Labels –

• Storage of waste risk assessment reminder label for attaching to fume cupboards and other storage areas
• Chemical treatment label
• Waste bottle storage labels, for storing
  
  • Radioactive label
  • Halogenated solvents
    
  • Non-halogenated solvents
    
  • Benzene
    
  • Aqueous acidic solutions
  • Aqueous alkaline solutions
  • Oxidising acid solutions
  • Mercury 
  • Phenol-Chloroform
  • Ethidium Bromide
  • Heavy metal chemicals
    
    
• Simple waste bottle tag
• Storage instability risk label to be affixed to the waste container
• Label to remind users to conduct a risk assessment
• Radioactive material label

Associated documents -

• ANU Hazardous Waste Safety Officers
• ANU Hazardous Waste Safety Officers training program
• Hazardous Waste Disposal Contractors
• Dangerous Goods Classes and their symbols
• Dangerous Goods segregation chart
• Complex chemical compatibility chart
• Laboratory chemicals that are explosives or may develop explosive potential on deterioration
• Risk Assessment for Storage Stability for Chemical Waste
• Guidelines on the safe use of a fume cupboard 
• Guidelines for the Disposal of Chemical Wastes at Refuse Centres - Environment ACT.
• ACTEWAGL – Policy for the acceptance of Non-Domestic Waste (Trade Waste) into the Sewage Network (dated 5/12/2002)
• ACTEWAGL – Acceptance Criteria for Non-Domestic Waste (Trade Waste) Discharging into the Sewerage Network (5/11/2002)
• Environment ACT, ACT's Environmental Standards: Assessment and Classification of Liquid and Non-Liquid Wastes (June 2000)Environment Australia, National Chemicals Management, Scheduled Wastes Management, http://www.ea.gov.au/industry/chemicals/swm/
  

1.  MANAGEMENT OF HAZARDOUS WASTE

Hazardous Waste is considered any waste that has the potential to exert a detrimental effect on people or on biological systems in the environment.
The aim of this document is to provide practical guidance on the management of Hazardous Waste generated by laboratories and workshops at ANU.  The responsible management of hazardous waste involves several aspects, including -

• Minimising the generation of the waste,
• Correctly characterising and labelling the waste material,
• Determining the most appropriate waste disposal method,
• Safely storing and handling the waste, and finally
• Disposing of the waste in an environmentally and socially acceptable manner.

It is essential that any hazardous waste generated be disposed of in a way that minimises any risk to health and safety, or to the environment.  Compliance with other ANU Policies on Occupational Health and Safety and the Environment is also required and these policies should also be consulted.

1.1 Responsibilities

If a Budget Unit of The Australian National University generates hazardous waste, then it is the responsibility of the management of that Budget Unit to dispose of the waste in a way that complies with these requirements, the laws and guidelines of the Commonwealth and ACT governments, and with the recommended practices of the scientific community.  It is generally good practice for a Budget Unit to require the individual waste generator to be responsible for the hazardous wastes they generate.

The waste generator needs to be responsible for managing the effective –

• Waste minimisation,
• Identification of the waste,
• Treatment or pre-treatment (if required),
• Packaging the waste,
• Labelling the waste with all the appropriate labels,
• Storage within the laboratory or workshop,
• Transport (within the building) and
• (Assisting in) Arranging disposal

using procedures approved by Budget Unit management in consultation with the HWS officer.

These procedures summarise the information and facilities currently available to Budget Unit management for the disposal of chemical, biological and radioactive wastes.

The management process is assisted by a network of “Hazardous Waste Safety Officers” that are knowledgeable in ANU procedures, Budget Unit process and liaise with External Waste Contractors.  If in doubt about the appropriate procedure for a particular waste, please consult a Hazardous Waste Safety Officer.

The OHS Unit presents a special training course for Hazardous Waste Safety Officers.

1.2 Waste Minimisation

Every effort should be made to reduce the generation of hazardous waste.  Thus the primary focus for the management of hazardous waste is on the process that generates the waste. Consider -

• Why is such a process being used?
• Can it be substituted by another process?
• Can the process be modified to produce less waste?
• Can the process be modified to produce a less intractable waste?
• Can the waste be easily modified or treated to produce a waste that is more stable or easier to dispose of.
• Can the waste be used for other purposes or be recycled?

1.3 Characterisation and identification

Hazards associated with a waste and the risks associated with waste disposal need to be considered and indicated in the handling protocol, experiment document or workbook.  This needs some knowledge of the initial entities and hazards, any intermediates and products generated.  The storage and handling of the waste material needs to be considered before any actual waste is generated.

1.4 Material presenting multiple hazards

Some materials for disposal may present multiple hazards.  The main categories of hazards to be considered are:

• Chemical reactivity (including toxicants and cytotoxics),
• Biological infectivity,
• Radioactivity.

As an example of a material containing multiple hazards, consider an animal tissue containing a pathogen that was cultured in the presence of a reactive, radioactively labelled organic chemical.

It is important that as much information as possible about the composition of a waste material be obtained before attempts are made for its disposal.  When this information is available then a judgement has to be made as to which hazard should be dealt with first while, at the same time, strict precautions are maintained regarding the other hazards present in the material.

For the example given above, the following order of treatment should be appropriate:

1. The chemical reactivity should be neutralised (see Section 2).
   This may include pH adjustment to neutralize and deactivate the active moieties by chemical reaction, adsorption on activated carbon, etc.
2. The biological activity can be destroyed by the use of Hibitane and/or chlorizing (see Section 3).  This treatment should be checked for compatibility with any inherent chemical activity of the material.  The treatment will assist in the deactivation of some forms of chemical activity.
3. If the radionuclide has a short half-life (e.g. 32P), the material should be stored until the activity has reached background levels.
   If the radionuclide has a long half-life (e.g.14C), appropriate disposal should be undertaken following the information given in Section 4.

For those persons who are inexperienced in the treatment and disposal of materials containing multiple hazards, or are unsure concerning the appropriate action for a particular waste material, it is important to consult experienced staff or the Hazardous Waste Safety Officer.

1.5 Labelling

The hazardous waste must be appropriately labelled.  The type of label depends on the hazardous associated with the waste, and may include –

• A chemical waste label
• A chemical storage stability risk label
• A radioactive material label
• A biological material (biohazard) label/sign
• Or a combination of the above.

In addition, the general information required on a label includes –

• The area/group the material originated from
• Name of material or classification (eg. Hazardous Substance, Biological Waste, Radioactive Material)
• A date (of generation)
• Specific details covered in the chemical, biological, and radioactive waste sections.

The labelling used in a laboratory or workshop environment may be different to that required for the transport of waste off campus by a waste contractor.  The waste contractor may be contacted (via the Hazardous Waste Safety Officer) for their specific labelling requirements. 

A summary list of current available labels is available.

1.6 Storage

Hazardous Waste must be safely stored as indicated in the following sections on –

• Chemical wastes 
• Biological wastes 
• Radioactive wastes 

In general, hazardous wastes are stored under the same conditions as similar non-waste materials.  For example, flammable liquid waste is stored similar to other flammable liquids, to reduce the risk associated with the hazard.

Dangerous goods of different classes should not be stored together.

Packages should be protected from harsh environmental conditions.
 

General waste materials should be stored at ambient conditions.  That is –

• room temperature (or temperature in the range 14 – 30 °C),
• typical humidity levels (30 - 60 % RH),
• room light levels (or in the dark),

as well as being protected from impact, and disposed of within 6 months.

