OHS026
Safe Work Procedure
Faculty/Division
School/ Divisional Unit
Medicine
School of Medical Sciences
Document number
SOMS.GBD SWP 031
Initial Issue date
20/04 /09
Current version
1.0
Current Version
Issue date
20-04-2010
Next review date
20-04-2013
The Writing Safe Work Procedures Guideline (OHS027) should be consulted to assist in the completion of this
form.
Safe Work Procedure Title and basic description
Title: Waste Management
Description: The protocol describes the disposal of common laboratory waste.
Associated risk assessment title and location: RA Waste management 015 located in room 209B
Describe the activity or process
There are many different categories of waste within the laboratory and each categories of waste is disposed in a specific way. All
staff and students should read and become familiar with the Universities policy on waste, “Laboratory Hazardous Waste Disposal
Procedure”. This policy can be found at: http://www.hr.unsw.edu.au/ohswc/ohs/ohs_waste.html . Outlined below are the different
types of waste found within a laboratory and the disposal method.
Domestic waste – General waste only. Non-contaminated waste, (paper, boxes, plastic (non-scientific disposables) that have not
been in contact with chemical, biological, radiation or other hazardous substances. No gloves. This waste is placed into a grey bin
labeled “Domestic Waste” and is collected by cleaning contractors daily.
Sharps - Needles, glass pipettes, contaminated glassware is to be placed into the yellow sharps containers. Once the container is
full, the lid is securely closed (as per instructions on container), transported to the basement (biological collection point) and placed
in the large yellow ‘sulo’ bins. These large bins are removed by chemical waste contractors.
Broken glass – This waste includes broken glass that is NOT contaminated. This waste is placed into a white 20L plastic container.
When the container is full, please notify Renee Szokolai, who will arrange collection of the container.
Biological and general laboratory waste – Waste is collected in two autoclavable plastic bags, housed in a puncture-proof
container. This waste is taken off-site for incineration (therefore NO chemical waste or combustible products are allowed). No liquids,
other than residual liquids are to be placed into this waste category. When the bin is full, the opening of the bag is closed with tape
and the bag is labeled as follows:
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Safe Work Procedure
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
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Once labeled the waste is transported to the WW basement or Level 2 depot adjacent to the lift foyer and placed in the large yellow
‘sulo’ bins. Please note: the outer autoclavable plastic bag, must display the biological waste symbol (designating it as a biological
hazard).
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NOTE: Biological waste contaminated with GMO’s or live microorganisms MUST be decontaminated by either steam
sterilization or chemical treatment (bleach) BEFORE disposal as biological waste
Solid and Liquid Chemicals: Liquid chemicals are to be collected in plastic containers. For large quantities of liquid waste, 15L drums
are available from BABS store, smaller quantities can be collected in a 500ml media bottle or a 50ml Falcon tube (whichever is more
suitable). These containers are to be clearly labeled with the chemicals that are contained. Please Note: A lot of the liquid chemical
waste that is collected within the laboratory consists of mixed chemicals. This is fine, so long as these chemicals are compatible. If
you are unsure if two certain chemicals can be mixed, it is best to segregate them into two separate containers. If you mix more than
one chemical, please ensure that ALL the components of the waste are written on the label. Waste is collected periodically by
chemical waste contractors. If you have a volatile waste that needs to be disposed of quickly, please see Renee Szokolai.
Cytotoxic Waste: All cytotoxic waste is collected in purple cytotoxic containers. At all times there are two collection points within the
lab; one in the main lab, near the microwave and a second one located in the Tissue Culture Room. For sharps containing cytotoxic
residues, a small cytotoxic sharps bin is located on the floor opposite the sinks. When the container/s are full, please secure the lid
and transport the containers to the basement for collection. The containers need to be placed in the large purple wheelie-bin. This
bin SHOULD be KEPT LOCKED at ALL times, the keys to this bin is kept in the key cupboard in Rm502. New cytotoxic containers
can be found in Rm502A, please notify Renee Szokolai when you take the second last container.
List all resources required including plant,
chemicals, personal protective clothing and
equipment, etc
Sharps containers
Broken glass containers
Plastic containers for liquid waste (various sizes)
Large puncture-proof containers (biological waste)
Autoclavable plastic bags
Sticky tape
Markers to label waste
List potential hazards and risk controls including
specific precautions required
There is a potential hazard of spilling chemical waste – as a precaution all chemical liquid waste is bunded into a suitable plastic
container. There is also a chemical spill kit located within the laboratory to assist with the cleanup of chemical spills. Every chemical
within the laboratory has a MSDS and all staff members are familiar with these and the special consideration and precautions
needed when working with certain chemicals.
Spillage of Biological waste – as a precaution all waste in double contained at all times and housed in a puncture proof container.
List emergency shutdown instructions
List clean up and waste disposal requirements
In the Lab, all the wastes are collected separately:
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For chemical waste, dispose in chemical waste bin.
For biological waste, dispose in biological waste bin.
For human tissue contaminated waste, dispose in autoclaved bin.
For broken glasses, dispose in glass waste bin.
For sharps, dispose in sharp bin.
For liquid chemical waste, dispose in chemical waste bottle.
For radiation waste, dispose in radiation waste bin with date, radioactive volume and Lab number
on the bag.
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Date Effective: 01/01/2007
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List legislation, standards and codes of practice used
in the development of the SWP
NSW OHS Act 2000
NSW OHS Regulation 2001
Australia Dangerous Goods Code
Code of Practice for the Labeling of Workplace Substances
AS/NZS 2243.2:2006. Safety in laboratories. Part 2: Chemical aspects
Australian Standard AS2243.7-1991. Safety in laboratories. Part 7: Electrical Aspects.
AS/NZS 2161.1:2000 Occupational Protective Gloves – Selection, Use and Maintenance
Safe Work Procedure Form (OHS026)
UNSW Hazardous Waste Disposal Procedure
Supervisory approval, training, and review
Supervisor: Prof E Burcher
Signature:
Plant custodian:
Signature
List competency required – qualifications, certificates, licencing, training - eg course or instruction:
Training as per Training Needs Analysis, Induction into the Lab, Training on this SWP
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Page 3 of 3
Safe Work Procedure
Date Effective: 01/01/2007
Uncontrolled document when printed
Current Version: 1.2, 15/08/2007