Disposal of Clinical Waste
Please follow the instructions below for dealing with clinical waste.
The MBC store will keep the bins and sharps bins and waste bags as stock items.
The Contractor will only accept material which has been segragated, packaged and labelled as follow:
(The bins should be labelled with a waterproof felt-tip pen.)
Type of clinical waste bin | Contents | Label with waterproof pen |
60 litre "black-lidded" burn bins |
laboratory clinical waste | HI |
human tissue/human anatomical waste | HA | |
animal tissue/animal anatomical waste (see below) | VA | |
30 litre "purple-lidded" burn bins | clinical waste contaminated with cytotoxic and cytostatic material eg EtBr | HY |
Various sizes "orange-lidded" sharps bins | laboratory clinical sharps and EtBr gels | HS |
laboratory clinical sharps contaminated with human tissue | HAS | |
Green freezer bags | See paragraph below* | VA |
*As before the freezers are available for animal anatomical waste that is likely to undergo putrefaction. This material should be placed in green bags and labeled before freezing. Paper tissues contaminated with animal tissue/fluids may also be placed in the bag. Nothing else is to be placed in the bag or the Waste Contractor will not uplift the material.
The bags should be placed in the bins in the freezers to give the waste shape when frozen. Do not place lids on these bins. Do not leave closed bins in the freezers.
The contractor will not accept waste in any other containers such as clinical waste plastic bags or other “home-made” containers.
Please note the 60 litre burn bins must not be used for sharps – they are thin gauge plastic and are not designed to contain sharps.
Every container should also be uniquely labeled (lab number and building ie 135WMB) and identifiable and all the relevant details recorded in the clinical waste log book. No other labeling should be on the bin – if this is necessary for identification purposes in the lab please use a paper label and remove before taking to the Clinical Waste Store.
If waste is “fly-tipped” or inadequately labeled then the locks on the waste store will be replaced and access severely restricted until a new Biological Safety Officer is appointed to police the system.
There is only one key on site for the Clinical Waste Store which may be obtained from the Porters Reception and must be signed for.
If you need further information please do not hesitate to contact John Wilson/Stewart Church in University Safety Services.