If the conditions for safe storage vary from the above, the conditions should be highlighted on the waste disposal risk assessment form.

Store waste containers so that the labels are visible.

Additional waste storage area requirements, covering security, access, registers, signage and safety are available in section 5.

1.7 Transport (within the building)

Transportation of hazardous waste may occur between –

• Laboratory to laboratory
• Laboratory to hazardous waste store

It is important to ensure that the material is –

• Labelled with the appropriate type of waste and identified as indicated in the sections below, and
• Appropriately contained (at least a primary and secondary level of containment).

The transport of hazardous material around the ANU Campus should only occur with the consent of the Hazardous Waste Safety Officers. 

Transport of material on public roads around the ANU should consider the requirements of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code for road and rail.  The transport of hazardous waste by air is covered by the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and IATA requirements.  Materials to be transported (off campus) must be conducted by an A.C.T. licensed Waste Disposal Contractor, or if by air, it must be packaged and documented by an IATA certified person.

1.8 Arranging disposal

The Budget Unit management must have a waste disposal process in place.  It is likely that smaller waste generators can seek assistance from the larger Schools and Departments to assist in the safe storage and disposal of small quantities of waste.  Budget Units that have organised a safe storage system and a contractor for transport and disposal of some wastes are currently -

• JCSMR
• RSBS
• RSC
• RSES
• RSPhysSE
• Chemistry
• BaMBi
• NITA

However, a Budget Unit is responsible for the safe storage and disposal of any waste it generates.

The local Hazardous Waste Safety Officer should be able to assist in the waste disposal process and the collection by authorised waste contractors.

Any hazardous waste that cannot be safely disposed of (or cannot be disposed of within the requirements of the current guidelines) should be rendered as safe as possible, labelled, securely stored, and reported to the Hazardous Waste Safety Officer and OHS Officer for the attention of the Hazardous Waste Safety Committee.

1.9 Possible disposal routes

It is essential that any hazardous waste generated be disposed of in a way that minimises any risk to health and safety, or to the environment.  It may be possible to dispose of waste by the following routes –

• Deactivation / Neutralisation or other (waste) modification process
• Air
• Landfill / Burial
• Sewerage system
• Waste disposal contractor

There are limits and licensing arrangements for release to the environment.  The conditions and expectations are outlined in the following sections.  If in doubt, please contact a Hazardous Waste Safety Officer.

Where the disposal route involves the sewerage system, disposal must meet the criteria of the ACTEW Trade Waste Guidelines and a building’s Trade Waste limits.  Any new Trade Waste application should be made through consultation with the Hazardous Waste Safety Officer and Facilities and Services, Hydrology Unit.

Under NO circumstances should hazardous waste be allowed to enter the storm water system (i.e. drains).

1.10 Waste Monitoring

The hazardous waste management process is expected to be monitored on a regular or ad-hoc basis. 

Hazardous Waste disposal processes within Budget Units will become part of the OHS Unit’s Specialized Hazards Audit.  Various disposal routes and wastes of special interest will be monitored for key indicators.  For example, monitoring –

• Airborne emissions
• Sewerage system (for pH and heavy metals)

Dilution is no longer considered an acceptable means of overcoming the trade waste disposal guidelines.

 
2.  CHEMICAL WASTE DISPOSAL

This topic is covered in the General Chemical Safety training course offered regularly at the ANU.  Additional details are associated with the specialised Hazardous Waste Safety Officer training.  Your local Hazardous Waste Safety Officer is also able to assist in disposal management.

Chemical waste risk management follows the standard risk management process of -

• Identification of the hazards associated with the materials and process,
• Assessment of the risks from those hazards in context of the process, storage, handling and potential exposure,
• Controlling/reducing those risks to an acceptable level, and
• A feedback/checking stage to monitor effectiveness over time.

A chemical risk assessment must be conducted for a process according the ANU guidelines before an experiment or process is attempted.  One aspect of this assessment is the disposal of the waste materials.  If after reading this section you are still unsure of how to dispose of the wastes you generate, contact your local Hazardous Waste Safety Officer or OHS Unit.

2.1 General

The storage and handling of waste chemicals have many similarities with general chemical storage and handling.  The aspects of storage (containers, labelling, segregation, separation, location, and environmental conditions) and handling (transport, quantity, and documentation) still need to be considered.  In some respects, the storage and handling of waste materials can pose a greater risk of adverse reactions, explosions and fire.  Many incidents have already occurred involving waste chemicals or chemicals awaiting disposal.

Overview of chemical waste disposal system -

• Conduct a risk assessment on the process and materials you are going to generate.
• Minimise the amount of waste generated.
• Undertake a risk assessment for waste storage.
• Consider neutralisation or a pre-treatment to stabilise the waste.
• Ensure the appropriate container is available, sealable, and correctly labelled.
• Segregate waste according to type and waste disposal stream.
• Ensure a suitable location is available for its short-term storage and while awaiting collection.  (if using a fume cupboard for storage, see the guidelines for the safe use of fume cupboard).
• Be aware that accidents and incidents may arise.  Consider spill management and emergency action plans.
• Arrange through the Hazardous Waste Safety Officer the material’s safe and environmentally responsible disposal.

2.1.1 Risk Assessment for Stability during Chemical Storage

To ensure the safe storage of hazardous chemical wastes, it is important to consider the risks arising from –
     a) Inappropriate environmental conditions.
     b) Adverse changes to the chemical storage vessel.
     c) Adverse chemical reactions between components within the container (and some likely to be added later).

Items (a) and (b) should be considered before the waste is generated.  Details on suitable waste containers are available.  If in doubt use a container of similar material to the starting material or reagent.  Waste bottles are generally only lightly capped when in use.  They can be firmly closed when filled (see figure 1) and when the waste is considered stable – generally allow 48 hours in a fume cupboard and watch for the generation of bubbles or heat.

Item (c) is an ongoing process, especially where wastes from different experiments/process are added to the same waste bottle.  Before a new material is added to the waste container, the chemical compatibility needs to be assessed with material already present in the bottle.

Hence, it is very important that all ingredients are indicated on the label.  So when you add something new, remember to add it to the label.

Some knowledge of chemistry and reaction types is useful for this assessment process. If in doubt, discuss your proposed disposal with other laboratory members or Hazardous Waste Safety Officer . A chemical Waste Stream Compatibility Table may be used for some suggestions and contraindications. However, the table has limitations and exceptions. Please use this table as a first indicator and combine with information presented in the Material Safety Data Sheets and other references. If in doubt, do not mix chemical wastes from different experiments or processes.

To assist in the risk assessment process, a Risk Assessment for Storage Stability for Chemical Waste form can be used.  Other methods of documenting the risk assessment process are also acceptable.  In general, a documented risk assessment indicating that the material has been assessed and is likely to be stable in storage is required before the waste will be accepted in the Budget Unit waste storage facility.

A label to remind users of the need for labelling and a storage stability risk assessment is available.

2.2 Segregation

Segregation of wastes is a very important aspect of waste disposal.  Wastes are segregated to –

1. Reduce the risk of an adverse chemical reaction occurring, particularly between different groups or classes of materials, and to
2. Assist in the appropriate disposal route.

