Overview
Biohazardous waste is not properly or appropriately decontaminated; or waste is not properly stored or transported prior to disposal. Autoclaved waste bags are not properly prepared for disposal.
- Biohazard waste must be collected in a proper container and that container cannot be overfull (greater than ¾). Primary collection containers are red or orange bags marked with a biohazard symbol. When containers are on the floor, they should be in secondary containment (i.e. trashcan with a biohazard symbol on the side or an autoclave tray). It is acceptable for tip collection containers on a lab bench to be an autoclave bag in a wire rack or a secondary container.
- If you observe untreated biological materials in the regular trash, cite this item.
- Biohazardous waste must be disposed of by autoclaving or picked up by EHS per a biowaste determination on file. If the autoclave bags are closed tightly, cite this and refer them to the EHS SOP on Autoclave Operation and Use
- Tightly closed biohazard bags do not allow steam to enter in the bag and do its job of sterilizing the materials in the bag. If they say that they poke holes in the bag before autoclaving, inform them that is not proper practice and refer them to the SOP above. IMPORTANT NOTE: If EHS is picking up their biowaste, tightly sealing the bags is not an issue.
Citations and Related Resources