Faculty of Science
Waste Guidelines
Version
1.0
TRIM file number
09/13607
Faculty Science Document
Number
Short description
Guidelines to ensure Faculty of Science Facilities
waste is minimised and managed appropriately.
Relevant to
All staff, students and researchers
Authority
This Procedure has been approved by [Dean,
Faculty of Science] under the Governance (Policy
and Procedures) Rule 2005 of the Council and
sections 20 and 32 of the CSU Act.
Responsible officer
Manager, University Laboratories
Responsible office
Faculty of Science, Office
Date introduced
01 August 2011
Date(s) modified
May 2012
Next scheduled review date
August 2014
Related University documents
CSU Occupational Health and Safety Policy
CSU Risk Management Policy
FSc Prohibited & Notifiable Carcinogens Procedure
FSc Risk Assessment Procedure
FSc Standard Operating Procedure
FSc Waste Management Procedure
Radiation Safety Manual
Biosafety Manual
Related legislation
Key words
FSc Waste Guidelines
Version 1.1 Effective 05/2012
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
NSW Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011
Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997
Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste)
Regulation 1996
Radiation Controls Act 1990 & Regulation 2003
Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals Act 1985
NSW EPA Waste Guidelines
Guidelines, waste, cytotoxic, chemical, substance,
sharps, radiation, hazardous, glass, animal, clinical,
laboratory, sharps
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1.
PURPOSE
In accordance with the CSU Occupational Health and Safety Policy, the CSU Risk
Management Policy and the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 the Faculty of
Science (FSc) shall provide a safe and healthy environment for workers and visitors.
Central to achieving this is workers and visitors understanding their duty of care
responsibilities and the specialised risk associated with the FSc Facilities. One
mechanism for achieving this is by ensuring all waste streams are appropriately
managed.
2.
SCOPE
This guideline covers all workers and visitors entering the Faculty of Science
facilities.
3.
DEFINITIONS (AS PER AS/NZS 3816, AND NSW LEGISLATIVE)
Special waste - as defined in the legislation: clinical and related waste, Asbestos
waste and waste tyres
Clinical and related waste- The definition of 'clinical and related waste' under the
Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 includes clinical waste; cytotoxic
waste; pharmaceutical, drug or medicine waste; and sharps waste.
Animal waste – Waste of whole or part of an animal or excteta, from medical or
veterinary treatment. Incudes animal tissue where it is contaminated with and
infectious organism or treated with chemical classified as hazardous waste. Does
not include those animals used in the university for dissection only.
Chemical Waste - Any unwanted chemical, unidentified chemical mixture,
compound or material that is contaminated with chemicals.
Clinical waste - human tissue waste, laboratory waste, animal waste resulting from
medical or veterinary research or treatment which has the potential to cause
disease
Cytotoxic waste - material including sharps, that is contaminated with a cytotoxic
drug Cytotoxic drugs are toxic compounds known to have carcinogenic, mutagenic
and/or teratogenic potential.
Hazardous waste - a threat or risk to public health and safety or the environment.
Includes anything that is infectious, toxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, tetratogenic,
flammable, corrosive, explosive oxidative or radioactive. From Australian Code for
the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (National Transport
Commission 2008):
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Class 1: Explosives
Class 2: Gases (compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure)
Division 4.1: Flammable solids (excluding garden waste, natural organic
fibrous material and wood waste, and all physical forms of carbon such as
activated carbon and graphite)
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Division 4.2: Substances liable to spontaneous combustion (excluding
garden waste, natural organic fibrous material and wood waste, and all
physical forms of carbon such as activated carbon and graphite)
Division 4.3: Substances which when in contact with water emit flammable
gases
Class 5: Oxidising agents and organic peroxides
Division 6.1: Toxic substances
Class 8: Corrosive substances.
Human tissue waste – body tissue, organs limbs and any free flowing liquid body
substance e.g. blood. Excludes hair, nails and teeth.
