ohsrm PART B
School of Molecular Bioscience
Hazardous procedure: Disposal of biological wastes
Step 3. Assess the risk
Assess the risk for the top priority hazards identified in PART A ie., begin with those rated 1, then 2 etc.
Ref. #
1
2
3
4
5
DISPOSING OF HAZARDOUS BIOLOGIGAL WASTE
Basic hazard is that of infection of worker with pathogenic microorganisms
in sample
Task: Placing solid biological waste into autoclave bags and taking to the
autoclave
Task: Placing liquid biological waste into autoclavable bottles, and taking
to the autoclave.
Task: Decanting bleached human blood / animal blood / tissue culture /
bacterial cultures into 5L or 15L labeled polypropylene drums and taking
to Clinical Waste bin in rm 225 for storage/disposal.
Task: Taking autoclaved sharps bins containing sharps or blood filled
vacuvettes to Clinical Waste bin in rm 225 for storage/disposal.
Priority
4
Identification
Date
17/3/2010
5
17/3/2010
5
17/3/2010
5
17/3/2010
5
17/3/2010
What makes it hazardous? Consult with the workers to find out which factors are relevant:

The physical activity required
Physical exertion required when lifting filled 15L polypropylene drums

The work environment
Rm 225 can become congested and filled with noxious. Bleached
items might react with other stored waste if spills occur.

The nature of the hazard itself
Wastes might harbor infectious microbes. Bleach fumes are
hazardous. Sharps bins can leak

The individual(s) involved
Training in clinical practices and dealing with human blood and other
biological waste is needed.

Other risk factors or comments
Room 225 may contain many unfamiliar hazardous waste items.
Record the names of those consulted when assessing the risk
Fiona Atkinson, Peter Kerr, Joe Dimauro, Jenny Phuyal, Zia Ahmad, Angela Nikolic, Craig
Jackson, Nick Coleman
Date
17/3/2010
Step 4. Control the risk(s)
Control the risks(s) by addressing the risk factors found in Step 3.
Consider the hierarchy of hazard control and record what controls will be used in the short term and longer
term. Record also who is responsible for implementing the control(s) and the due by date(s).
Describe the risk control(s)
Attend any Biohazard Safety Courses approved by OHSIM. Read
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) of decontamination solutions
e.g. hypochlorite, Viraclean, Decon 90. Comply with MSDS.
Wear gloves, enclosed shoes, lab coat, facemask or goggles when
bleaching or decanting bleached blood or other biological waste.
Use the correct concentration of bleach (0.5% active chlorine content
is standard, but ask your supervisor), and make fresh bleach solutions
at least once each week (bleach goes “off” quickly, becoming inactive)
Use a fume cupboard. Don’t inhale vapours.
Don’t mix biological waste (agar, blood or tissue culture medium) with
chemical waste. Have 12.5% sodium hypochlorite handy in case of
spills and absorbing material to contain the spill. Be familiar with the
Spills Kit supplied by SMB.
Who is responsible for
implementation
Individual researcher
and supervisor
Due by
date
21/4/2010
Individual researcher
and supervisor
Individual researcher
and supervisor
21/4/2010
Individual researcher
and supervisor
Regarding SOLID biological waste- Place labeled autoclavable
Hazardous Waste Bags into a secondary container (bin) when
transporting to the autoclave -in case they leak.
Individual researcher
and supervisor
Use a trolley to transport the 15L labeled, sealed waste
(polypropylene) drums to room 225. Store them away from reactive
waste chemicals. Lock room 225 when you leave.
Individual researcher
and supervisor
21/4/2010
Develop and display (in the laboratory) a Standard Operating
Procedure (SOP) for disposing of hazardous biological waste.
SMB Safety
Committee, researcher
and supervisor
Individual researcher
and supervisor
Individual researcher
and supervisor
21/4/2010
Read and follow SOP guidelines
If any serious incidents occur isolate the area, warn immediate
personnel to keep away and call: Robert Czolij xt 16941, Zia Ahmad xt
12224 or Security Services xt 13333 (or emergency 0-000).
21/4/2010
21/4/2010
Record the names of those consulted when deciding on risk control measures
Fiona Atkinson, Peter Kerr, Joe Dimauro, Jenny Phuyal, Zia Ahmad, Angela Nikolic, Craig Jackson, Nick
Coleman
PART B completed by: R. Czolij
Date:
17/3/2010