Chemical wastes and chemically contaminated materials should be divided into one of the following groups -

• Contaminated consumables
• Contaminated glassware
• Chemicals no longer required
• Chemicals that have deteriorated with age
• Scheduled drugs and poisons
• Gaseous emissions, vapours and mists
• Liquid chemicals and solvents
  • Halogenated solvents
  • Non-halogenated solvents (general hydrocarbons, except benzene or tetrahydrofuran (THF))
  • Benzene
  • Ethers
  • Tetrahydrofuran, THF
  • Aqueous acidic solutions
  • Aqueous alkaline (basic) solutions
  • Phenol – chloroform mix
• Dry or solid chemicals
• Transition-metal or heavy-metal chemicals
  • Mercury and mercury salts
• Photographic chemicals
• Pesticides and their containers
• Paints and their containers
• Ozone depleting substances
  • Refrigerant gases
• Oils 
  • PCB (Polychlorinated biphenyls)
  • Industrial oils
  • Cutting and cooling oils used in workshops
• Light tubes and bulbs
  • Fluorescent tubes
  • Mercury lamps
  • Sodium lamps
• Batteries 
  • Nickel-Cadmium batteries
  • Leaded batteries
  • Alkaline batteries
• Compressed gases
• Asbestos and asbestos containing materials

Further information is available by clicking on the links above or by scrolling down.

If a waste is a combination of the above groups, choose the group that is the most specific or consider a pre-treatment (neutralisation or deactivation).  Contact your Hazardous Waste Safety Officer for advice.

The Dangerous Good Classes are one simple way of segregating wastes into acceptable groups.  They are the minimum segregation required under the Australian Dangerous Goods Code for the transport of dangerous goods by road and rail.  However, the variety and complexity of chemicals and their mixtures present at the ANU usually requires additional segregation or at least consideration of the chemicals’ properties, hazards and risks.

Dangerous goods of different classes should not be stored together.

A chart indicating dangerous goods segregation is available.

A chemical Waste Stream Compatibility Table may be used as for additional segregation of chemicals and wastes. However, the table has limitations and exceptions. Please use this chart as a first indicator and combine with information presented in the Material Safety Data Sheets and other references and discuss with your Hazardous Waste Safety Officer. If in doubt, do not mix chemical wastes from different experiments or processes. In addition, a list of common laboratory chemical incompatibilities is available.

2.3 Containers and packaging

The containers or packaging that a waste material is placed in can significantly affect the storage and handling of the material.  The container/packaging of a waste material should be -

• Sturdy
• Made of compatible materials, to prevent deterioration of the packaging
• Protect the contents from environment hazards, for example excessive light, heat or cold, and shock
• Limit the impact of the material on the environment or risk of adverse reactions
• Appropriately sealed or closed
• Appropriately labelled
• (In general) not more than 20 kg or 20 L (laboratory waste containers should be a smaller volume).

Details of various containers are available.

The storage vessel used in a laboratory or workshop environment may be different to that required for the transport of waste off campus by a waste contractor.  Where a waste is being directly packaged for transport, contact the waste contractor or the Hazardous Waste Safety Officer for specific packaging requirements.  Some waste contractors will supply storage/transport drums free of charge.

Containers that can be used for storage and transport should be used in preference to others to reduce risk associated with transferring.

2.3.1 Material -

A storage container may be a bottle, jar, drum or bag.  They can be made of glass, reinforced glass (coated with a plastic film/sleeve), plastic or metal.  Details of various containers are available.

The Material Safety Data Sheet provides information (for chemicals) on the most compatible container material.  For storing waste materials, chose the material that is suitable for the component of greatest volume.

2.3.2 Closure system -

The closure system should be a screw top, rather than push-on.  For the storage of volatile solvents or materials that off-gas significantly, a pressure-venting cap should be considered.  These caps have a membrane that allows gases to permeate through while retaining any liquid.  These containers therefore need to be stored in a well-ventilated place away from materials that they could adversely react with.  Details of various container systems are available.

Special precautions may be required for materials that react with elements (eg. moisture, oxygen) in the atmosphere.  Consult your Hazardous Waste Safety Officer or Material Safety Data Sheet.

2.3.3 Other hints -

Please consider –

• Storage conditions maybe similar to those of the parent material or considering a substance’s properties.
• Only the minimum quantity of waste should be stored in a laboratory.  This is generally 1 container (< 3L or 1 kg) or Winchester of each type of relevant waste.  The storage of waste within fume cupboards should meet the requirements of the Fume Exhaust System procedures and the guidelines on the safe use of a fume cupboard.  That is, the waste should be stored on the side of the cupboard away from services like gas or the sink.
• Clear glass winchesters make useful waste vessels, since the condition of the waste can be easily monitored.  (Except for material that is sensitive to light).
• Unstable wastes should not be stored.  They are best neutralised or deactivated.
• Nitric acid waste, nitrating agents and other oxidisers should each be stored separately.
• Waste containers should be regularly emptied or removed, even if not full. 
• Packages should be protected from harsh environmental conditions.
• Only fill a container/Winchester to ¾ full.  This allows for evaporation (pressure changes) and expansion or contraction of the waste.
   

Figure 1    Maximum container fill level

• For reactive or potentially unstable waste, allow appropriately 48 hours before firmly capping the filled bottle.  Watch for the generation of bubbles or heat.  If observed, contact your chemical safety officer, hazardous Waste Safety Officer, OHS Unit or group leader for advice.

2.4 Labelling

Purchased chemicals in the original container awaiting disposal should already be correctly labelled.  However, ensure the labels are; legible, in English, and have the basic/essential information visible.

All waste containers need to be labelled with the essential information –

• Labelled as “Hazardous Waste” if the material is a hazardous substance.  “Waste Material” may also be used.
• The area/group (or person) that generated the waste.
  • For student experiment waste (i.e. an undergraduate teaching practical waste) or waste dedicated to a particular experiment/process/step; the waste should also be labelled with the experiment name and identification number (if available).  For example, “Iron solution from ferrocene synthesis, Exp 12”.
• The Dangerous Goods class of the material and a signal word (ie. flammable, corrosive etc)
• The substance name or names with their appropriate United Nations (UN) number (if available) or CAS registry number (if available).  These are generally available from the material safety data sheet.
• Risk and safety phrases (see below).
• A risk assessment on storage instability.  This assessment should consider the type, reactivity, compatibility and environmental stability associated with the waste.  A label indicating risk of storage instability should be attached to the waste container.  Any waste containing unstable materials, should be considered high risk.

Alternatively, the container can be labelled with the appropriate standard waste label printed on standard self-adhesive labels (eg. Avery Laser labels L7068, L7168, or Inkjet labels J8168). 

A simple tag is also available for containers smaller than a Winchester or as an alternative to a label (for example on a plastic bag).

The information should be attached to the container by a self-adhesive label, or an attachable tag taped/tied to the container opening or handle.  The label should be resistant to, or protected from chemical spills.  Hand written labels on large waste containers (eg. winchesters or drums) is not encouraged.  Labels placed on winchesters should cover the original label to avoid any confusion.
 
The following RISK and SAFETY phrases/terminology may be useful to quickly indicate the hazards –

• Toxic, Harmful, or Irritant
• Explosive
• Polymerising material
• Unstable, or Potentially unstable
• Highly reactive
• Flammable liquid
• Flammable solid
• Corrosive
• Oxidizer
• Spontaneously combustible, Reactive when wet
• Peroxide, or Organic peroxide
• May react with water
• May be harmful if inhaled
• May be harmful to health if swallowed
• May be harmful by skin or eye contact
• May be harmful to the environment 
• Radioactive
• Biological material, Infectious, or Genetically Modified Organism
• Other (specify)

These terms are also used in the risk assessment process for waste materials sheet.

The internationally recognised risk and safety phrases (R and S numbers eg.R23, S42) may be used in addition to the above signal words – but it is not essential.

