SOP for Segregation of Biological Waste from Chemical Waste

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SOP for Segregation of Biological Waste from Chemical Waste

Standard Operating Procedure for Segregation of Biological Waste from Chemical Waste

1) Purpose

The purpose of this SOP is to establish a clear procedure for segregating biological waste from chemical waste to prevent cross-contamination, ensure safe handling, and comply with regulatory requirements for waste management.

2) Scope

This SOP applies to all personnel involved in waste handling, storage, and disposal in laboratories, research facilities, and manufacturing units where both biological and chemical waste is generated.

3) Responsibilities

  • Supervisors: Ensure the implementation of segregation procedures in their respective areas.
  • Laboratory Personnel: Identify and segregate waste streams as per this SOP.
  • Waste Management Team: Handle the collection, transportation, and storage of segregated waste.
  • Safety Officers: Conduct inspections and provide training on segregation practices.

4) Procedure

4.1 Classification of Waste Streams

Biological and chemical waste must be classified for proper segregation and disposal:

  1. Biological Waste:
    • Animal tissues, organs, and fluids
    • Microbial cultures and infected materials
    • Used gloves, pipette tips, and consumables exposed to biological agents

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  2. Chemical Waste:
    • Unused reagents, solvents, and hazardous chemicals
    • Acids, bases, and toxic solutions
    • Contaminated glassware and spills
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4.2 Segregation Guidelines

  1. Designated Waste Containers:
    • Use color-coded containers to segregate waste:
      • Yellow: Biological waste
      • Blue: Non-hazardous chemical waste
      • Red: Hazardous chemical waste
    • Ensure containers are labeled with “BIOLOGICAL WASTE” or “CHEMICAL WASTE” as appropriate.

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  2. Separation at the Source:
    • Segregate waste immediately at the point of generation to avoid mixing.
    • Store biological and chemical waste in separate, dedicated areas to minimize the risk of contamination.
  3. Use of Secondary Containment:
    • Place waste containers in secondary containment trays to prevent spills or leaks.
    • Ensure the secondary containment for chemical waste is compatible with the chemicals stored.
  4. Handling and Labeling:
    • Handle biological waste using PPE, including gloves, lab coats, and face shields.
    • Label all waste containers with:
      • Type of waste
      • Date of generation
      • Hazard symbols, if applicable

4.3 Collection and Storage

  1. Collection of Biological Waste:
    • Transfer biological waste to designated yellow bags or bins with biohazard symbols.
    • Ensure bags are sealed to prevent leakage and stored in refrigerated areas if not disposed of immediately.

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  2. Collection of Chemical Waste:
    • Use compatible, leak-proof containers for chemical waste.
    • Store hazardous and non-hazardous chemical waste in separate, labeled areas with restricted access.
  3. Storage Guidelines:
    • Store segregated waste in ventilated, temperature-controlled storage areas.
    • Ensure biological waste is not stored for more than 48 hours without treatment.
    • Maintain chemical waste within designated storage time limits, as specified by regulations.
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4.4 Transportation of Segregated Waste

  1. Internal Transport:
    • Use spill-proof, dedicated trolleys for biological and chemical waste to prevent cross-contamination.
    • Follow predefined waste transport routes to minimize exposure risks.

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  2. External Transport:
    • Coordinate with licensed waste disposal vendors for the safe transportation of waste.
    • Ensure transport manifests are accurately completed and retained for compliance.

4.5 Waste Treatment and Disposal

  1. Biological Waste Treatment:
    • Autoclave infectious waste before disposal to kill pathogens.
    • Dispose of treated waste through incineration or as per regulatory guidelines.

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  2. Chemical Waste Disposal:
    • Neutralize acids and bases before disposal, if feasible.
    • Dispose of hazardous chemicals through licensed hazardous waste disposal facilities.
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4.6 Emergency Management

  1. Spills:
    • Handle biological waste spills using disinfectants and absorbent materials.
    • Contain chemical spills using appropriate neutralizers and spill kits.

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  2. Incident Reporting:
    • Document all incidents in the Waste Incident Log (Annexure 1).

4.7 Training and Compliance

  1. Personnel Training:
    • Train employees on segregation practices, use of PPE, and emergency response protocols.

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  2. Audits:
    • Conduct periodic waste management audits to ensure adherence to segregation guidelines.

5) Abbreviations, if any

  • PPE: Personal Protective Equipment
  • MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheet

6) Documents, if any

  • Waste Incident Log
  • Waste Segregation Checklist
  • Transport Manifests

7) Reference, if any

  • Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016
  • Hazardous Waste Management Rules, 2016
  • EPA Waste Segregation Guidelines

8) SOP Version

Version: 1.0

Annexure

Template 1: Waste Incident Log

 
 
 Date Location Waste Type Incident Description Corrective Action Reported By 
 
 DD/MM/YYYY Lab 3 Biological Waste Spill of infectious waste Cleaned with disinfectant Jane Smith
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