Sterilisation of Microbiological Waste,Petri Dishes and Autoclave Controls Using the Labclave

Microorganisms of hazard group 1 contained on solid media which may also contain hazardous substances. See GMMO assessment.All plastic tips and eppendorf tubes etc that have been in contact with the above mentioned microorganisms or their DNA. BIOHAZARD.TOXIC.CARCINOGENIC.SENSITIZING AGENTS. As well as the biological hazard from microoganisms some of the substances incorporated in solid media may be Toxic, carcinogenic and sensitising agents.

5 INTENDED USE

Hazardous Substances Policy - Assessment

CHEMICAL HAZARD AND RISK ASSESSMENT

School of Biosciences

Name of supervisor / Steve Busby / Assessment Number* / SJWBJM#2091
Signature
Assessor / Jennie Mitchell / Date of Assessment / 08/12/02

Signature

Notes A School COSHH form in Word is available on the School Server.

Available from the Health and Safety Unit.

Guidance on making an assessment is given in Making a Chemical Hazard and Risk Assessment.

Guidance is also available from Guidance on Completing the Chemical Hazard and Risk Assessment Form.

Use a continuation sheet to expand any section of this form in hard copy version.

1 / LOCATION OF THE WORK ACTIVITY / G3/G7/T102
2 / PERSONS WHO MAY BE AT RISK
List names where possible / All lab members (see current members list at front of folder).
3 / ACTIVITY ASSESSED / Sterilisation of microbiological waste,Petri dishes and autoclave controls using the Labclave 007 autoclave in laboratory G7.
4 / MATERIALS INVOLVED / Attach copies of data sheet(s)
NAME / AMOUNT** / HAZARD / RISK PHRASES / HAZDAT NO*** / BIOSCIENCESNO***
Microorganisms of hazard group 1 contained on solid media which may also contain hazardous substances. See GMMO assessment.
All plastic tips and eppendorf tubes etc that have been in contact with the above mentioned microorganisms or their DNA. / BIOHAZARD.
TOXIC.
CARCINOGENIC.
SENSITIZING AGENTS. / As well as the biological hazard from microoganisms some of the substances incorporated in solid media may be Toxic, carcinogenic and sensitising agents.
5 / INTENDED USE
Give brief details and attach protocol/instructions / Sterilisation of waste petri dishes containing microorganisms on solid media.
6 / RISKS to HEALTH and SAFETY from INTENDED USE
From personal exposure or hazardous reactions. Refer to OELs, flash points, etc., as appropriate. Are pregnant women, breast-feeding mothers especially at risk?
Risk of skin and eye contact with microbiological waste, media components and additions, some of which may be hazardous. Risk of burns from hot containers and liquids. RISK OF CONTACT WITH UNSTERILE MICROBIOLOGICAL WASTE UNTIL AUTOCLAVE CONTROLS HAVE BEEN VERIFIED.
7 /

CONCLUSIONS ABOUT RISKS

Is level of risk acceptable? Can risk be prevented or reduced by change of substance/procedure? Are control measures necessary?
The risks in section 6 above are not greatly significant, they should be minimised by using Good Microbiological Practice. The precautions given in section 8 should be followed.
8 / CONTROL MEASURES
Additional to Good Chemical Practice / Face shield should be used to prevent contact with hot waste.
Microbiological waste, which should always be cool enough to handle safely, should always be handled wearing disposable gloves at all times. Ensure adequate ventilation by using the window fan. DO NOT HANDLE UNSTERILE MICROBIOLOGIACL WASTE OR CONTROLS WITHOUT GLOVES.
Gloves used during the procedure should be put for subsequent sterilisation.
9 / INSTRUCTION/TRAINING
Specify course(s) and/or special arrangements.
Training must be given prior to using the autoclave
10 / MONITORING
Performance of control measures,
Check integrity of gloves, both disposable and autoclave types.
Check face shield is good order and clean.
Personal exposure / Health Surveillance
11 / WASTE DISPOSAL PROCEDURE
See School Server for Approved Procedure Document on specific Chemical Waste Disposal.
Ensure waste agar is washed away with copious amounts of warm water to prevent waste agar solidifying in drains.
12 / REVIEW
Enter the date or circumstances for review of assessment (maximum review interval 5 years) / 08/12/07 or
Any change in the protocol.
13 / EMERGENCY ACTION
TO CONTROL HAZARDS / To stabilize situation eg spread absorbant on liquid spill; eliminate sources of ignition, etc.
Spills of unsterilised microbiological waste should be mopped up with VIRCON wearing face shield and disposable gloves. The same procedure should be used for sterilised waste. Gloves from this procedure should be put for subsequent sterilisation.
TO PROTECT PERSONNEL / Evacuation, protection for personnel involved in clean-up, Special First Aid
ONLY PERSONNEL WHO ARE ADEQUATELY TRAINED SHOULD ATTEMPT TO CLEAR UP
SPILLAGES.
TO RENDER SITE OF EMERGENCY SAFE / Clean-up/decontamination
After cleaning up spill, wash site with soap and water.
CONTACT PHONE

10.10.00

* Prefix T is used for Teaching Assessment Number.

** List the amount by weight of the substance used. (for liquids eg; 100 mls 1M Sodium Hydroxide =

4g).

*** Hazdat No is the UNICOSHH datasheet report number.

Biosciences No is the Biosciences data sheet number.

UNICOSHH IS A CHEMICAL DATABASE ON THE HEALTH AND SAFETY UNIT SERVER.

BIOSCIENCES DATA SHEETS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE SCHOOL SAFETY OFFICE.