2.5 Specific chemical disposals

Within the Australian Capital Territory, Environment A.C.T. considers that only environmentally benign chemicals due either to an intrinsic lack of toxicity, or to the small quantity of material being disposed of, may be released (with approval) into the environment.  Disposals of environmentally-benign materials are allowed to the

• Air,
• Sewage system, or
• Landfill.

Only minimum quantities of material may be discharged to the sewerage system as defined in the ACTEW Trade Waste disposal guidelines.  For bulk waste chemicals, Environment ACT -approved contractors must be used to dispose of the waste.  The contractors generally transport the waste to Albury, Sydney or Melbourne for treatment/disposal.

Environmentally benign waste may be disposed of by landfill within the Mugga Lane Landfill.  Prior approval for the disposal is required from the Environment ACT using the guidelines and application form.

2.5.1 Contaminated consumables

There are several types of laboratory consumables that can be considered as hazardous waste.  They are –

• Scintillation vials (see radiation safety section)
• Personal protective equipment (heavily contaminated gloves or laboratory apparel).  Slightly contaminated PPE can be disposed of via burial in normal rubbish disposal.
• Spill cleanup materials.  Some material (eg. spill pillows and mats) may be able to be treated to remove the contaminant for proper disposal.  Please contact the waste disposal contractor for advice.

Laboratory consumables and contaminated materials should be disposed of via burial, according to the requirements of Environment ACT.

2.5.2 Contaminated glassware

Disposable glass pipettes should be disposed of via burial, according to the requirements of Environment ACT.

Contaminated (or broken) glassware, once rinsed with an appropriate solvent, should be disposed of via burial, according to the requirements of Environment ACT.

2.5.3 Chemicals no longer required

Chemicals no longer required may include old / aged chemicals, excess stock, or material no longer relevant to the research.

When laboratory chemicals are no longer required, consider returning them to the store (or ANU) for someone else to use.  The Hazardous Waste Safety Officer network is also able to track people using unusual chemicals who may be interested.  To access this service, please contact the OHS Unit.  Chemicals that have deteriorated or are contaminated should be disposed of via a contractor.

The advantage of disposing of laboratory chemicals in their original containers is that the containers should already be appropriately labelled.  Simply notify the Hazardous waste Safety Officer (or waste disposal contractor) before the next collection.

2.5.4 Chemicals that have deteriorated with age

Many laboratory chemicals will last many years without deteriorating or becoming contaminated with decomposition products.  For those that deteriorate, they may need to be recycled, treated or disposed of.

Some chemicals may deteriorate with time to the point where they become dangerous.  These chemicals require special handling or treatment.  Explosive laboratory chemicals and laboratory chemicals that may become explosive on deterioration are listed in the attachment.

Explosive chemicals -
A procedure has been established with the ACT Dangerous Goods Section, ACT WorkCover, whereby laboratory chemicals that are explosive (or that have the potential to become explosive due to deterioration) are collected from their storage site at the University and disposed of by supervised detonation.  The disposal procedure is initiated by the OHS Officer in cooperation with Budget Unit staff.  Contact your local Hazardous Waste Safety Officer.

All Budget Units should audit their chemical stocks regularly for explosive chemicals (or chemicals with explosive potential).  Any explosive chemical that a Budget Unit wishes to dispose of should be reported to the OHS Officer.
 

2.5.5 Unknown chemical compounds or mixtures

Unknown or unidentified chemical materials should be handled according to the requirements of the attached procedure.  These materials should not be handled or moved.

Small (sealed) chemical containers (eg. eppendorf tubes or samples < 1 g) may be placed in a clear plastic bag, sealed with tape, and then tagged.

2.5.6 Gaseous emissions, vapours and mists

Experiments that generate hazardous gaseous emissions and aerosols are conducted in a fume cupboard or other fume exhaust system.  Therefore the gaseous emissions, vapours and mists that are generated are removed from the laboratory.  The material is in effect disposed of to air in a controlled manner.  Fume exhaust systems are covered in the University’s Fume Exhaust Systems Hazard Management Procedures.

Pollution limited devices may be fitted to certain systems.  These must be maintained according to the manufacturers instructions or those in the ANU procedures.  The fume exhaust scrubber effluent is considered trade waste under ACTEW guidelines.

2.5.7 Liquid chemicals and solvents

Waste materials generally have the same properties as the original material.  That is, flammable liquids are still flammable, and need to be treated with the same respect for storage and handling.

The bulk of liquid waste chemicals are organic solvents.  Organic solvents must be disposed of using a waste contractor.  The common classes of liquid waste are -

Halogenated solvents – these have chloro-, bromo- or fluoro- atoms attached.  For example, dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, heavy liquids, etc.  These are stored separate to other hydrocarbon solvents as they are generally recycled.

See halogenated solvent label

Non-halogenated solvents -  (general hydrocarbons, except benzene or tetrahydrofuran (THF)) - All non-halogenated solvents (except benzene and tetrahydrofuran) may (generally) be mixed in the same storage drum, but a list giving the approximate proportions of the different solvents in the Winchester/drum would be required.  These solvents are generally burnt as fuel but may be recycled.  Solvents containing chemical initiators or reactive materials should be considered separately.

In general, segregation of ethers is recommended.  Organic solvents must be acid-free and peroxide-free. 

See non-halogenated solvent label

Benzene – is generally burnt as fuel. 

See benzene label

Ethers - Any ethers (including tetrahydrofuran) must be made peroxide-free before being stored for disposal.  All individual containers of ethers (including dioxan, THF, methoxyethanol, ethoxyethanol, etc.) must be rendered peroxide-free by mixing in 20 mL 5% aqueous ferrous sulphate per litre of ether before storage for disposal.  Another method of reducing peroxides in solvents is to store them with a small piece of copper mesh or a strip of copper.  Peroxides are usually visible appearing as white fluffy precipitates.  A simple test for presence of peroxides is to acidify a sample of the solvent with dilute acetic acid and to add a few drops of drops of colourless potassium iodide solution.  Dissolved peroxides will oxidise the iodide to iodine which is indicated by a brown colour change or by turning starch solution blue.

Tetrahydrofuran, THF – store separately and ensure it is peroxide-free, awaiting disposal.

Aqueous acidic solutions – See acid waste label

Aqueous (OXIDISING) acid solutions - Nitric acid containing wastes (and other oxidizing acid wastes) should be stored separately or may need to be treated before storage.

See oxidising acid waste label

Aqueous alkaline (basic) solutions - See alkaline waste label

Phenol – chloroform mix - See Phenol-chloroform waste label

Ethidium bromide waste - See Ethidium Bromide waste label and the procedures in the ethidium bromide hazard alert.

Cytotoxic waste- labelled as the individual chemical.

2.5.8 Dry or solid chemicals

Dry chemicals can be placed in glass or plastic containers and are best disposed of via a waste contractor.  Dry chemicals should be labelled with all the components and approximate proportions.

Some chemicals (eg. mercury, rare metals) may be worth money when recycled.

Small (sealed) chemical containers (eg. eppendorf tubes or samples < 1 g) may be placed in a clear plastic bag, sealed with tape, and then tagged.

2.5.9 Transition-metal or heavy-metal chemicals

Heavy-Metal laboratory chemicals

It is important that stocks of transition-metal and heavy-metal chemicals be kept to a minimum.  Any Budget Unit needing to use transition or heavy-metal laboratory chemicals should check their availability (before reordering from an external source) with the John Curtin School of Medical Research, the Research School of Chemistry and Chemistry, the Faculties.  Large stocks of many transition-metal and heavy-metal laboratory chemicals already exist.

