Medical Waste Management Plan

Biohazard bag means a disposable film bag used to contain medical waste. The color of the bag shall be red, except when yellow bags are used to further segregate trace chemotherapy waste and white bags are used to further segregate pathology waste. The bag shall be marked with the international biohazard symbol. Additionally, the bags shall be labeled as having met both the ASTM D1709 and D1922 for tearing and impact resistance.

Medical waste means any biohazardous, pathology, pharmaceutical, or trace chemotherapy waste, including all of the following:

• Biohazardous waste includes regulated medical waste, clinical waste or biomedical waste from the treatment of a human or animal suspected of being infected with a pathogen or containing a highly communicable disease.
• Laboratory waste, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
  
  
  • Human or animal specimen cultures from medical and pahtology labories.
  • Cultures and stocks of infectious agents from research and industrial laboratories.
  • Wastes from teh producation of bacteria, virsues, spores, discarded live and attenuated vaccines used in human health care or research, discarded animal vaccines, including Brucellosis and Contagious Ecthyma, as identified by the department, and culture dishes and devices used to transfer, inocualte, and mix cultures.

• Pathology Waste, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
  • Human surgery specimens or tissues removed at surgery or autopsy, which are suspected by the attending physician and surgeon or dentist of being contaminated with infectious agents known to be contagious to humans.
  • Animal parts, tissues, fluids or carcasses suspected by the attending veterinarian of being contaminated with infectious agents known to be contagious to humans.

• Pharmaceutical waste means a pharmaceutical including trace chemotherapy waste, that is a waste.
• Sharps waste means a device that has acute rigid corners, edges, or protuberances capable of cutting or piercing, including, but not limited to, hypodermic needles, hypodermic needles with syringes, blades, needles with attached tubing, acupuncture needles, root canal files, broken glass items used in health care such as Pasteur pipettes and blood vials contaminated with biohazardous waste, and any item capable of cutting or piercing from trauma scene waste. Plastic pipette tips are not classified as sharps waste.
• Trace chemotherapeutic waste means waste that is contaminated through contact with, or having previously contained, chemotherapeutic agents, including, but not limited to, gloves, disposable gowns, towels, and intravenous solution bags and attached tubing that are empty.
• Trauma scene waste means waste that is a regulated waste, and that has been removed, is to be removed, or is in the process of being removed, from a trauma scene.
• Waste, which at the point of transport from the generator’s site, at the point of disposal, or thereafter, contains recognizable fluid blood, fluid blood products, containers or equipment containing blood that is fluid, or blood from animals known to be infected with diseases which are highly communicable to humans.
• Waste containing discarded materials contaminated with excretion, exudation, or secretions from humans or animals that are required to be isolated by the infection control staff, the attending physician and surgeon, the attending veterinarian, or the local health officer, to protect others from highly communicable diseases or diseases of animals that are highly communicable to humans.

Sharps container means a rigid puncture-resistant container used in patient care or research activities used for the collection of discarded medical needles or other sharps. Sharps containers, including those used to containerize trace chemotherapeutic wastes, shall not be lined with a plastic bag or inner liner.

Medical waste is generated through activities in the following University locations: Student Health Center, Sciences & Innovation (SI), Social and Behavioral Services (SBS), and the Athletics Department. This Plan establishes work practices for waste accumulation, segregation and collection. Approximately 175 pounds per month of medical waste is generated by the University.

Student Health Center

Medical wastes are generated through patient care and clinical laboratory activities conducted during normal business hours. The bulk of this waste stream contains sharps and associated sharps materials. Other sources include articles contaminated with blood and bodily fluids.

Sharps shall be discarded into rigid sharps containers. Other wastes meeting the medical waste definition shall be segregated and discarded into a rigid, properly labeled receptacle lined with a biohazard bag, located in laboratory, patient care and exam rooms. The receptacles shall have self- closing lids (i.e., foot-pedal activated).

Biohazard bags containing any amount of waste shall be collected DAILY and taken to the Medical Waste Storage Area located in the Student Health Center. There, they shall be stored in the large, properly labeled drums. Contents in the drums shall be transferred to the properly labeled freezer when full or weekly, whichever comes first.

