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Biological waste is any solid or liquid waste that may present a threat of infection to humans, animals, crops or the natural ecosystem. All items that contain, or are contaminated with any of the following, must be disposed of as biological waste:
- Human, animal, or plant pathogens
- Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids and recombinant organisms
- Laboratory and clinical waste containing or contaminated with, blood, blood products, tissues and cells from humans or nonhuman primates and other potentially infectious material as described in the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen standard.
- Cultures (tissues, cells, bacteria, viruses, etc.)
All biological waste must be inactivated prior to leaving the facility. The preferred method is steam sterilization (autoclaving) although chemical inactivation of liquid waste (i.e. treatment with household bleach) may be appropriate in some cases.
Biomedical waste is a specific subset of biological waste which refers to any solid or liquid waste, including discarded medical sharps, that may pose a threat of infection to humans. Biomedical waste must be handled per the State of Florida Department of Health regulations (Chapter 64E-16, Florida Administrative Code).
Storage of biomedical waste is restricted to within the generating laboratory and is limited to 30 days. The 30 day period starts when the first non-sharps waste item is placed into a red bag or sharps container, or when a sharps container containing only sharps is sealed.
Biological Waste Transport
Biological waste being transported outside of the laboratory (e.g. to an autoclave) must be in a closed, leak-proof bag or container; bags must be contained in a leak-proof tray and transported on a cart to and from the autoclave. Do not leave non-inactivated waste unattended. Laboratory staff needing to transport properly packaged and labeled biowaste boxes to a secure holding/pick-up area must protect the boxes from the weather and not leave the boxes unattended. For those laboratories that do not have an established routine pick-up or an established secure storage/pick-up area in the facility, the following is required for transporting boxed biowaste to the loading dock of the Health Science Center for disposal:
- You must use a state vehicle for transport; personal vehicles are not allowed.
- You must move less than 25 lbs. at one time.
- The locked silver semi-trailer at the loading dock of the Health Science Center is the disposal site.
- Call Building Services at 294-5500 to arrange to meet someone with the keys.
- Leave a voice mail message if need be and someone will return your call.
- Be prepared to show your photo ID.
Biological/Biomedical Waste Training
All employees who generate biological/biomedical waste must be trained regarding the proper segregation, handling, packaging, labeling, storage and treatment of biological waste. Training is required prior to commencement of duties related to biological waste handling and annually thereafter. All individuals enrolled in the UF Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Program receive this training. For those individuals who are not in the BBP Program, standalone Biomedical Waste training is available online through myTraining. You can search for the class by using the course code (EHS851).
In accordance with Florida Statute (Ch. 64E-16 F.A.C.), training records for each employee shall be maintained for a period of three (3) years. Training records are kept indefinitely for those who are trained through myTraining. If you hold an instructor-led session, you must keep the training records for a minimum of 3 years.