Contact the hazardous waste safety officer of RSC if you wish to shed excess stock of such laboratory chemicals.

Heavy metals in solution can be precipitated as the sulphide and disposed off through the waste contractors.  If you have a significant volume, contact the waste contractor for the best form for disposal.
Residues containing only one heavy-metal like Platinum (Pt), Palladium (Pd), Osmium (Os), Gold (Au), Iridium (Ir), and Ruthenium (Ru), etc. are being recovered in RSC.  A waste contractor should be employed to dispose of waste containing multiple metals or other metals not listed above.

A heavy metal waste label is available.

Mercury, Mercury Salts, and Mercury Solutions

As distinct from other heavy metals, a facility is available for the processing and recycling of mercury metal (not amalgams) and some mercury compounds.  These are considered case-by-case, contact Alpha Chemicals.

Mercury metal is extremely dense and special (storage and) transport containers must be used.  These are also available from the waste contractor.  The use of glass for storage should be discouraged.

A Mercury waste label is available.

2.5.10 Photographic chemicals

The facilities and practices required in photographic laboratories operating on campus have been documented in the University's Photographic Laboratory Safety procedures.  This policy includes a section on the disposal of photographic chemicals.

Budget Units requiring disposal of photographic and silver-containing materials should contact the NITA Photomedia Workshop or the appropriate waste contractor.

2.5.11 Pesticides and their containers

The facilities and practices required for pesticide operations on campus have been documented in the University's Pesticide Safety procedures.  Only employees authorised to do so may work with pesticides at the University.  Such persons are familiar with the guidelines and should be consulted in the unlikely event of other staff needing to dispose of pesticide or pesticide containers.

All mixed pesticide that is unused after an application shall be retained and used as part of the next batch made up.  It would be most effective for each pesticide to be used and retained in a dedicated applicator.

All empty pesticide containers must be triple rinsed and punctured.  The rinse water shall be stored in the dedicated applicator for that pesticide and used to make up the next batch.  The rinsed pesticide containers shall be disposed of through the procedures of A.C.T. NOWaste, 62076540, www.nowaste.act.gov.au. Disposals occur twice monthly and an application form for approval for disposal is available on the NOWaste website (via "The Strategy", "Initiatives of the Strategy", and "drumMuster Program").

2.5.12 Paints and their containers

The facilities and practices required for painting operations on campus have been documented in the University's Painting procedures.  Disposal of paints and solvents should be via a Waste Contractor, with the exception that -

• Acrylic paints may be allowed to dry/harden.  The solid waste can then be disposed of in normal rubbish.
• Mixed two pack paints can be allowed to harden and then disposed of in normal rubbish.

(Acrylic) Paint and brush/roller washings are not allowed to enter the sewage system, without a special trade waste disposal permit.

2.5.13 Ozone depleting substances

Ozone depleting substances include many old refrigerant gases and BCF fire extinguishers.  Disposal can be arranged through DASChem.

2.5.14 Scheduled Drugs & Poisons

Scheduled drugs and poisons of 54, 58, 59 categories should be disposed of via incineration. Schedule 8 & 9 (drugs of addiction) drug disposal should be arranged through the ACT Pharmaceutical Services, according to their requirements.

2.5.15 Oils

PCB (Polychlorinated biphenyls)

Contact University Maintenance Manager, ext 54285

Industrial oils

Contact an approved oil waste disposal contractor.

Cutting and cooling oils used in workshops

Contact an approved oil waste disposal contractor.

2.5.16 Light tubes and bulbs

Fluorescent light tubes

Fluorescent light tubes should be recycled and the mercury retained.  University Maintenance, Facilities and Services has a tube collection bin.  Contact Manager, Recycling and Sustainable Sytems (Mr J Sullivan, ext 56605) or Chemsal for advice.

Mercury lamps

High and low-pressure mercury lamps should be recycled.  Contact University Maintenance Manager or Chemsal for advice.

Sodium lamps

Contact Chemsal for advice.

2.5.17 Batteries

Nickel-Cadmium batteries

NiCd batteries can be recycled free of charge.  The drop-off locations in the ACT are listed at http://recyclingnearyou.com.au/phones.cfm?cid=ACT

Leaded batteries

Lead acetate and lead-acid batteries should be recycled through an approved recycler or waste contractor.

Alkaline batteries

Alkaline batteries may be disposed of through the normal rubbish system.

2.5.18 Compressed gases

Compressed gases or cylinders that may require special disposal, include –

• Lecture bottles
• Empty cylinders that once contained specialised gas(es)
• Cylinders out of test date
• Heat-affected cylinders

Compressed gas in cylinders is best disposed of by returning the cylinders to the supplier.  BOC will generally accept used compressed gases (or lecture bottles or empty cylinders) of all types, including specialist gases that may have been supplied by other companies.  BOC offers a pick up service from any site in the University. 

Orders for this service should be directed to BOC Gases.

Lecture bottles are generally purchased along with the gas.  Contact Chemsal (see disposal contractors) for details and conditions.

A gas cylinder return guide is available for damaged and undamaged cylinders.

2.5.19 Asbestos and asbestos containing materials

Asbestos (in building materials, laboratory ware, etc.) must be disposed of via an authorised asbestos removalist or waste contractor.  Contact the Facilities Auditor, Facilities and Services, (x 53389) to arrange collection.

3.  BIOLOGICAL WASTE DISPOSAL

This topic is considered in depth at the Biological Safety Course offered regularly by the University.  Additional details are associated with the specialised Hazardous Waste Safety Officer network training.  Your local Hazardous Waste Safety Officer is also able to assist in disposal management.  For clinical or infectious waste, the National Health and Medical Research Council has published National Guidelines for the Management of Clinical and Related Wastes, 1988.  The ACT also has its own Clinical Waste Act 1990, and associated Clinical Waste Manual 1991, which should be referred to for detailed information.

The guiding principle with biological waste is that all biological material shall be rendered harmless (i.e. incapable of multiplying or transmitting genetic material) before leaving the control of the person who knows most about it.  Generally, this means autoclaving, or killing (e.g. with chemical disinfectant) at the laboratory followed by transport of the dead material to the licensed disposal facility.  This is typically Stericorp’s facility at Mitchell.

The following arrangements have been made with Stericorp for the routine collection of biological waste material on-site at ANU and its disposal at the Stericorp facility:

A. Collection will be made by the Stericorp truck at 5 sites on ANU campus, twice per week if necessary.  The sites are

• University Health Service,
• John Curtin School of Medical Research,
• Research School of Biological Sciences,
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Division (Faculty of Science), and
• Botany and Zoology (Faculty of Science)

Contact your Hazardous Waste Safety Officer to use this service.

B. Currently collection mornings are Wednesday and Friday.

C. Collections will be accepted in yellow 240 L SULO bins, purchased by the Budget Unit.  The specification of the bin is available from Stericorp.  The Stericorp truck is fitted with a hydraulic platform to arrange safe loading of the bin onto the truck.  A clean replacement bin is left in its place.

D. Participating Budget Units are to provide a secure storage location for the bins, and organise access for Stericorp at the time of collection.  The Budget unit management is required to complete a Transportation Certificate for Disposal of Clinical Waste to allow a complete tracking system for waste from point of generation to point of disposal.  This requirement may be waived if the organisation grants permission for Stericorp staff to act as accredited agent for completion of the certificate.  Further information is available from Stericorp. 
 