Laboratory waste – any specimen or culture discard, including genetically
manipulated material and imported biological.
Pharmaceutical waste - waste material that arise from pharmaceutical products
that have passed their recommended shelf life, drug components generated during
manufacture.
Schedule 8 Drug – Drugs listed as schedule 8 in the Standard for the Uniform
Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP) which are known as Drugs of Addiction.
Radioactive waste - Material classified as hazardous or non-hazardous radioactive
waste.
Non Hazardous Radioactive Waste is classified as a specific activity less than 100
becquerels per gram (2.7 nCi/gm or 2.7 μCi/Kg) or a total activity of:
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less than 40 kBq (~ 1μCi) of Group 1 radionuclides or
less than 400 kBq (~ 10 μCi) of Group 2 radionuclides or
less than 4 MBq (~ 100 μCi) of Group 3 radionuclides or
less than 40 MBq (~ 1 mCi) of Group 4 radionuclides.
Hazardous Radioactive Waste is material or substances with activity levels above
the non hazardous radioactive waste levels and must be stored in accordance with
Radiation Safety Committee procedures prior to disposal.
Sharps - Any item with a sharp point or edge capable of cutting, piercing or
penetrating skin.
Sharps Waste is any waste resulting from the use of sharps for any of the following
purposes:
• human health care
• medical research or work on cadavers
• veterinary care or veterinary research
• skin penetration or the injection of drugs or other substances for medical or
non-medical reasons
Liquid waste means any waste that:
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has an angle of repose of less than 5 degrees above horizontal, or
becomes free-flowing at or below 60 degrees Celsius or when it is
transported, or
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is generally not capable of being picked up by a spade or shovel.
Restricted solid waste is waste that is not ‘special’ or a liquid or preclassified by
Environmental Protection Authority, or a waste possessing hazardous
characteristics
General solid waste non putrescible glass plastic rubber, paper and cardboard
and generally items that can be recycled in a waste stream, building and demolition
waste
General solid waste putrescible household waste that contains organic material
(and animal waste – any dead animal).
Segregation – the classifying waste and placing it into an appropriate container
immediately after the waste is generated.
Waste any matter whether solid, liquid, gas or radioactive.
Waste stream movement of materials for the point of generation to the destined
disposal.
4.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Manager University Laboratories shall:
• Develop and maintain the FSc Waste Management Guidelines.
• Ensure contract entered into with any third party complies with the relevant
Commonwealth and State Legislative and Local Government requirements.
• Ensure that hazardous waste management is considered when planning for
capital works and refurbishment.
Facility / Laboratory Manager shall:
• Ensure waste is dispose of in accordance with the relevant waste stream
documentation.
• Document Standard Operating Procedures for all waste stream disposals for
the facilities they manage.
School Technical Manager and Senior Technical Officers shall:
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Ensure all workers are appropriately trained.
Service agreement for contractor disposal of waste from laboratories under
their management.
Participation in co-ordinated campus wide collection of waste streams.
All workers shall:
• Follow the facilities waste stream management documentation.
• Seek advice and / or training if required.
• Are required to minimise, where possible, the volume of waste they
generated.
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Department of Facilities Management (DFM) is responsible for:
• Trade waste agreement with relevant councils.
• Office and general waste collections.
Chemical Safety Committee shall:
• Review any contract for Chemical Waste Removal
5.
GUIDELINES
The FSc requires individual Facility Managers to document and manage the
segregation and disposal of waste into the waste streams outlined in 5.1. When
developing individual facility waste management systems (e.g. SOPs for
segregation, storage and disposal of waste) all FSc relevant documentation will be
followed e.g. FSc Waste Management Procedure and FSc Chemical Labelling
Procedure.
Considerations:
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CSU is committed to reducing waste creation through its many CSU Green
initiatives.
Only buy what is necessary.
Substitute hazardous substances with non hazardous substances when
possible.
Always recycle and reuse when practicable.
