty of care. A code of practice. The Environment Agency (2006) WM2 Hazardous waste: Interpretation of the definition and classification of hazardous waste. University of Sheffield - Safety Services (2005) Health and Safety Code of Practice. Departmental Safety Handbooks Appendices Hazardous waste premises codes spreadsheet COSHH risk assessment forms GM risk assessment forms Register of Hazardous Waste Consignment Hazardous Waste Consignment Note Waste Transfer Note Accident/Dangerous Occurrence Form Departmental emergency contact list Page 18 of 18