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WASTE SPILLS

Biohazardous waste spills must be cleaned up immediately unless unsafe to do so. Clean -up and decontamination must be carried out in accordance with the written operating procedures of the laboratory and in accordance with Howard University, local and federal regulations.

Biohazards spill kits must be in place before any work is done with biohazardous agents. Kits can be commercially obtained or assembled and labeled by the laboratory supervisor. Spill kit components include an open back protective cover gown (such as a surgical gown), shoe covers, an eye shield and mask, red BIOHAZARDOUS bags, latex gloves, liquid absorbent, a scoop or shovel, antimicrobial hand wipes and germicidal surface cleaner and wipes (paper towels, etc.). All staff must know where the kit is stored and how to properly use it.

In instances where spills resulted in/ or suspected to have resulted in exposure to an infectious agent, an accident report is required to be filled out with notification to one=s Department Chairman, University Security and the Biosafety Committee. In the latter case, medical advise or treatment must also be sought with Employee Health.

AUTOCLAVE TESTING PROGRAM

An autoclave testing program must be routinely administered according to the manufacturer >s recommendations. Such tests may consist of culture, tape color change or other recommended procedure. Autoclave testing, repair and use records must be properly maintained. Autoclaves designated for decontamination are required to undergo annual testing by Environmental Services designated personnel.

TRAINING

All new employees using biohazardous material shall be instructed on biohazardous waste procedures and fully knowledgeable of the applicable safety practices in this document. All employees must also be provided with continuing education on waste management policies and procedures. Written training records are required (identifying topic, training date(s) and name and signature trainees). Retraining must be carried out more frequently if required.

Training Course objectives must include the following:

1. The epidemiology, symptoms, means of transmission and prevention or bloodborne diseases (HIV and HBV) and/or other specific diseases for which the employee is at risk in the performance of work.

2. Preventive medical options such as Hepatitis B and Rabies vaccination.

3. Description of tasks which pose risks of infection and means of avoiding exposure.

4. Description of signs and symbols used to identify infectious or contaminated waste.

5. Spill response and procedures to follow if an injury or exposure occurs.

CENTRALLY SUPPORTED SERVICES FOR BIOHAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL

BIOHAZARDOUS SUPPLIES

A limited stock of biohazardous supplies may be obtained from Central Receiving. Laboratories are also expected to purchase such items in advance of the time needed from safety supply venders. A list of such venders may be obtained from Dr. Doris Hughes at (202)806-5905.

BIOHAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION BINS

Bin locations are as follows:

These sites are for the disposal of nonautoclaved, nonchemical, nonradioactive biohazardous nonsharps waste and nonchemical, nonradioactive contaminated or decontaminated biohazardous sharps.. These sites also provide a back-up support system for disposal of biohazardous waste wherein autoclaving was prohibited or when sterilizer malfunction or failure prevents waste decontamination

Waste must be properly contained and labeled (Site of waste generation, name of supervisor, date of disposal, quantity and identification of disposed material). Individuals depositing waste must fill out a BIOHAZARDOUS WASTE FORM to be deposited in the form box adjacent the waste bin. Refuse personnel must retrieve and submit waste forms with waste at the time of delivery to the environmental waste management office at the hospital. Personnel picking up waste for transport to the hospital must also be knowledgeable regarding BIOHAZARDOUS risks and be properly attired to prevent exposure.

Waste storage sites must be kept clean and vermin free at all times. Building Safety Officers must inspect storage areas on a routine basis to assure that areas are clean and that bins are not overfilled. Such areas must also be marked with the Universal BIOHAZARDOUS Symbol and the warning words as well as "BIOHAZARDOUS Waste Storage"