Biowaste Overview
What is Biological Waste?
- liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious materials;
- contaminated items that would release blood or other potentially infectious materials in a liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed;
- items that are caked with dried blood or other potentially infectious materials and are capable of releasing these materials during handling;
- contaminated sharps; and pathological and microbiological wastes containing blood or other potentially infectious materials.
- Biohazardous Waste - any waste which is generated in the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or animals.
Biowaste will be appropriately identified with the universal Biohazard symbol
. Biowaste is defined as liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious materials; contaminated items that would release blood or other potentially infectious materials in a liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed; items that are caked with dried blood or other potentially infectious materials and are capable of releasing these materials during handling; contaminated sharps; and pathological and microbiological wastes containing blood or other potentially infectious materials.
Regulated waste containers
Biowaste will be placed in containers that are closable, constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage of fluids during handling, storage, transport, or shipping. Receptacles for waste will be lined with plastic bags that are impervious to moisture and have sufficient strength to preclude ripping, tearing or bursting the waste filled bag under normal conditions of usage and handling. Plastic bags will be closed prior to removal to prevent spillage or protrusion during handling, storage, transport or shipping. If the outside contamination of the regulated waste container occurs, it shall be placed in a second similar container. Refer to WFUHS Biowaste Management Program.
Contaminated Sharps Containment and Discarding
§ Contaminated sharps shall be discarded immediately or as soon as feasible in containers that are:
· Closable
· puncture resistant
· leakproof on sides and bottom
· identified with a Biohazard symbol
§ Contaminated sharps containers during use shall be:
· easily accessible to personnel
· located close to the immediate area where sharps are used
· maintained upright and secured in a manner to prevent accidental tipping or spilling
· replaced before reaching the maximum fill line
§ When moving containers of contaminated sharps from the area of use, the containers shall be:
· closed prior to removal or replacement
· place in a secondary container if leakage is anticipated
Contaminated Non-sharps Containment and Discarding
Biowaste will be discarded directly into a biohazard labeled container or will be bagged at the point of use and taken directly to a Biohazard labeled receptacle.
Handling Reusable Sheets/Towels and Other Linens
Soiled linen shall be handled as little as possible. Soiled linen shall be bagged at the site of use and shall not be presorted or rinsed. All soiled linens will be considered contaminated and will be handled using Standard Precautions. Linen that is saturated with blood or other potentially infectious material to the point of leaking is first placed in a clear biohazard bag and then a secondary bag for return to the laundry.
Biohazard Labeling
Biohazard labels shall be affixed by a method that prevents the loss or unintentional removal. Biohazard labels shall:
Ø Be fluorescent orange or orange-red or predominately so with lettering or symbols in a contrasting color
Ø Contain the Biohazard symbol or the word “Biohazard”
§ Biohazard labels shall be affixed to the following:
Ø Containers of Biohazard waste
Ø Refrigerators or freezers containing blood, other potentially infectious material
Ø Containers used to store, transport or ship blood or other potentially infectious material
Ø Contaminated equipment that is being serviced or shipped
Ø Contaminated equipment should also have a label that indicates which portions of the equipment are contaminated
§ Individual containers of blood or other potentially infectious material that are placed in labeled container during storage, transport, shipment or disposal are exempted from the labeling requirement.