Ensure chemical waste disposal costs are obtained prior to purchase.
Individual areas should document their waste streams and disposal
procedures through standard operating procedures.
5.1 Waste Streams
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Office and general waste (including general non hazardous laboratory
waste) is managed by DFM.
Trade waste - DFM negotiate trade waste agreements with relevant
councils. The Facility Managers will provide specialist input for the FSc
Facilities they manage on request.
Hazardous waste - Facility Managers are responsible for ensuring
hazardous waste is disposed of appropriately and through a suitably
licensed waste contractor.
Special waste o Clinical and related waste must be segregated into its many
components and the guidelines below followed.
o Any asbestos issues relating to buildings are the responsibility of
DFM and the Manager of Occupational Health and Safety.
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The Facility Manager can introduce additional waste streams after completing a
risk assessment (see FSc Risk Assessment Procedure) and implementing the
appropriate controls.
5.2 Disposal Guidelines
5.2.1
Laboratory and Associated Waste
5.2.1.1 PC1 laboratories
• All waste from micro organism sources must be decontaminated.
Pressure steam sterilized (in accordance with AS/NZ 2243.3) waste
should be disposed in a Yellow Clinical bin for disposal by a licensed
contractor.
• In some locations, disposal of sterilised microbiological waste can be
accepted into general waste (i.e. destination landfill). This can only
be done at CSU where the procedures and protocols are
documented and comply with legislative and local council waste
regulations.
• Liquid cultures of Risk Group 1 that have been decontaminated by
pressure steam sterilisation may be disposed of down the sink to
sewer.
5.2.1.2 PC2 laboratory and GMO laboratory work
• All laboratory and associated waste must be decontaminated in the
facility.
• Dispose of steam sterilised waste in yellow clinical bin for removal by
a licensed contractor.
• Waste that has been chemically decontaminated must be disposed
of as chemical waste (see 5.2.11).
• Liquid cultures of Risk Group 1 & Risk Group 2 that have been
decontaminated by pressure steam sterilisation may be disposed of
down the sink to sewer.
• All potentially infectious biological agents and GMO’s shall be, at all
times, transported in a primary receptacle contained within an
appropriately labelled secondary receptacle to the sterilisation unit.
5.2.1.3 Waste containing or potentially contaminated with live micro
organisms
• Must be decontaminated by pressure steam sterilisation in
accordance with AS/NZS 2243.3 section 12 or chemically
decontaminated in accordance with see AS/NZS 2243.3 section 10
and 12 before disposal.
• All micro biological laboratory waste should be decontaminated as
soon as practical. Where this is not possible, it shall be stored
appropriately in a freezer until treatment.
5.2.1.3 Genetically Modified Organism Requirements
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All wastes containing GMO’s, by-products derived from GMO’s or
waste that is potentially contaminated with GMO’s must be signed for
with a declaration that identifies:
o the material
o the project
o the organism
o the licence (exempt/NLRD/Licences) numbers.
• All waste must be decontaminated by pressure steam sterilisation
in accordance with AS/NZ 2243.3 section 12 or by chemical
treatment as per AS/NZS 2243.3 section 12, the appropriate
paperwork completed and then the waste can be removed by a
licensed waste contractor.
Further details are available in the CSU Biosafety Manual and all
handling must comply with the:
• Office of Gene Technology Regulator.
• Policy on storage and transport and supply of GMO’s
• Guidelines for transport, storage and disposal of GMO’s
5.2.1.4 Imported Biological Waste Material
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Consult with Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) before
disposing.
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Ensure all conditions relevant to the import permit are followed.
5.2.2 Clinical and Biological Waste
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All clinical waste must be disposed of in a lined yellow clinical bin for
removal by a licensed contractor.
When transporting clinical waste, all micro-organisms must be wholly
contained within a primary sealed container (e.g. autoclave or clinical
waste bag) and then be packed into a secondary non breakable
container that must be easy to decontaminate.