E. Stericorp treats biological material at their premises in Mitchell in one of two ways:

1. Incineration – in a high temperature EPA approved incinerator.
2. Electro Thermal Deactivation (ETD) – uses low frequency radio waves to heat and sterilise the waste.  Some items cannot be treated via ETD, including:
   1. Laboratory animals and associated animal wastes
   2. Waste containing hydrocarbons
   3. Waste emitting radiation over three times normal background level
   4. Cytotoxic waste
   5. Pathological waste
   6. Anatomical waste
   7. Trace chemotherapeutic waste
   8. Isolation ward waste
   9. Contaminated personal protective clothing, especially clothing.

These items need to be segregated from other waste being sent to Stericorp.  The driver who collects the waste must be made aware that these wastes are for incineration only, not ETD treatment

F. The quantity of material to be incinerated is weighed at Mitchell.  Invoices will be sent to individual Budget Units.

3.1 Disposal of General Biological Material

In general,

• yellow bags marked with a black biohazard symbol should be used for clinical or infectious biological waste,
• red bags marked with a radiation symbol should be used for radioactive waste, and
• purple bags marked with the cell in telophase symbol should be used for cytotoxic waste.

A flowchart on Biological Waste Disposal will be available shortly.

The various biological waste disposal process and disposal routes are -

Living material:
Must be inactivated by autoclaving, disinfection or superheated steam (plant material) prior to disposal by ETD, incineration, or burial in landfill.  Bags of autoclaved or killed material destined for landfill should not carry the label "Biohazard" after the pre-treatment.

Infectious / Clinical material:
See the Clinical Waste Act 1990 for the full definition of clinical waste.  Contact your Hazardous Waste Safety Officer, OHS unit or alternatively a copy can be found online at: http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/1990-5/current/pdf/1990-5.pdf. 

Clinical waste includes (among other things) waste resulting from the investigation of human or animal disease, or the investigation of human or animal tissue.  It is an offence under the ACT Clinical Waste Act 1990 to incorrectly dispose of clinical waste.

Autoclave or decontaminate and dispose of by incineration or ETD.

Sharps:
Treat via incineration or ETD directly in a puncture-proof container approved for incineration.

Ethidium Bromide:
An ethidium bromide waste bottle label is available.  For detailed information on the treatment of Ethidium Bromide in both buffer and solid form see: http://info.anu.edu.au/hr/OHS/Hazard_Alerts/_Ethidium_Bromide.asp. 

Animal carcasses and bedding:
If animal carcasses and bedding fall into the categories of gene of infectious waste, they must be autoclaved before sending to Stericorp for incineration. Animal carcasses that are not infectious may be sent directly to the incinerator. Animal bedding which is not infectious may be sent to landfill or compsted.

Non-contaminated waste materials will be generated in the laboratory as well as biologically contaminated material.  It is essential that the two types of waste are kept separate.  Biohazardous waste must be disposed of into a container that is clearly marked with a biohazard symbol.

Non- contaminated material:
such as paper and plastic should be accumulated in separate bins (clearly distinct from containers used for biological waste) and disposed of as domestic waste.

It is essential to ensure effective systems are in place to ensure that no breakdown occurs in the segregation of waste streams.

3.2 Disposal of Genetic Manipulation Material

The Commonwealth’s Gene Technology Act 2000 is administered by the Gene Technology Regulator (GTR).  The GTR publishes a set of guidelines to the Act called the Handbook on the Regulation of Gene Technology in Australia.  These guidelines require the Researcher to submit an application to the Institutional Biosafety Committee and the GTR for approval before genetic manipulation work may commence.  Disposal of waste materials from genetic manipulation work shall be carried out in accordance with the approved protocol.

Genetic manipulated material:
The GTR requires that all waste from Gene Technology work is sterilised (by autoclaving or superheated steam) or disinfected (liquid microbial waste) prior to disposal.  Alternatively, waste can be sent directly to an EPA approved incinerator.  In the case of sharps, no pre-treatment is required before waste is sent to Stericorp. 

For detailed instructions on how various types of gene technology waste is to be disposed of, consult the Handbook on the Regulation of Gene Technology in Australia, your Hazardous Waste Safety Officer or the OHS Unit.

3.3 Disposal of Imported Biological Products

The Commonwealth’s Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) stipulates that all imported biological material be disposed of according to the guidelines set by the NHMRC in National Guidelines for Waste Management in the Health Care Industry.  AQIS requires that materials such as antibodies, antisera, and enzymes be treated as clinical waste.  The source material, (and their used or unused containers) must be autoclaved or killed and disposed of by incineration or burial.

Even though certain imported products, either in their imported form or after disinfection, represent a lower or negligible risk, AQIS recommends that since effective separation of these is not simple, all wastes from this source be treated according the NHMRC National Guidelines.

3.4 Disposal of Carcases of Animals under Quarantine Control

Animal carcases, and human and animal tissue not under quarantine control are disposed of by methods described in Section 3.1.  Human and animal tissues / carcases must be segregated from other waste and treated by incineration not ETD.  Where the carcases or tissue waste is generated from animals imported into Australia and held in premises classified by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) as Quarantine Approved Premises, it must be disposed of by incineration.  Stericorp can arrange to provide a certificate of disposal for quarantine-controlled waste material for the necessary record-keeping purposes.

4.  RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL

This topic is covered in the Ionizing Radiation Safety training course offered regularly at the ANU.  Additional details are associated with the specialised Hazardous Waste Safety Officer network training.  Your local Hazardous Waste Safety Officer is also able to assist in disposal management.

It is an expectation under these guidelines that every effort will be made to minimise the generation of hazardous and radioactive waste – both in quantity and activity.  Where radioactive waste is to be generated, the disposal of any residual material, contaminated equipment, consumables or other items and waste products, shall be considered at the design stage of the experiment.  A protocol or waste disposal route must be available (and approved) before the work can be commenced. 

The disposal of radioactive waste in Commonwealth authorities is controlled under the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 and Regulations as administered by ARPANSA – the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.  Regulation 48 requires that dealings with the disposal of radioisotopes are in accordance with:

• National Health and Medical Research Council, Code of practice for the disposal of radioactive wastes by the user.  NHMRC, Canberra, 1985. http://www.health.gov.au/arpansa/rhs_pubs.htm
• National Health and Medical Research Council, Code of practice for the near-surface disposal of radioactive waste in Australia.  NHMRC, Canberra, 1992. http://www.health.gov.au/arpansa/rhs_pubs.htm
• Where disposal involves the release to the environment (sewage, burial etc) an ACT Radiation Council Disposal Permit must be current for the Budget Unit.

Radioactive waste can only be disposed of under the terms of these disposal requirements and of any restrictions imposed.  Methods of disposal in compliance with the above Codes must be strictly adhered to, and new radioactive experiments requiring different disposal methods or larger quantities of radioactive material must not be attempted without prior approval from ARPANSA via the ANU Radiation Safety Committee (see ANU Radiation Procedures – New Work).

4.1 Disposal Permit

The disposal of radioactive waste in the A.C.T. is controlled under the A.C.T. Radiation Act 1983 (see Schedule 3 specifically) and requires a Disposal Permit.  A Disposal Permit is issued by the ACT Radiation Council and is specific as to,

• The nuclides,
• Their quantity and form,
• The method of disposal (e.g. landfill, sewer, dispersal to air or incineration).

No disposal of radioactive materials is permitted without the knowledge and approval of the holder of the particular Disposal Permit.  Check with your Budget Unit Radiation Safety Officer or Hazardous Waste Safety Officer.

