Environmental Health and Safety

(a) Laboratory wastes, including but not limited to, human or animal specimen cultures from medical and pathological laboratories; cultures or stocks of biohazardous materials from research, industrial, clinical and teaching laboratories; waste from production of biological agents; discarded live and attenuated vaccines, and culture dishes and devices used to transfer, inoculate, and mix cultures.

(b) Human surgery specimens or tissues removed at surgery or autopsy that are suspected of being contaminated with infectious agents known to be contagious to humans.

(c) Animal parts, tissues, fluids or carcasses suspected of being contaminated with infectious agents known to be contagious to humans.

(d) Waste, which at the point of transport from the generator's site, at the point of disposal, or thereafter, contains recognizable blood or blood products, containers or equipment containing blood or blood from animals known to be infected with diseases which are highly communicable to humans.

(e) Waste containing discarded materials contaminated with excretion, exudates or secretions from humans or animals that are required to be isolated to protect others from highly communicable diseases.

(f) Waste which is comprised of human surgery specimens or tissues which have been fixed in formaldehyde or other fixatives or contaminated through contact with or having previously contained chemotherapeutic agents, including but not limited to gloves, disposable gowns, towels and empty intravenous solution bags and attached tubing.

(g) Waste that is comprised of pharmaceuticals.

(a) Medical waste and hazardous waste is hazardous waste and is subject to regulations as specified in the statutes and regulations applicable to hazardous waste.

(b) Medical waste and radioactive waste is radioactive waste and is subject to regulation as specified in the statues and regulations applicable to radioactive waste.

(c) Medical waste, hazardous waste, and radioactive waste is radioactive mixed waste and is subject to regulation as specified in the statutes and regulations applicable to hazardous waste and radioactive waste.

(a) Hypodermic needles, syringes with hypodermic needles, blades, needles with attached tubing, not sharps unless there is a needle, acupuncture needles and root canal files.

(b) Glass items, such as Pasteur pipettes and blood vials contaminated with biohazardous waste, which are breakable.

(c) Any item capable of cutting or piercing that is contaminated with trauma scene waste.

(a) Assuring medical waste is stored, handled and disposed of according to this procedure.

(b) Training employees under their supervision on the proper handling and storage of medical waste and maintaining records of employee training.

(c) Following standard operating procedures and maintaining up to date documentation of all equipment monitoring.

(a) Developing campus requirements and guidelines, for medical waste that are consistent with applicable federal, state and local regulations and guidelines.

(b) Preparing, documenting and coordinating the implementation of SDSU's Medical Waste Management Plan in accordance with San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinance and the California Health and Safety Code.

(c) Approving specific on-site treatment and procedures (e.g., autoclaving or other approved sterilization techniques) used to render medical waste noninfectious.

(d) Performing audits of specific waste generating facilities or activities to assess compliance with this procedure.

(e) Providing proper biohazardous and sharps labels including generator address labels.

(a) Potentially biohazardous waste material must be securely contained within Biohazard Bags (“Red bags”) according to the following:

• Biohazardous waste must be segregated from other types of waste at the point of origin.
  
  
• Biohazardous waste must be in individually sealed disposable plastic red bags that are impervious to moisture and have strength sufficient to preclude ripping, tearing or bursting under normal handling conditions.
  
  
• Bags containing biohazardous waste must be red in color and be labeled either as “Biohazardous Waste” or with the international biohazard symbol and the word “BIOHAZARD.”
  
  
• Bags must be certified by the manufacturer to meet the minimum strength requirements of ASTM Standard D 1709-85.
  
  
• Bags must be securely tied so as to prevent leakage or expulsion of the contents during handling, transportation, or storage.
  
  
• Bags must be labeled with generator name: SDSU; address: 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182 and telephone number: 619-594-6778.
  
  

(b) Sharps (used needles, syringes or other objects having acute rigid corners or protuberances capable of cutting or piercing) shall be placed in containers that meet previously described criteria (Sharps container).

• Needle and syringe tips shall not be clipped prior to disposal.
  
  
• Needles and syringes shall not be recapped. The entire unit shall be placed in an approved sharps container immediately after use.
  
  

(c) Use of Secondary Containers

• All disposable biohazardous waste red bags and sharps containers must be placed in secondary containers such as pails, cartons, drums, dumpsters or bins for storage.
  
  
• Secondary containers must be leakproof, have tight-fitting covers and be kept clean and in good repair.
  
  
• Secondary containers must be labeled on the lid and sides with the words “Biohazardous Waste” or with the international biohazard symbol and the word “BIOHAZARD.”
  
  
• Reusable secondary containers must be easily cleanable and must be washed and decontaminated each time they are emptied unless they have been completely protected from contamination. The cleaning method should comply with applicable state and local regulations. (d) Storage enclosures for medical waste must be secured to deny access to unauthorized personnel. Exterior doors must be posted in both English and Spanish as follows:
  
  

CAUTION
BIOHAZARDOUS WASTE STORAGE AREA
UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS KEEP OUT

CUIDADO
ZONA DE RESIDUOS INFECTADOS
PROHIBIDA LA ENTRADA A PERSONAS NO AUTORIZADAS

(a) Biohazardous and sharps waste generated by SDSU must be disposed of by one of the following means:

1) Transfer off-campus by a registered hauler for disposal at a state-approved autoclave or incinerator.

2) In some cases, discharge into the sanitary sewer system may be acceptable for liquids after disinfection. Process needs to be approved by EHS and San Diego County. However, this type of disposal is discouraged.

(b) Recognizable human anatomical remains must be disposed of by off-campus incineration or interment at authorized facilities.

(a) Disposal area must be secured to deny access to unauthorized persons, animals, wind, rain, insects and rodents.

(b) If such waste is placed in a trash receptacle or compactor, such receptacle shall be LOCKED to prevent access to the contents by anyone other than authorized persons or refuse collection personnel.

(a) When wastes are to be autoclaved prior to disposal, they must be placed in either a single or double red bag that must in turn be placed in a clear autoclave bag that is labeled in the same manner required for red bags. More than one red bag may be placed in an autoclave bag.

(b) A written standard operating procedure (SOP) for each steam sterilizer should be prepared and followed. SOP should include time, temperature, pressure, type of waste, type of container(s), closure on container(s), pattern of loading, water content and maximum load quantity.

(c) Recording and/or indicating thermometers should be checked during each complete cycle to ensure the attainment of a temperature of 121oC (250oF) for one-half hour or longer, depending on quantity and compaction of the load, in order to achieve sterilization of the entire load. Thermometers shall be checked for calibration at least annually.

(d) Use of heat sensitive tape or other devices for each container that is processed to indicate the attainment of adequate sterilization conditions.

(e) Use of the biological indicator Bacillus stearothermophilus placed at the center of a load processed under standard operating conditions at least monthly to confirm the attainment of adequate sterilization temperature.

(f) Maintenance of records of procedures specified in (b), (c), and (e) above for a period of not less than three years.