019 Management of Waste and Hazardous Substances PPP

1. Purpose

Strong waste management processes are essential for ensuring worker and client safety during service delivery. Proactive Support is committed to protecting all workers, clients, and other individuals present from harm resulting from exposure to waste, infectious or hazardous substances generated during delivery of supports.

Proactive Support endeavours to avoid generation of the waste stream by maximising, reusing and recycling where possible. Where the generation of waste cannot be avoided, Proactive Support will dispose of waste in a manner that protects people and the environment.  

Our waste management processes are intended to:  

• Minimise risks of contamination and the spread of infection  

• Reduce damage to the environment  

• Improve occupational health and safety for workers  

• Comply with legislation  

• Maintain our reputation and strengthen community relationship

2. Scope

This policy covers all Proactive Support Staff working in an environment where management of waste and hazardous substances is required.

3. Definitions

Hazardous Substances is used as a term to include all infectious substances, hazardous substances, toxic waste, body substances and chemicals.

General Waste is any waste that is not a kind of clinical waste, is not chemical waste, has not been in contact with infectious agents, hazardous chemicals or radioactive substances, and does not pose a sharps hazard.

Infectious Waste is waste contaminated by bodily fluids, laboratory waste (e.g. cultures and stocks) and waste from clients who have infections (e.g. bandages, swabs).

Pathological Waste is human tissue, organs or fluids (not including hair, teeth and nails) and contaminated animal carcasses.

Sharps are needles, syringes, disposable scalpels and blades.

Chemical Waste is, as an example, disinfectants, batteries, heavy metals in medical devices etc.  

Pharmaceutical Waste is expired, unused or contaminated medicines and vaccines.

Cytotoxic Waste contains genotoxic agents (e.g. cancer medications).

Note: Urine, faeces, vomit, sputum and meconium are not considered bodily fluids. Therefore, they do need not be treated as hazardous waste and can be flushed or disposed of in landfill without treatment. The only exceptions are if they visibly contain blood, or if the client has a known or suspected communicable disease.

4. Rights and Responsibilities

All Staff 

All staff are required to: 

• Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and for the safety of the participants they are working with 

• Follow safe work procedures, instructions and rules 

• Participate in safety training 

• Report all injuries and incidents 

Management 

Management will: 

• Ensure the business complies with current legislation and local health district requirements – specifically Queensland Government Clinical and related waste Guideline. (see reference below) 

• Be aware of the hazards and risks associated with management of waste and hazardous substances

• Listen to staff if they are concerned about their working environment 

• Monitor conditions at the workplace for the purpose of preventing illness or injury to workers 

• Consult staff when conducting risk assessments and planning effective risk controls. 

• Eliminate or minimise all workplace hazards and risks as far as is reasonably practicable 

• Provide information, instruction and training to enable all staff to work safely when handling hazardous healthcare waste, including training related to PPE.

• Be responsive to staff who raise safety issues 

• Establish policies and procedures to ensure healthcare waste is stored and disposed of safely and appropriately

• Report, record, investigate and review if an incident related to hazardous waste occurs

• Yearly evaluation and review of the emergency plan to respond to issues or accidents involving hazardous healthcare waste (see no. 13 of this PPP).

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5. The Risks of Hazardous Waste

Adverse effects may result from exposure to hazardous waste or inadvertent release into the environment, including:

• Infections

• Antimicrobial resistance

• Injuries from sharps

• Air pollution

• Thermal injuries

• Radiation burns

• Environmental contamination

• Environmental damage

6. Identification

Hazardous substances may be identified through various means, including:

• Risk assessments

• Environment checks as part of a Work Health and Safety Audit

• Information notification of infectious participant

Once identified, all hazardous substances are to be documented by any staff member in the Proactive Support Business > Registers >Chemicals and Hazardous Substances Register in the following format:

• Name

• Location

• Description of Hazard

• Control Mechanism

• Medical Information

• Disposal Instructions

• Emergency Plan

• Check Date

• Notes

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7. Waste Segregation

Segregation is an integral component of safe waste, allowing different types of waste to be easily identified. 

General Waste

General waste constitutes the bulk of waste generated by health care organisations and is no more of a public health risk than standard domestic waste. If properly managed, it should prevent no actual risk to workers or other individuals.  

General waste should be contained in white or opaque bags which are labelled accordingly. General waste is to be placed in the general waste bin for disposal. General waste may be further separated into recyclable or compostable streams as described by the local council waste management plan.

Clinical Waste

Clinical waste is waste generated in a clinical or similar setting that has the potential to cause disease, injury or public offence. Clinical waste must be properly segregated, packaged, labelled, handled and transported to minimise risk to workers and the community, including needle stick injuries and transmission of disease.

Clinical waste is to be placed in biohazard bags as soon as reasonably possible. Biohazard bags will be identifiable to workers by their biohazard symbol and yellow colour.

