SIGNS AND LABELS

Warning labels need to be affixed to containers of regulated waste, refrigerators and freezers containing blood or other potentially infectious material; and other containers used to store, transport, or ship blood or other potentially infectious materials. These labels are fluorescent orange, red, or orange-red, and they are available from EHS. Bags used to dispose of regulated waste must be red or orange red, and they, too, must have the biohazard symbol readily visible upon them. Regulated waste should be double-bagged to guard against the possibility of leakage if the first bag is punctured.

Regulated waste refers to:

• Any liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious materials
• Contaminated items that would release blood or other potentially infectious materials in a liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed
• Items that are caked with dried blood or other potentially infectious materials and are capable of releasing these materials during handling
• Contaminated sharps
• Pathological and microbiological wastes containing blood or other potentially infectious materials

All regulated waste must be disposed in properly labeled containers or red biohazard bags. These must be disposed at an approved facility. Most departments or facilities that generate regulated waste will have some sort of contract with an outside disposal company that will come pick up their waste and take it to an approved incineration/disposal facility.

Non-regulated waste (i.e., does not fit the definition of regulated waste provided above) that is not generated by a medical facility such as the Student Health Center, or human health-related research laboratory may be disposed in regular plastic trash bags if it has been decontaminated or autoclaved prior to disposal.

Diseases / Transmission / Personal Protective Equipment / Work Practices / Signs & Labels / Emergency Procedures