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EduSafe Policies and Procedures @ Curtin

DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS MEDICAL WASTE

1. POLICY

1.1 Policy Statement

Hazardous medical waste generated by Schools of the University must be safely and correctly disposed.

1.2 Policy Objectives

1.2.1 To safeguard the health and safety of staff, students and visitors in line with the University's policy on occupational health and safety.

1.2.2 To meet the University's obligations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984, the Poisons Act 1964, the Radiation Safety Act 1975, the Australian Universities Academic Staff (Contract of Employment and Other Matters) Interim Award 1988, the Australian Universities Academic Staff (Conditions of Employment) Award 1988, the Curtin University of Technology Agreement on Enterprise Bargaining (Academic Staff) 1997, and the Curtin University of Technology General Staff Enterprise Agreement 1997, and as amended from time to time.

1.2.3 To safeguard staff, students and visitors against contamination from hazardous medical waste.

1.3 Definitions

In this Policy Statement

"Cytotoxins" means materials which are carcinogenic, cytotoxic, mutagenic and/or teratogenic and include, but is not limited to, sharps, syringes, intravenous appliances, ampoules, vials, gauze, gloves and swabs either containing or used in work involving cytotoxic substances.

"Hazardous medical waste" means any substance, mixture of substances and/or equipment which has no further economic use and, if disposed of untreated to the land or into water or the air, will be potentially harmful to humans or the environment by reason of their chemical, biological or physical properties.

"Sharps" means objects or devices having acute rigid corners, edges, points or protuberances capable of cutting or penetrating the skin.

2. GUIDELINES

2.1 General Principles

2.1.1 Responsibilities of Heads of Schools

  1. Heads of Schools, or their appointed nominee(s) are responsible for ensuring that hazardous medical waste generated by their Schools are correctly disposed of in accordance with the provisions of this policy.
  2. Heads of Schools, or their appointed nominee(s) are responsible for ensuring that all staff who handle hazardous medical waste are adequately trained in handling and disposing of such waste.
  3. The appointment of nominees must be made in writing and a copy sent to the Director, Workplace Relations, Staff Services as formal notification.
  4. Heads of School will be responsible for the implementation of the University's policy on the Disposal of Hazardous Medical Waste within their Schools.

2.1.2 Protective Clothing

Hazardous medical waste must be handled only by persons wearing the appropriate protective clothing in accordance with the Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing policy and procedures contained in the Occupational Health and Safety Policies and Procedures manual.

2.1.3 Handling and Containment of Hazardous Medical Waste

  1. The handling of hazardous medical waste and the number of persons coming into contact with such waste must be strictly controlled. In order to reduce the possibility of exposure to the waste, the number of handlers must be restricted to the minimum required.
  2. Containment of hazardous medical waste must take place as soon as possible after use. Preferably, hazardous medical waste will be placed into the appropriate disposal containers at the place of use. Where the medical waste contains genetic material, containment will be in accordance with the physical containment guidelines described in the Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee's publication, Guidelines for the Storage, Transport and Disposal of Medical Waste.

2.2 Disposal of Sharps

2.2.1 Separation from other Waste

All sharps must be kept separate from other waste and must be disposed of as soon as possible.

2.2.2 Suitable Containers

All sharps must be placed in a suitable container immediately after use. The container must be clearly labelled "SHARPS ONLY" and must comply with the Guidelines for the Storage, Transport and Disposal of Medical Waste issued by the Health Department of Western Australia.

2.3 Disposal of Drugs

2.3.1 Suitable Containers

  • Pharmaceutical waste containers approved by the Pharmaceutical Services Branch of the Health Department of Western Australia must be used for the disposal of all drugs.
  • Approved pharmaceutical waste containers which are ready for disposal must be placed in a designated pick up place ready for removal by the approved waste disposal contractor.

2.3.2 Collection by Authorised Department

All drugs which are listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Poisons Act 1964 must be collected and/or disposed of by the Pharmaceutical Services Branch of the Health Department of Western Australia. Under no circumstances are these drugs to be collected and/or disposed of by others.

2.4 Disposal of Cytotoxins

2.4.1 Correct Handling of Cytotoxins

  • The disposal of material used with cytotoxins must not involve cutting, bending or any other unnecessary manipulation which could release aerosols or result in the splatter of cytotoxins.
  • Unless manipulation of needles is essential for a procedure, needles must not be clipped, broken or recapped.

