Disposal of Hypodermic Needles, Broken Glass, etc.
UNB Reference Number: 7828
Authorized by: E. Parr Johnston, President,
Effective Date: (Original Policy Dec. 1/78)
Revised: September 1998
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INTENT: To ensure that all users of items which may break the skin when contacted meet the requirements for safe handling and disposal.
HAZARD: In addition to the obvious hazard posed by regular glass, puncture wounds resulting from laboratory glass and “sharps” can increase exposure to chemical and infectious agents. Sharps include syringes and hypodermic needles, scalpel blades and clinical glass. Needle stick injury may result in increased risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens, such as Hepatitis B and HIV.
REGULATIONS: The disposal of sharps shall meet the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment “Guidelines for the Disposal of Biomedical Waste in Canada”.
POLICY: 1. Broken glass, fluorescent lighting tubes, sharps and other material likely to cause injury shall not be disposed of in regular garbage containers.
2. Separate waste containers shall be provided for broken glass, laboratory glass or lighting tubes and placed in the building’s designated area for disposal.
3. Laboratory glass shall not be recycled due to the possibility for chemical residue. Chemical bottles shall be rinsed of any chemical contamination; labels removed or defaced; evaporated in a fumehood; and placed uncapped in the building’s designated area for disposal.
4. All sharps from clinics and laboratories shall be collected in disposable CSA Standard containers which are yellow or red in colour and display the international biohazard symbol. Regular glass waste containers shall not be used for sharps. For disposal of sharps, complete the University Hazardous Waste Disposal Form and forward it to Campus Safety.
5. Sharps containers shall contain liquid disinfectant and be disposed of frequently. Autoclaving of filled sharps containers is not recommended.
6. The recapping of needles is prohibited. Needles shall not be clipped, bent or broken. Sharps shall not be retrieved from containers.
7. Clinical items contaminated with human blood or body fluids shall be disposed of in the sharps containers. Blood and body fluids shall be disposed of via sanitary sewer.
8. Sharps contaminated with nuclear substances shall be decontaminated or stored for radioactive decay prior to disposal in sharps containers.
9. Individuals who self-administer injections for medical reasons shall collect syringes and hypodermic needles in rigid, leak-proof containers which are sealed and disposed of through their physician or pharmacist.
For additional information on the handling and disposal of objects which may cause puncture wounds, contact the Safety Office.
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Biohazards
UNB Reference Number: 7835
Authorized by: E. Parr-Johnston, President,
Effective Date: (Original Policy Dec. 1/78)
Revised: April 2005
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INTENT: To ensure that all users of biohazardous material meet the Health Canada, Medical Research Council (MRC) and Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) guidelines.
DEFINITION: Biohazards refer to plant, animal and human pathogens including certain forms of recombinant DNA which cause, or are reasonably believed to cause, disease. Pathogenic organisms are classified into four risk groups based upon the possibility for severity of disease.
REGULATIONS: The use of all biohazardous material in University laboratories shall meet the requirements of the MRC/Health Canada publication “Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines” (2004) for safe handling, containment, facilities and training. The MRC and NSERC granting councils require adoption of these Guidelines for research funding.
POLICY:
1. The Biohazards Safety Committee acts on behalf of the Vice-President (Research) and is responsible for ensuring appropriate protocols and facilities are in place for the use of biohazardous material. The Committee meets periodically to review grant applications, procedures and facilities.
2. All applications for research funding must be accompanied by an “Application for Approval of Projects Involving Biohazards” which has been reviewed by the Biohazards Safety Committee and bears the signature of the applicant’s department chairperson.
3. Projects receiving Committee approval will be provided with a “Biohazards Containment Certification Report of the Biohazards Safety Committee” which is valid for two years and subject to an annual inspection of facilities.
4. The principal investigator is responsible for implementing a biosafety program in his/her laboratory including the use of appropriate biosafety techniques, provision of appropriate containment levels and training.
5. Containment facilities must be inspected and certified annually to the CSA Standard by a trained service technician. Records must be maintained.
IMPORTATION: Permits are required for the importation of all human, animal and plant pathogens into Canada. Permits for human pathogens may be requested from: Director, Office of Biosecurity, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L2, tel. : 613-957-1779. Permits for animal or plant pathogens may be requested from : Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 59 Camelot Drive, Nepean, Ontario K1A 0Y9, tel. : 613 952-8000. Permit applications must bear the signature of the applicant’s department chairperson and the University Purchasing Manager.
SHIPPING: The transportation of biohazardous material in Canada is regulated by the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act. Use of regular mail for shipment of pathogens is prohibited. Transportation by public carrier of Risk Group IV pathogens requires development of an Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP). Prior to placing an order with the supplier, an ERAP must be filed with the Director General, Transportation of Dangerous Goods Directorate, Transport Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5, tel. : 613-992-4624. Biohazardous material shall be shipped in CSA Standard packaging to prevent discharge during transport.