All clinical bins must be kept locked or stored in a locked area.
5.2.2.1 Sharps Waste
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Sharps waste does not require autoclaving when contained in an
AS4031 compliant and appropriately labelled sharps container (i.e.
yellow sharps waste containers which are available from the
Laboratory store).
All sharps waste must be stored in locked cupboards or in a room
that is restricted to authorised personnel only.
The yellow sharps waste containers must be placed in the yellow
clinical bin for removal by a licensed contractor.
Further information on sharps waste is available in the FSc Sharps
Guideline.
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5.2.2.2 Prions
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Prions are resistant to most traditional methods of inactivation used for
other micro-organisms.
Prions should be decontaminated as per AS2243.3 (sections 10.8 and
12.2), then treated as cytotoxic waste (see 5.2.8) to ensure appropriate
incineration.
Solid waste that has been pressure steam sterilised shall be labelled as
Prion Waste – Incinerate at 11000 C and placed in a purple cytotoxic
clinical waste bin for collection by a licensed contractor.
Prion material that has been chemically decontaminated should be
treated as chemical waste, labelled as Prion Waste – Incinerate at 11000
C and collection by a licensed contractor organised.
5.2.2.3 Cytotoxic Waste
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Cytotoxic waste includes any residual cytotoxic drug and active
metabolites that remain following treatment and any materials or
equipment contaminated with cytotoxic drugs (e.g. vials, caps, syringes,
gowns, gloves).
All cytotoxic drugs and related wastes must be placed in a cytotoxic
waste container (i.e. purple rigid walled cytotoxic waste containers which
are available from the Laboratory store) or in a sharps waste bins labeled
with a white telophase cytotoxic symbol as per Standard AS/NZ 3816.
These bins should be identified as ‘Cytotoxic waste – incinerate at 11000
C’ and removed by a licensed contractor.
Cytotoxic waste should be stored in a secure area prior to collection and
not reopened while on site. The area should be well lit, ventilated and
clearly separated from other waste streams.
Where cytotoxic waste is to be stored for more than 72 hours prior to
disposal, and it also comprises organic matter, ensure that it is
refrigerated.
5.2.3 Human tissue and flowing blood (excludes teeth hair and nails)
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Never place human tissue or blood in the office and general waste stream.
Small quantities of human tissue waste (e.g. blood on test strips /blood on
paper towel, human sputum) shall be collected in a robust plastic bag (e.g.
autoclave or clinical bag) displaying the biohazard symbol and disposed of in
a lined yellow clinical waste bin for removal by a licensed contractors.
5.2.4 Animal Tissue and Specimen Waste
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Never place animal tissues and flowing blood (even uncontaminated) in
office and general waste stream due to potential sensitivities.
When permitted by local council guidelines and regulations dispose of non
contaminated animal tissue, flowing blood and specimens directly into the
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waste disposal containers that are collected by the local area waste disposal
contractor.
o All animal carcasses are to be transported in a robust plastic bag which
should be placed into an easy to clean heavy duty plastic bin.
o Labeling of animal carcass bags should be discrete.
o All non contaminated animal tissue, flowing blood and specimens should
be stored in a freezer until waste collection day.
Some campuses have on-campus disposal options. Contact the Manager of
University Laboratories or for the Wagga Wagga Campus the School of
Animal and Veterinary Sciences.
Preserved animal carcasses (or part thereof) must be contained in a strong
robust plastic bag, labeled and stored in a freezer until collection by a
licensed chemical waste contractor.
Animal tissue contaminated (or potentially contaminated) with
microorganisms must be steam sterilised before disposal, bagged and
placed into either a yellow clinical waste bin (for small quantities of
tissue/blood) or an anatomical bin (for organs or any large quantities) for
collection by licensed chemical waste contractor.
Small animal carcasses that have been subject to infection or contamination
should be pressure steam sterilized where practicable.