You must notify your Radiation Safety Officer of disposal amounts approaching the allowed limit, or levels above average disposal amounts.

Report any unusual events that may lead to excessive waste generation.
 

4.2 Disposal routes and processes

The hazard from radioactive material may be greatly reduced by the strategies of:

• Concentrate and contain,
• Store and decay,
• Dilute and disperse, and
• Return to manufacturer/supplier for reprocessing.

All radioactive material must carry a Radioactive label.

4.2.1 Concentrate and contain – radioactive waste should be quickly removal from the experimental area at the completion of work, and subsequently stored in a secure facility (waste store) to decay.  The material may eventually be transferred to the Australian Low Level Radioactive Material Repository, when it becomes available.

4.2.2 Store and Decay - is applicable to radionuclides with a half-life less than about 30 days (since a period of 10 half-lives will reduce activity by a factor of about 1000).  Note that the use of the storage/decay strategy requires a secure decay room and a detailed administrative control procedure to ensure that all material remains accounted for. 

The radioactive waste should be quickly removed from the experimental area at the completion of work, and subsequently stored in a secure facility (waste store) to decay.

(a)  Short-term Storage
The local storage of radioactive waste is not, in general, a sound policy since it may very easily be "lost" in some little frequented corner of the building.  Even when storage arrangements are worked out in some detail, the sudden departure of a worker from the University may result in stored radioactive waste being completely overlooked.  Thus, whenever it is feasible, the disposal of waste should be undertaken as soon as practicable.

There are three situations where it may be prudent to store radioactive waste for a short period under appropriately controlled and secure conditions:

• liquid waste containing a high level of activity might be subdivided into aliquots which could be poured down the drains over an extended period of time,
• for isotopes which have half life < 30 days, storage may result in a useful reduction of activity.  A period of about ten half-lives will reduce the activity by a factor of 1000.
  The bottles used for storage should have well-fitting stoppers and should carry a label giving information about the contents, the date of safe disposal and the worker's name.  Additional information may be required depending on the chemical mixture (consult the Labelling requirements).  They should be stored in a well-labelled, suitably shielded container in an unfrequented part of the laboratory/store and should be taken there in a secondary container to avoid close handling and the possibility of accidental breakage.  For beta emitters, the bottles and storage bins should be plastic of suitable thickness.
• when radioactive material has been injected into animals in the form of a compound for which the biological half-life is short ( < 3-4 days), there may be considerable variations in the amount of activity excreted from day to day.  The disposal of radioactive waste can best be regulated if all the waste material from the experiments (bedding, faeces, carcasses, etc.) is collected for a period of about 2 weeks and then, if necessary, subdivided into smaller amounts for disposal.  Waste collected subsequently should also be treated as radioactive but it is probably unnecessary to try to estimate its activity.
  For the preservation of animal carcasses without decomposition prior to disposal, a cocooning procedure has been developed [Boursnell, J.C. and Gleeson-White, M.H., Temporary preservation of carcasses of small laboratory animals containing radioactive isotopes. Nature 179, 54 (1957)].

(b)  Long-term Storage

When none of the disposal methods given above is satisfactory, arrangements must be made for the removal of the waste to a special radioactive waste store for long-term storage.

Sources typically considered for long-term storage, include:

• alpha emitters,
• Neutron sources,
• Long-lived isotopes of high radiotoxicity,
• Incombustible waste containing more than 40 MBq of long-lived isotopes,
• Sealed sources.

4.2.3 Dilute and disperse - is effective if the levels released are sufficiently diluted so as not to represent any significant risk to health or to the environment.  There are four options to be considered by a Budget Unit in the disposal of radioactive waste using the dilute/disperse strategy, these being

a) dilution into sewer,
b) burial in landfill,
c) incineration to air,
d) dispersal to air.

(a)  Dilution into Sewer
The average large laboratory uses over 1000 litres of water each day, and the sink provides a safe and satisfactory means of disposal of radionuclides in aqueous solution provided the following control procedures are followed:

• maximum discharge rate  =  20 x ALI (annual limit of intake by ingestion) over a 7 day period for a nuclide,
• maximum activity of discharge  =  MPC (maximum permissible water concentration) at any time.

The ingestion ALI is listed in AS 2243.4
The MPC (water) is listed in Schedule 1 of the A.C.T. Radiation Act 1983.

The maximum discharge rate given above applies to a sewer outlet, and several sinks may all drain into the same outlet, thus care must be exercised so the discharge from these sinks does not lead to contravention of the limit for the one sewer outlet.  The maximum activity limit applies to the activity concentration of the waste at the point of discharge in the laboratory.
In addition to the above requirements on levels of radioactivity discharged, the following rules must also be strictly adhered to when radioactive waste is disposed of via the sink:

• Only water solutions should be disposed of via the sink.
• Insoluble radioactive material must not be put into the drains.  These should go to burial.
• Other ingredients in the waste must not infringe on the ACTEW trade waste guidelines.
• The waste should first be diluted before pouring into the sink.
• The waste should be flushed down with a copious stream of water. 
• Only water-soluble scintillation fluid may be disposed of through the drain.  Organic scintillation fluid is disposed of by incineration.
• Certain sinks should be set aside and labelled for the disposal of radioactive waste and these should be directly connected to the main drainage system of the building by closed drains.  Accessible pipe work from these sinks should be labelled.
• Carrier-free material or material of high specific activity must be mixed with a large quantity of its non-radioactive counterpart (carrier) before flushing into the drains.  If possible this carrier should be in the same chemical form as the active material.  Where this is not possible - for example, with material of biological origin, then the same chemical element in an inorganic form should be added.  The addition of carrier avoids selective accumulation of highly active material by the microorganisms populating the drains, sewers and rivers.  This is particularly important when a geologically rare element or one that is selectively accumulated in the human body is being dealt with.  It must be emphasized that it is essential to mix the waste with carrier before it is flushed down the drains since adequate mixing cannot occur otherwise.

Additional information is available in the ANU Radiation Safety Course Notes.

(b)  Controlled Burial
Solid radioactive waste must be collected separately, and kept segregated from non-radioactive waste.  Small refuse bins with foot-operated lids are very convenient.  Each bin should be clearly marked as a container of radioactive waste, and should be lined with a polyethylene bag.  Regularly, and when full, the plastic bag should be placed in a paper bag, labelled with –

• the laboratory of origin,
• the date (month/year) of packaging,
• the nuclide(s) contained within,
• their approximate activity,

then sealed and removed to a safe place for temporary storage until burial can be arranged.

The following conditions apply to controlled burial,

• the maximum dose rate at the surface of each package shall be not more than 20 microSv/h,
• there is no limit on the number of packages buried at any one disposal period but details of the number of packages and the nuclides they contain have to be given to the Officer in charge of the controlled burial site.
• A Burial Statement must be provided at the time of disposal.  The Mugga Waste Facility receives radioactive waste for controlled burial on the third Wednesday of February, May, August and November at 10 a.m. 

Radioactive waste that is transported to Mugga Lane Waste Management Facility for burial during a scheduled disposal period must be in either red bags (labelled 'radioactive' and the trefoil symbol) or other suitable containers and marked "radioactive".

(c)  Incineration
Incineration is available at the Stericorp facility, Mitchell.
Combustible waste that contains low levels of radioactivity may be incinerated provided that the isotopes present will form volatile products (e.g. 3-H, 14-C, 125-I).  However this is not possible for isotopes like 32-P, 33-P, 35-S or 45-Ca that would simply concentrate in the ash and cause a dust hazard.