2.4.2 Suitable Containers

  • As soon as possible after use, all cytotoxic waste must be disposed of into a suitably labelled, non-reactive container which complies with the Guidelines for the Storage, Transport and Disposal of Medical Waste issued by the Health Department of Western Australia.
  • This container must be kept separate from containers used for sharps, pharmaceuticals and infectious waste.

2.5 Disposal of Infectious Waste

All infectious waste will be disposed of in accordance with the Guidelines for the Storage, Transport and Disposal of Medical Waste issued by the Health Department of Western Australia. In addition, the following points must be observed.

  • All samples, remains, disposable equipment, animal carcasses, tissue, fluids, faeces and bedding must be regarded as being contaminated after use.
  • All contaminated waste material must be sterilised, preferably by autoclaving, before disposal.
  • Contaminated waste material will be disposed of by incineration where practicable.
  • Solid contaminated materials must not be placed in waste bins.
  • Cultures or fluids which may contain viable organisms must not be poured into sinks or drains.

2.6 Disposal of Radioactive Research Waste

The disposal of radioactive research waste is subject to the Radiation Safety Act 1975 and attendant Regulations. Therefore, such disposal must be conducted in accordance with the requirements laid down in the following.

  • Radiation Safety (General) Regulations (1983)
  • Code of Practice for the Disposal of Radioactive Wastes Arising From Medical and Research Use in Western Australia, published by the Health Department of Western Australia
  • Code of Practice for the Disposal of Radioactive Wastes by the User (1985), published by the National Health and Medical Research Council
  • Radiation Safety policy and procedures formulated by Curtin University of Technology

2.7 Related Legislation, Policies and Regulations

Western Australian Government Legislation - Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 - Poisons Act 1964 - Radiation Safety Act 1975

Western Australian Government Regulations - Radiation Safety (General) Regulations (1983)

Health Department of Western Australia - Guidelines for the Storage, Transport and Disposal of Medical Waste - Code of Practice for the Disposal of Radioactive Wastes Arising From Medical and Research Use in Western Australia

Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee - Guidelines for Small Scale Genetic Manipulation Work

National Health and Medical Research Council - Code of Practice for the Disposal of Radioactive Wastes by the User (1985)

Curtin - General Policies and Procedures manual - Biosafety Committee.

Occupational Health and Safety Policy and Procedures manual (to be published) - Biological Hazards - Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing - "Radiation Safety" - Safety in Animal Houses - Safety in Laboratories.

2.8 Responsible Officer

The Director, Workplace Relations is the responsible officer for the control and administration of the University's policy on the Disposal of Hazardous Medical Waste.

2.9 Authority for Approving Amendments to the Policy and Guidelines on the Disposal of Hazardous Medical Waste

The Academic Senate is the authority for approving amendments to the University's policy and guidelines on the Disposal of Hazardous Medical Waste.

2.9.1 Inclusion of Policy Statement in Policy Manual

Once approved by the Academic Senate, the policy statement on the Disposal of Hazardous Medical Waste will be included in the Occupational Health and Safety Policy and Procedures manual.

2.9.2 Endorsement of Proposed Amendments by Occupational Safety and Health Policy Committee

Any proposed amendments to this policy should be endorsed by the Occupational Safety and Health Policy Committee and the Biosafety Committee with consultation and agreement from the Health and Safety Representatives committees prior to presentation to the Academic Senate for approval.

2.10 Effective Date

The policy on the Disposal of Hazardous Medical Waste came into effect immediately upon being approved by Council, being 27 November 1996.

2.11 Review of Policy

The policy on the Disposal of Hazardous Medical Waste will be reviewed every two years by the Director, Workplace Relations, the Occupational Safety and Health Policy Committee and the Biosafety Committee, and the outcome of the review will be reported to the Academic Senate.

3. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

3.1 Authority for Approving Amendments to the Administrative Procedures on the Disposal of Hazardous Medical Waste

The Occupational Safety and Health Policy Committee and the Biosafety Committee are the authority for approving amendments to the administrative procedures of the University's policy on the Disposal of Hazardous Medical Waste.

Approved - C 263/96 (27/11/96) – Appendix 7 to Council minutes
7/12/00 – titles updated.
1/1/00 – approval authority updated [URB 95/00 (5/12/00, effective 1/1/00)].
j:\Policies\Old Format\Disposal of Hazardous Medical Waste\Current Version\2001 – Disposal of Hazardous Medical Waste – 1 January 2001

 

 

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