Biological Waste
All biological waste material (liquids and solids materials contaminated with hazardous biological agents, including GM) must be inactivated before release from departmental facilities. Standard laboratory methods used include disinfection and sterilisation by autoclave treatment
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Disinfection
- The use of chemical disinfectants, normally in the form of proprietary products specifically for use in laboratories, is a widespread and important control technique in biological laboratories. Laboratories handling microorganisms and other hazardous biological materials should routinely use chemical disinfection to decontaminate surfaces and equipment, and prevent microbial growth in spent culture fluids etc.
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- If possible, the number of different disinfectants used in a laboratory should be reduced to a minimum to avoid mistakes in application. Adequate information and instructions must be given to all workers to ensure they know what disinfectant to use and how to use it.
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- Each laboratory group must ensure there is a clear documented disinfection policy indicating suitable concentrations, contact times and applications for all disinfection requirements within group. Guidance on the selection and use of disinfectants is given on the Departmental Safety Website.
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Autoclaving
General
- Autoclave bag holders must be appropriate for the laboratory facility and type of material to be autoclaved. Laboratories handling pathogens must use either an autoclaveable bin or traditional autoclave bag stand (with or without foot operated lid). Standard plastic bins are only acceptable for work activities involving non-pathogenic organisms operating at Containment Level 1, and these should be periodically disinfected. To avoid unnecessary problems with contamination, plastic bins should be used without manually operated lids, unless required for containment of materials such as GM seed material.
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- Commercial autoclave bags displaying the biohazard symbol must be used for disposal of solids contaminated with biological agents.
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- Bags must not contain any sharps, loose cocktail sticks
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- Waste must be contained in double autoclave bags to reduce chances of bags splitting/being punctured
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- Items must be carefully placed in yellow sacks to ensure the plastic is not punctured or damaged. Particular care should be taken when disposing of pipettes and pipette tips as these may puncture the bag. It is recommended that a primary container (e.g. Disp-Safe jars) is used and placed in the bag when full to avoid bags being punctured by pipette tips.
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- Bags must not be overfilled (can be filled up to approx 3/4 capacity)
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- Only trained authorised users can operate departmental autoclaves
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- Bags must be taped at the neck with autoclave tape and an opening left for steam to penetrate
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- Bags must be labelled with lab. group / lab. area before autoclaving and final disposal
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- Bags must not be left for collection by cleaners and MUST NOT be left anywhere else other than the designated autoclave treatment room and waste collectioin point
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Waste containing Hazard Group 1 and 2 organisms
- Autoclaved waste from work activities involving the use of hazard group 1 and 2 organisms goes into the 'offensive waste' stream after placing in 'offensive waste bags' ('tiger bags')
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- Bags containing autoclaved waste should be put directly into the large 'offensive waste' bins, located between D and F wings, either by the autoclave and glassware staff or by independent autoclave users.
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- If the waste is transported to the central autoclave facilities, robust, leak proof containers should be used
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Waste containing Hazard Group 3 organisms
- Autoclaved waste from activities involving the use of Hazard Group 3 organisms is treated within the CL3 lab or lab suite before disposing via the clinical waste stream and treated by incineration
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GM Plant Material
- Autoclaved GM plant material is deposited at the University's compost site. In the event of a problem with the autoclaves, low level GM horticultural waste disposal should be organised by prior arrangement through 'SRCL' (one of the University's registered waste disposal contractors)
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Bones, organs and any other human or animal tissues/cells
- In general, bones, organs and any other tissues from either humans or animals must be double wrapped in two yellow incineration bags (available from Biology Stores) for disposal unless they fall into any of the groups listed below in which case they must be sealed in a yellow incineration bin(available from Biology Stores) for disposal:
- material with liquid associated with it which may leak from the bags
- material with sharp edges which may puncture the bags
- material that is recognisable and of a sensitive nature
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- Infected material, or material that is suspected of being infected should be rendered safe by autoclaving before incineration by contractors. Users of the central departmental autoclave facility must label bags, stating contents (e.g. blood) and inform the senior autoclave technician. Alternatively, infected material can be disposed of in a yellow incineration bin and disposed of as infectious waste material.
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- The waste containers / bags must be taken to Biology Stores for disposal
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- Contact David Nelson for advice if disposing of potentially infectious material
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Animal Bedding
Bedding Material
- Uncontaminated animal bedding must be disposed of via the offensive waste (tiger bag) or ‘orange bag’ (alternative treatment) route
- Bedding contaminated, or potentially contaminated, with infectious agents should be autoclaved before final disposal as ‘orange bag’ (alternative treatment) or ‘yellow bag’ (incineration) waste
- Bedding contaminated with drug materials must be disposed of via the ‘yellow bag’ (incineration) route of disposal
- Bags to be fastened with a cable tie before disposal in the external bins
- Do not overfill to ensure they can be handled safely (an individual handling a bag must not exceed their own limits).
Animal carcasses
- Animal carcasses should be placed into appropriate gauge yellow plastic bags. When full, they should be securely closed and labelled. Carcasses and large quantities of animal tissue should be stored in cold storage (fridge or freezer) until just prior to collection
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