Section 3.0 Safe Disposal of Hazardous Biological Waste

3.1) Introduction

The applicable portions of Section 1.0 shall be followed by all personnel in the handling of biohazard waste. The conditions and requirements of this Section 3.0 are in addition to applicable portions of Section 1.0.

All materials which meet the definition of a biohazard waste shall be collected, processed and disposed in accordance with the following procedures which have been developed to comply with applicable federal and state regulations. The disposal of biohazard waste is regulated in the State of Kansas by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. State of Kansas regulations may be found in K.A.R. 28-29-27.

The generator (lab, researcher, unit) is responsible for ensuring that all biohazard waste is disposed of in a manner which minimizes the risk to health, safety, or the environment. Kansas regulations do not allow for the disposal of biohazard waste through normal trash dumpsters, unless it has been processed to render it a non-biohazard.

Non-compliance with state regulations may cause the Kansas Department of Health & Environment to perform an inspection, prepare a written notice of violation, and assess potential monetary fines for violations. It also could result in an order to cease operation until non-compliance issues have been addressed, as well as other mandated safety accomplishments by KDHE.

Individual units (labs) generating biohazard waste are responsible for their actions (or in-actions) and will be held accountable by the University.

Contact the KU-EHS if you need assistance in determining whether your materials are considered to be biohazard waste, or have any other concerns.

3.2) Definitions

Important note: "contamination" and "contaminated" used in this chapter is restricted to potential contamination with biohazards. If the contamination also includes hazardous chemicals and/or radioactive materials, it is a "mixed" waste or contamination. The EHS office must be contacted for assistance before "mixed" contamination or waste is created or processed.

Biohazard - any biological material (i.e. plants, animals, microorganisms, or their by-products) that may present a potential risk to the health and well being of humans, animals or the environment.

Biohazard Decontamination - The use of physical or chemical means to remove, inactivate or destroy pathogens on a surface or item to the point where they are no longer capable of transmitting infectious particles and the item or surface is rendered safe, (no longer biohazardous) for handling, use, or disposal.

Biohazard Waste - Any biohazard to be disposed of (liquid, semi-liquid, or solid waste) which may contain potentially infectious agents that could cause disease or injury to humans or animals should they come in contact with the waste. This includes: medical waste; contaminated items that would, if compressed, release blood or other potentially infectious materials in a liquid or semi-liquid state; items that are caked with dried blood or other potentially infectious materials and are capable of releasing these materials during handling; contaminated sharps; pathological, microbiological, laboratory and any other wastes containing blood or other potentially infectious materials. {EXCEPTIONS: Any biological material which exhibits radioactivity or is mixed with chemicals shall be handled in accordance with applicable Radiation Procedures or Hazardous Waste Procedures.}

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS - pathogenic microorganisms that are present in blood (human or animal) and that can cause disease in humans or animals.

CONTAMINATED - For the purpose of this section 3.0, means the presence or reasonably anticipated presence of blood or other potentially infectious materials on an item or surface. This does not include chemical or radioactive contamination.

CONTAMINATED SHARPS - any contaminated (biohazard) object that can penetrate the skin including, but not limited to: needles, scalpels, broken glass, broken capillary tubes, and any other objects capable of skin penetration which may be contaminated.

OTHER POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS MATERIALS - any biological fluids; carcasses; unfixed biological tissues or organs; cell, tissue, or organ cultures, mediums or solutions; containing infectious agents capable of causing disease or injury to humans, animals, or plants should they come in contact with it.

PATHOGEN - any microorganism capable of causing disease.

3.3) Sources of Infectious Wastes

3.3.1) Operations that involve processing and/or analysis of specimens for identification, diagnosis, separation, or purification of cells or substances from human or animal blood and body fluids (which may or do contain infectious agents).

3.3.2) In vitro or in vivo methods for the propagation of pathogenic microorganisms/infectious agents.

3.3.3) Operations involving any handling of infected animal carcasses.

3.3.4) Production of biological products in which pathogenic microorganisms/infectious agents are used.

3.4) Two Major Principles Governing the Management of Infectious Wastes

3.4.1) Inactivation, at the earliest stages possible, of all infectious agents in the waste.

3.4.2) Total containment of the waste until inactivation has been accomplished and verified.

3.5) Inactivation of Infectious Waste

3.5.1) Establishment of Inactivation/Decontamination Procedures

The Supervisor shall:

3.5.1.1) Establish written procedures (unit specific Standard Operating Procedures) for the containment of infectious waste prior to inactivation and for effective inactivation of the waste.
- Note 1: This means that the selected procedure has been tested to be adequate for the inactivation of the waste. Documentation of this testing should be maintained with other survey and evaluation records. Direct testing for inactivation is frequently not possible. Where it is not possible, the methods used to measure the operational parameters must be verified initially and on a periodic interval thereafter. A written Quality Assurance program must be in place. (For example, in the case of autoclaves, maintenance of the accuracy of thermometers, pressure gauges, and timing mechanisms) There must be documented evidence for the adequacy of the selected values of the adjustable parameters for the type, configuration, nature, and volume of waste to be processed. See 3.4 below for examples of methods. The adequacy of any method for a particular situation, however, must be established.
  Note 2: This includes procedures for the prevention of the dispersal of aerosols or liquids during the processing of the materials by the proper use of coverings, seals and ventilation as necessary.
3.5.1.2) Include provisions in the SOP's for the segregation of all waste streams.
- Note: This means that hazardous chemical waste, radioactive waste, and infectious wastes are not to be mixed or placed in the same waste storage containers. If a waste is, of necessity, "mixed", written approval from EHS for the handling of that waste is required. If at all possible, experimental procedures which do not require the generation of mixed waste should be substituted for those that do.
3.5.1.3) Provide appropriate labels for containers of infectious waste and labels or clear indicators for treated (inactivated) waste.
- Note: The use of bags which change color when adequately autoclaved is an example of the use of "indicators".

3.5.2) Decontamination/Inactivation of Infectious Waste

Users shall:

3.5.2.1) Follow the unit specific procedures for the decontamination/inactivation of biohazard waste including carcasses with infectious agents. See 3.4 for examples of types of inactivation protocols.

3.6) Disposal of Biohazard Waste

3.6.1) Establishment of Unit Specific Disposal Procedures

Supervisors shall:

3.6.1.1) Establish unit specific Standard Operating Procedures for the disposal of biohazard waste as specified in this chapter.
3.6.1.2) Establish Standard Operating Procedures for the proper disposal of carcasses which may contain infectious agents and animal bedding materials in consultation with EHS and the Director of Animal Care.
- Note: Any infectious waste/carcasses that must be inactivated by incineration require Standard Operating Procedures for the transport of the waste to the incinerator in a safe manner and for the precautions that shall be taken in operating the incinerator.

3.6.2) Required Disposal Procedures