Transgenic animals that are not infected with GMOs do not require pressure
steam sterilization before placing in an anatomical bin for collection and
incineration by a licensed contractor.
Animal tissue or carcasses that are contaminated with GMO’s must be
disposed of as per GMO’s 5.2.2.3.
5.2.5 Disposal of laboratory animal waste and bedding
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All animal waste products and bedding that is not contaminated with
infectious microorganisms, radiation or chemicals and is not generated in a
PC2 or GMO facility may be disposed of as compost/mulch or solid domestic
waste.
Animal waste and bedding is not to go into the storm water, sewerage
system or building drainage systems.
Bedding from animals that are infected with GMOs or infectious
microorganisms must be pressure steam sterilised before removal from the
cage (i.e. the whole cage must be autoclaved) or decontaminated by
chemical treatment as per AS/NZS 2243.3 before disposal as biological or
chemical waste.
5.2.6 Radioactive Waste
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Waste is considered to be 'radioactive' if it has an activity level greater than
100 becquerels per gram of material [2.7mCi/kg].
CSUs Radiation Safety Committee should be contacted before commencing
and work with radioactive material.
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The Radiation Safety Manual details all CSUs policies, procedures and
guidelines for the acquisition, handling, storage and disposal of radioactive
material.
5.2.7 Glass Waste
All glass waste is to be placed in an appropriately labeled receptacle and disposed
of in accordance with the appropriate waste stream.
5.2.7.1 Non contaminated broken glass waste
• Place in a plastic lined ‘caution broken glass’ cardboard container which is
available from the Laboratory store.
• When the container is half full, close the lid and seal with packing tape.
• The generator should place the container into the waste disposal containers
that are collected by the local area waste disposal contractor (i.e. not be left
for the janitor or contract cleaners to dispose of).
5.2.7.2 Non contaminated recyclable glass waste
• Ensure the glass has been triple rinsed.
• Ensure there are no hazardous residues.
• Ensure all labels have been removed or defaced.
• Ensure all lids are removed.
• Ensure the glass does not contain Borosilicate glassware (Pyrex glass) as
this should not be placed into glass recycling.
• The generator should place the glassware into the recycle waste disposal
containers that are collected by the local area waste disposal contractor (i.e.
not be left for the janitor or contract cleaners to dispose of).
5.2.7.3 Chemical contaminated glass waste
• Broken glassware that is contaminated with chemicals and cannot be safely
decontaminated must be collected in a sturdy container with a plastic liner
and disposed of as chemical waste (see 5.2.8 Chemical Waste).
5.2.7.4 Clinical/ biological contaminated glass waste
• Broken glassware that is contaminated with clinical/biological waste must be
disposed of as clinical/biological waste (see 5.2.2 Clinical and Biological
waste).
• Small pieces of broken glass and decontaminated glass slides should be
placed in an AS4031 compliant sharps container which must be placed in
the yellow clinical bin for removal by a licensed contractor.
5.2.8
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Chemical Waste
The cost of disposal is the responsibility of the School or Research Centre
generating the waste.
Before disposing of unused chemicals please contact the Laboratory store
as the chemicals may be of use to another area in the University.
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All chemical waste is to be stored safely (see FSc Chemical Storage
Guidelines) until removed from the site by a licensed contractor.
All chemical waste is to be stored in a Chemical Storage Cabinet that
complies with an appropriate Australian Standard.
Chemical waste is not to be tipped down the sink.
Chemical Spill kits and appropriate PPE should be available where chemical
waste is stored.
5.2.11.1 General guidelines for labelling chemical waste
• Include the phrase ‘Hazardous Substance’ on the label
• Chemical/s name /type
• Specific Hazard information as per SDS
• Emergency information: as per SDS
• Person responsible for generating the waste
• Location: Building and room number or name where waste was
generated
Additional information about chemical waste labelling can be found in the FSc
Chemical Labelling Procedure.