Sharps containers, when two-thirds full, shall be collected, shut, sealed with tape, and taken to the Medical Waste Storage Area located in the Student Health Center.

Pharmaceutical waste generated from the Pharmacy is disposed of into a single-use pharmaceutical waste container. This waste container remains secured in Pharmacy until picked up by the medical waste hauler.

Science & Innovation  - Biology Department

Medical wastes, including sharps, biohazardous waste, and pathology waste are generated by biological and clinical science laboratory activities.

Sharps shall be discarded into rigid sharps containers. Other wastes meeting the medical waste definition shall be segregated and discarded into a rigid, properly labeled receptacle lined with a biohazard bag located in each laboratory. Each receptacle shall have a lid and the lid shall be secured whenever the receptacles are not actively being filled.

Biohazard bags containing any amount of waste shall be collected WEEKLY and taken to the Medical Waste Storage Area located in SI Room 255B. There, they shall be stored in the properly labeled freezer. Biohazardous waste bags shall be separated from pathology waste by a physical separator within the freezer.

Sharps containers, when two-thirds full, shall be collected, shut, sealed with tape, and taken to the Medical Waste Storage Area located in SI Room 255B.

Sciences & Innovation - Chemistry Department

Medical wastes including sharps are generated by chemistry laboratory activities.

Sharps shall be discarded into sharps containers. Sharps containers, when two-thirds full, shall be collected, shut, sealed with tape, and taken to the Medical Waste Storage Area located in SI Room 334B.

Biohazard bags containing any amount of waste shall be collected WEEKLY and taken to the Medical Waste Storage Area located in SI room 334B. There, they shall be stored in the properly labeled freezer.

Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) - Nursing Skills Laboratory

Medical wastes including sharps are generated during courses designed to teach skills such as suturing.

Sharps containers, when two-thirds full, shall be collected, shut, sealed with tape, and taken to the Medical Waste Storage Area located in the Student Health Center.

Welch Hall (WH) - College of Health, Human Services, and Nursing

Medical wastes including sharps and biohazardous waste are generated in James Welch Hall (WH), Room B-365.

Sharps shall be discarded into rigid sharps containers. Other wastes meeting the medical waste definition shall be segregated and discarded into a rigid, properly labeled receptacle lined with a biohazard bag located in WH B-365. Each receptacle shall have a lid and the lid shall be secured whenever the receptacles are not actively being filled.

Biohazard bags containing any amount of waste shall be collected WEEKLY and taken to the Medical Waste Storage Area located in WH B-365. There, they shall be stored in the properly labeled freezer.

Sharps containers, when two-thirds full, shall be collected, shut, sealed with tape, and taken to the Medical Waste Storage Area located in WH B-365.

Athletics Department

Medical wastes are generated by athletic trainers who treat sport-related injuries including sharps and biohazardous waste.

Sharps shall be discarded into sharps containers. Wastes, other than sharps, meeting the medical waste definition shall be discarded into a rigid, properly labeled receptacle lined with a biohazard bag located in room GYM C-108, of the gymnasium. The receptacle shall have a self-closing lid (i.e., foot-pedal activated).

Biohazard bags containing any amount of waste shall be collected WEEKLY and taken to the Medical Waste Storage Area located in Athletics Department. There, they shall be stored in the properly labeled freezer.

Sharps containers, when two-thirds full, shall be collected, shut, sealed with tape, and taken to the Medical Waste Storage Area located in the Athletics Department.

Trauma Scene

University Police respond to campus medical emergencies. During these responses, medical waste may be generated.

Wastes meeting the medical waste definition shall be discarded into a biohazard bag, which shall be immediately taken to the Medical Waste Storage Area located in the Student Health Center. There, it shall be stored in the properly labeled freezer.

Medical waste shall be contained separately from other waste at the point of generation. Sharps waste must be collected in a rigid sharps containers. Employees shall not try to retrieve sharps from a sharps container. Once a sharps container is two-thirds full, it shall be shut and sealed with tape.

Biohazard bags, when full, are to be twisted and tied tightly. Bags may be hand-tied or tied with duct tape or a “zip tie”. Do not overfill the bag. Biohazard bags are to be placed for storage, handling, and transport in rigid containers with tight-fitting lids labeled with the words “Biohazardous Waste” or the word “Biohazard” and the international biohazard symbol on the lids and sides so as to be visible from any lateral direction.