DISPOSAL:
1. All biohazardous waste shall be rendered harmless, or non-infectious, by chemical decontamination or heat sterilization (autoclaving) and taken to the building’s designated area for pick-up and disposal.
2. Biomedical waste, such as sharps contaminated with human blood and body fluids, shall be collected in CSA Standard containers and taken to the building’s designated area for pick-up and disposal.
INFORMATION: For application forms or contact with the Biohazards Safety Committee, contact the Office of Research Services.
For copies of the “Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines” or general information on biohazardous materials, contact the Safety Office.
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Radioactive Nuclear Substances
UNB Reference Number: 7836
Authorized by: John McLaughlin, President,
Effective Date: (Original Policy June 1982)
Revised: February 2006
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INTENT: To outline the safety and physical security measures for protection of nuclear substances and radiation devices when stored, processed, used or transported.
SCOPE: All users of ionizing radiation, including open and sealed nuclear substances, radiation-emitting devices (including X-ray generators) on both campuses.
HAZARD: Exposure to ionizing radiation in sufficient quantities is reported to pose increased risk of adverse health effects.
REGULATIONS: All nuclear substances shall be used in accordance with the conditions of the University licence issued by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). The CNSC is a federal regulatory agency assigned authority by the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (2000) to ensure the use of nuclear substances does not pose undue risk to health, safety and security of the public or the environment. The CNSC recommends that all radiation dose levels be kept as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA principle).
POLICY:
1. The Radiation Safety Committee is responsible for ensuring the use of nuclear substances adheres to license conditions as well as University policy and procedures as set out in the Radiation Safety Manual. The Committee reviews all permit applications to ensure appropriate levels of safety and security will be adhered to.
2. The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) is responsible for the day to day administration of the radiation safety program including the internal authorization system of permits. The RSO possesses the authority to stop any work that does not comply with license conditions.
3. New projects involving nuclear substances for which funding is being sought, shall be identified by the principal investigator to the offices of Research Services (ORS), Budget & Risk Management, and Environmental Health and Safety for appropriate review.
4. Prior to initiating any new project, change in existing experimental protocol or expiry of a previously approved permit, an application for a Radiation User Permit shall be submitted to the RSO for review by the Committee. Any proposal involving long-term acquisition of a sealed nuclear substance or radiation-emitting device shall include detailed specifications for storage as well as approval in principle from the administrative head of the department.
5. Prior to acquiring a sealed nuclear substance or radiation-emitting device, the Permit Holder shall address the issues of security, liability for transport, ownership and ultimate disposal with the vendor or lessor. If possible, a written agreement should be secured which would allow the University to return the nuclear substance to the original vendor or lessor at the expiry of a pre-determined term, or upon prior notice.
6. The Permit Holder is responsible for the safety and security of nuclear substances in his/her possession or in storage as well as for the supervision of all radiation users enrolled under his/her permit.
7. All Radiation Users shall successfully complete the UNB radiation safety seminar, read the Radiation Safety Manual, sign a Security Awareness Acknowledgement form and receive specific training from their supervisor prior to beginning any work with nuclear substances.
8. Procedures for disposal of “unsealed” sources of nuclear substances are specified in the Radiation Safety Manual. Arrangements for disposal of all “sealed” sources shall be made through the RSO. The cost for disposal of hazardous waste is supported centrally through the University budget.
PROCEDURES:
a. Radiation User Permit application forms may be obtained from the Radiation Safety Manual, the ORS web site at www.unb.ca/research/ors or the RSO.
b. Application forms must bear the signature of the applicant as well as the administrative head of the department and shall be forwarded to the RSO for approval by the Radiation Safety Committee.
c. All internal purchase requisitions shall be forwarded to the RSO for signature of approval prior to being sent to the Purchasing Department and shall indicate the nuclear substance, units of radioactivity, licence number, name of permit holder and permit number.
d. Nuclear substances shall be received or shipped during normal University operating hours and only by experienced individuals who possess a current Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) certificate.
e. Access to nuclear substances shall be restricted to authorized radiation users only.
f. Nuclear substances, including waste, shall be stored in a secure manner at all times.
g. The Permit Holder shall maintain accurate inventory records, including records for disposal, to guard against unauthorized access or removal.
h. The Permit Holder shall complete and submit to the RSO a Radiation Security Plan for their facilities. Procedural and physical measures to control access to all nuclear laboratories shall be maintained. An authorized radiation user shall be present in the laboratory at all times when nuclear substances are in use or not secured in a locked container. The laboratory shall remain locked when unoccupied.
i. Any breach of security, theft or loss of a nuclear substance or radiation device shall be reported immediately to UNB Security and the RSO who will advise the CNSC.
Radiation Safety Manual (pdf version)
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