Incineration is the most generally applicable method for the disposal of all putrefiable waste such as animal carcasses and excreta.  Provided authorisation has been granted, small carcasses containing low- or medium-toxicity isotopes may be sent to the incinerator.  If it is necessary to dispose of larger radioactive carcasses or ones that contain higher toxicity or non-volatile nuclides, special arrangements should be made through the Radiation Safety Officer or Hazardous Waste Safety Officer.

Incineration is also available for flammable liquid scintillation fluids.  Fluid containing concentrations of 3-H, 14-C, or 125-I appropriate for normal scintillation counting is acceptable.  Plastic vials only are accepted, and must be securely packaged in plastic bags, containers or boxes, or cardboard boxes with not more than 2 L of fluid per package.  Glass vials are not acceptable. 

The procedure for storing and having your radioactive waste accepted for incineration includes-

a) Bins in which radioactive waste is to be placed must be lined with a RED bag on which is printed the trefoil symbol and the word "radioactive". These bags can then be held in a decay-store area as required.

b) Where the waste is decay-stored it must be checked with a radiation monitor by the RSO before it is released as non-radioactive waste. If it is no longer radioactive within the meaning in the Radiation Act, it must be put into a yellow "clinical waste" or other suitable bag before it is allowed to leave the premises.

c) If the disposer has a Disposal Permit authorising disposal of very low-level radioactive waste by incineration, the waste is to be released in the red bag after the Radiation Safety Officer has determined that it conforms to the Permit restrictions.

d) SteriCorp will incinerate red bags; other bags will go into the EDT system (see the Biological Waste Disposal section for further information).

e) Radioactive waste that is transported to Mugga Lane waste Management Facility for burial during a scheduled disposal period must be in either red bags (labelled 'radioactive' and the trefoil symbol) or other suitable containers and marked "radioactive".

(d)  Dispersal to Atmosphere
Laboratory exhaust systems discharge airborne radioactivity into the atmosphere.  This means of disposal is permissible within strict limits.  The concentration of radionuclides at the point of discharge should not exceed the maximum permitted concentration in air as shown in Schedule 1 of the A.C.T. Radiation Act.  Also, the point of discharge into the atmosphere should be at an adequate height to prevent contamination to neighbouring buildings.  Additional details on fume exhaust systems are available.

Any radioactive materials that are not able to be safety disposed of using the above processes should be reported to the OHS Officer for the attention of the Radiation Safety Committee.

5.  HAZARDOUS WASTE STORAGE FACILITIES

Hazardous waste storage facilities are those areas used to store hazardous waste while awaiting pickup by a waste contractor.  A waste storage facility should  –

• Be a Hazardous and Restricted location under the ANU Procedures for access.
• Be secure, with access limited to authorised persons only – eg. the Hazardous Waste Safety Officer, Radiation Safety Officer, biological safety officer, chemical safety officer, senior technical officers, and their deputies.
• Strictly controlled in terms of the material accepted (appropriate package type, label, and risk assessed), their storage assignment/location and manifest of facility contents.
  For chemical waste - A completed documented risk assessment of waste stability in storage should be sighted/collected/confirmed before the waste is accepted.
• A manifest form is available for chemical waste, biological waste and radioactive waste.
• A hazardous waste store should only contain hazardous waste.
• Items likely to be stored for more than 3 months should be inspected (generally monthly) for –
  • Leakage
  • Gas pressure build-up within the container
  • Unusual changes in material, substance, or condition
    The responsible safety officer may relax this requirement for radioactive or biological waste.
• Allow for the separation and segregation of waste according to their hazards or Dangerous Goods Class.
• Meet the design requirements for dangerous goods stores.  This should include some bunding or containment to prevent spills/leaks from entering the environment.
• Packages should be protected from harsh environmental conditions.
• Have access to a spill control kit and spill management plan.
• Adequately ventilated to reduce the accumulation of explosive or harmful vapours.
• Items should not be stored directly on the floor.  Adequate shelves, storage bins/containment trays should be provided.
• Maintained in a neat and tidy condition at all times.
• Store waste containers so that the label is visible.

6.  PACKAGING AND TRANSPORT OF HAZARDOUS WASTE

The process of waste disposal generally requires transportation of the waste from the location where the waste was generated to the location of its disposal.  For this transportation to be done in the safest possible way it is essential that the following needs be considered:
1.   Packaging of the waste in a form suitable for the type of transportation,
2.   Labelling of the packaged waste,
3.   Storage prior to transport,
4.   Labelling of the transport vehicle,
5.   Transportation to the site of disposal.

Suitable containers must be Dangerous Goods approved as indicated by a series of symbols and codes stamped into the container.

Chemical disposal in the majority of cases involves Waste Disposal Contractors who will have the specifications and materials required for packaging, labelling and transport to the site of disposal.  It is the responsibility of the Budget Unit to ensure that the waste is correctly stored while awaiting disposal.  Dangerous goods of different classes should not be stored together.  Packages should be protected from harsh environmental conditions and unauthorised access.  In general, chemical waste shall be stored under similar conditions as the original material.

Detailed storage, packaging and transport requirements can be found in the following codes,

Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail
Dangerous Goods Regulations, International Air Transport Association
Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Substances
A.C.T. Radiation Act

Copies of these documents are available at the OHS Unit for consultation.

HISTORY

These hazard management procedures were issued July 1991, revised July 1992, October 1998.  These procedures were prepared by the OHS Unit, reviewed by the Hazardous Waste Safety Committee, reviewed by employees and management at the OHS Policy Committee of 19 December 2003, and approved by the Director, Human Resources on 19 December 2003.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The literature listed below is available for consultation at
the Occupational Health and Safety Unit, G-block, Old Administration Area

ACTEW Corporation
Policy for the acceptance of non-domestic waste (trade-waste) into the Sewerage Network, version 1, 5 December 2002.

ACTEW Corporation
Acceptance Criteria for non-domestic waste (trade-waste) discharging into the Sewerage Network, version 1, 5 November 2002.

A.C.T. Government
Radiation Act, 1983
AGPS, Canberra

Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australian and New Zealand
Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council
National Water Quality Management Strategy.
Guidelines for Sewerage Systems - Acceptance of Trade Waste, November 1994.
AGPS, Canberra

Australian/New Zealand Standards

AS/NZS 3816:1998  Management of clinical and related wastes.
AS/NZS 4261:1994  Reusable containers for the collection of sharp items used in human and animal medical applications.
AS/NZS 4494:1998  Discharge of commercial and industrial liquid waste to sewer - General performance requirements.

L. Bretherick
Hazards in the Chemical Laboratory 4th edition, Royal Society of Chemistry, London, 1986

Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards 3rd edition, Butterworths, London, 1985

Commonwealth of Australia,
Australian Dangerous Goods Code
AGPS, Canberra, 6th edition, 1998.

International Air Transport Association
Dangerous Goods Regulations
IATA, Montreal, 1998

G. Lunn and E.B. Sansone
Destruction of Hazardous Chemicals in the Laboratory
Wiley Interscience, New York, 2nd edition, 1994

National Health & Medical Research Council
Code of Practice for the Disposal of Radioactive Wastes by the User (1985)
AGPS, Canberra,1986

National Health & Medical Research Council
National Guidelines for the Management of Clinical and Related Wastes
AGPS, Canberra,1988

M.J. Pitt and E. Pitt
Handbook of Laboratory Waste Disposal
Ellis Horwood Ltd, Chichester, 1985