5.2.11.2 Chemical waste segregation
Storage of chemicals and chemical waste is based upon the Dangerous goods
classification. Even chemicals within the same DG class may need to be
separated, for example strong acids and alkalis are both Class 8, but should
never be stored together. Store the chemical according to the Dangerous Goods
class and compatibility.
Additional information about chemical waste storage can be found in the FSc
Chemical Storage Guidelines.
5.2.11.4 Chemical waste disposal
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Complete a Chemsal Manifest Waste Form identifying the type of waste
to be collected, and email it to Chemsal and ask for a quote.
The contractor (Chemsal) will email out a Notification of collection date
when they are going to be in the area and will also notify of a deadline for
manifest collection.
The final Chemsal Chemical Manifest must be emailed to Chemsal.
Manifest is assessed by the licensed waste contractors and categorised
into appropriate waste classifications. The detailed information you
provide reduces the risk involving in transporting the hazard from the
campus.
Chemical waste will be picked up by the licensed contractor on the
notified collection date.
Ensure rooms are unlocked or contact details are provided on the form.
The contractor runs on a tight schedule and will not wait around.
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5.2.9 Special Waste Disposal
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Prohibited and Notifiable carcinogens must be disposed of according to
their special types, documented Risk Assessment, legislative requirements
and the FSc Prohibited and Notifiable Carcinogen Procedure.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or other halogenated compounds must
not be mixed with other waste. Contact the Chemical Safety Committee or
Manager, Occupational Health and Safety for disposal procedure.
If Asbestos is identified or suspected of being present within the
infrastructure of a building (i.e. pipe lagging, roof sheeting, wall insulation
etc) contact the DFM Campus Manager. If you have ovens, furnaces or
other laboratory equipment which you suspect may pose an asbestos risk,
contact the Manager, Occupational Health and Safety.
5.2.10 Mixed Waste Stream
When waste contains more than one waste stream it is referred to as a mixed waste
stream. Mixed waste stream should be avoid or minimised whenever possible.
6.
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Radioactive and Chemical Waste:
Store until radiation has decayed to less than 100Bq/g and then dispose of
as chemical waste (see 5.2.8).
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Biological and Chemical Waste:
Treat as for biological waste (see 5.2.2).
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Radioactive and Biological Waste:
Store until the radiation had decayed to less than 100 Bq/g (in freezer) and
then dispose of as biological waste (see 5.2.6).
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Radioactive, Biological and Chemical:
Store until the radiation has decayed to less that 100 Bq/g (in freezer) and
then dispose of as biological waste (see 5.2.6).
REFERENCES AND UNIVERSITY RELATED DOCUMENTS
AS/NZS 2243.2 Safety in laboratories - Chemical aspects
AS/NZS 2243.10 Safety in laboratories - Storage of chemicals 2004
AS/NZS 2243.3 Safety in Laboratories – Microbiological Safety and Containment
2010
AS/NZS 3816 Management of Clinical Wastes, 1998
AS/NZS 3825 Procedures and devices for the removal and disposal of scalpel
blades from scalpel handles, 1998
AS4031
Office of Gene Technology Regulator
NOHSC 2012 (1994) National Code of Practice for the Labelling of Workplace
Substances
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NOHSC 10005 Lists of Designated Hazardous Substances
Road and Transport Reform (Dangerous Goods) Regulations
The Australian Dangerous Goods Code (7th Edition)
Laboratory Safety Manual Reference Manual CCH Australia Ltd
CSU Faculty of Science Waste Management Procedure
Sharps Guideline
Prohibited and Notifiable Carcinogen Procedure
Chemsal Manifest Waste Form
Radiation Safety Manual
CSU Biosafety Manual
Table of amendments
Version
number
0.1
0.2
0.3
1.0
1.1
Date
15/09/09
011009
26/10/09
August 2011
May 2012
FSc Waste Guidelines
Version 1.1 Effective 05/2012
Short description of amendment
Draft
Adj as per K Munn
Ad per CS
version
Revision KKent
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