All collected medical waste shall be stored in Medical Waste Storage Areas located in the SHC, SI, WH, and Athletics Department. There, it shall remain stored until collected by the authorized medical waste hauler, Thermal Combustion Innovators, Inc. (TCI), a Veolia company.

Wastes shall not be stored for more than 7 days in temperatures exceeding 32° F. This 7-day period begins once the waste is placed into its designated accumulation receptacle.

Waste shall not be stored for more than 30 days in the freezer. This 30-day period begins once waste placed into the freezer.

All medical waste shall be stored, handled or transported in containers that are rigid, leak resistant, and properly labeled with tight fitting covers that are kept clean and in good repair. It is not acceptable to hand carry waste bags. This is especially important for medical waste that is transported to the SHC. Medical waste including sharps containers must be transported to the SHC must be using a secondary container such as a 5-gallon bucket with a lid. The bucket must be labeled on the lid and all visible lateral sides. Buckets may be transported by hand or using a cart with wheels.

All reusable rigid receptacles used for accumulation, transportation and storage of medical waste shall be washed and decontaminated. This shall be performed within 7 days after noting the receptacle is visibly soiled. The approved method for decontamination is the use of an EPA registered disinfecting agent, following dilution and application suggestions provided by the manufacturer.

The medical waste storage areas shall be secured so as to prevent or deny access by unauthorized persons and identified with the following signage:

English: “Caution – Biohazardous Waste Storage Area Unauthorized Persons Keep Out”

Spanish: “Cuidado – Zona de Residuos Biologicos Peligrosos Prohiba La Entrada a Personas No Autorizadas”

Employees responsible for transporting medical waste should contact EHS at (310) 243-3000 to receive training on medical waste including transport and spill clean-up procedures.

The medical waste freezer capacity at the University can foreseeably maintain wastes generated through normal campus operations While it is highly unlikely that TCI would experience a business shut down, in the event of such a shut down, if it is determined that current capacity will be insufficient, an alternative hauler will be retained.

Laboratories working with biological materials should be equipped with the following spill kit supplies in case of a spill:

• Disinfectant such as bleach, prepared as a fresh 1:10 dilution with water
• Absorbent Materials such as paper towels
• Waste Containers such as biohazard bags and sharps containers
• Tools such as forceps, dustpan, and broom

If a spill of medical waste occurs, clear spill area of all personnel. Wait for any aerosols to settle before entering the spill area. Remove any contaminated clothing and place in biohazard bag. Wear a lab coat, safety goggles and gloves. Have the spill kit materials above ready to go before you start the clean-up. Perform the clean-up as follows:

• Cover spill with paper towels or other absorbent material containing disinfectant.
• Encircle the spill with disinfectant (if feasible and necessary), being careful to minimize aerosolization.
• Decontaminate and remove all items within spill area. Remove broken glassware with forceps or broom and dustpan and dispose in sharps container. Do not pick up any contaminated sharp object with your hands.
• Remove paper towels and any other absorbent material and dispose in biohazard bags.
• Apply disinfectant to the spill area and allow for at least 10 minutes contact time.
• Remove disinfectant with paper towels or other absorbent material and dispose of in biohazard bag.
• Wipe off any residual spilled material and reapply disinfectant before final clean up.
• Wipe equipment with equipment compatible disinfectant (e.g., non-corrosive). Rinse with water if necessary.
• Place all contaminated spill materials in biohazard bags for disposal.
• Re-open area to general use only after spill clean-up and decontamination is complete.
• Inform all personnel and laboratory supervisor about the spill and successful clean-up.

For additional spill clean-up support, please contact EHS at (310) 243-3000.

Medical waste hauling and treatment are provided by:

Certification of Information

EHS has prepared this Medical Waste Management Plan and certifies that the information provided is complete and accurate as of the date last updated, listed on the Plan. For questions regarding medical waste or this Plan, please contact:

CSUDH Environmental Health and Safety
1000 E Victoria Street Carson, CA 90747
(310) 243-3000