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8. Safe Collection of Hazardous Waste – Procedure

At the time and place of generation, hazardous waste should be bagged, packaged or placed into the designated container. After this initial collection, there should be no more direct contact with the waste.

When collecting waste in a plastic bag, ensure the bag is strong enough to contain the waste and is appropriately labelled depending on the type of waste. Do not fill the bag beyond two-thirds of its capacity.

The following are important considerations for waste collection:

• If the container is to be incinerated, use non-PVC plastic liners.

• Do not secure bags with closure devices (e.g. metal staples) that could puncture them.

• Waste must be transported in containers. Do not use bags to transport waste.

• Containers used to store cytotoxic waste must be strong enough to resist spillage, leakage or breakage. They must not be reusable.

• Containers used to store pharmaceutical waste must be non-reactive, tamper-proof, able to resist impact rupture and able to contain spills. Once the waste is ready to be disposed of, you should not be able to remove it from the container.

• Double-bagging may be used to increase strength when transporting heavy loads. However, this will need to be performed carefully to avoid spillage or accidental exposure to waste.

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9. Collecting Sharps - Procedure

Sharps containers must have rigid walls (hard, unbendable sides that are resistant to breakage). Some are reusable and must be emptied, cleaned and disinfected appropriately. Single-use sharps containers must never be reused.

When collecting sharps:

• Ensure a sharps container is in close proximity when handling sharps so that the sharp can be immediately disposed of.

• Always wear PPE when handling sharps.

• Ensure the sharps container has adequate space to accommodate the sharp.

• Place the needle and syringe (still connected) into the sharps container.

• Do not try to recap the needle or separate the needle and syringe.  

Sharps Containers

Sharps containers must only be used for objects that can puncture the skin, including:

• Hypodermic needles

• Syringes

• Scalpels

• Lancets

• Wires.

Do not put other objects or non-sharp components of sharps (e.g. needle caps) into sharps containers.

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10. Safe Storage of Hazardous Waste

• Storage of the hazardous substance should conform to the details in the Register.  

• Hazardous waste should have designated storage areas away from food and clean storage areas. Storage areas are to be cleaned regularly and kept free of odour.

• Workers should minimise the handling of waste bags and avoid decanting from one bin to another.

• When clinical waste is being handled, workers should hold bags away from the body by the closed top of the bag and place directly into the appropriate bin.

• Appropriate protective clothing and equipment is to be worn when closing clinical waste bags and placing them into the bin.

• Sharps must never be placed in waste bags.

• Hazardous waste must be stored in bags and containers according to the colour-coding system.

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11. Safe Disposal of Hazardous Waste

There are a variety of treatment methods for hazardous waste. The most appropriate method will depend on the type of waste, with the goal being to:

• Make the waste as safe as possible.

• Minimise harm to the environment.

• Reduce the volume of waste.

• Render the waste non-recognisable by altering its physical nature.

Furthermore, the treatment and disposal process should:

• Limit the creation of hazardous or toxic by-products.

• Have automatic controls and fail-safe mechanisms.

• Ensure no waste can bypass the process.

Methods of waste treatment include:

• Incineration.

• Autoclave (steam sterilisation) and shredding.

• Chemical disinfection (using either hypochlorite or peroxide and lime) and shredding.

• Microwave disinfection and shredding.

Once treated, the waste is generally sent to landfill. Compaction can be used to decrease the volume of some types of waste before treatment and disposal, but it is not an appropriate standalone method.

12. Incident

Should an incident occur with hazardous substances while they are in storage or being disposed of:

• It is to be managed (recorded, reported, investigated, and reviewed) as per the 008 Incident Management Policy.

• The Emergency Plan (below) and Medical Information in the Register should provide the framework for the appropriate response in dealing with the incident.

• Following the incident, the Emergency Plan should be evaluated for its efficacy, and revisions made if required.

13. Emergency Plan

Where a hazardous substance management issue / accident occurs (such as a spill, splash) the following emergency plan should be carried out:

1. Notify persons in the immediate area that an accident has occurred

2. Apply first aid procedures if necessary (immediately implement personal decontamination procedures (i.e. eyewash, safety shower, etc.)  and access any injury or exposure to clinical or hazardous substances.

3. Avoid breathing vapours, mists, or dust of the substance

4. Turn off all ignition sources, if possible

5. Don Personal Protective Equipment to clean it up, then dispose of the PPE in a hazardous waste bag

6. Notify Emergency Services, if required, by calling 000

7. Notify Proactive Support management to assist, follow up incident and review procedures

8. This plan will be evaluated for effectiveness and revisions made as required

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14. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Workers must use appropriate PPE when necessary. Proactive Support and/or the participant, carer or nominee will provide all workers who deal with waste and hazardous substances with necessary protective equipment and clothing.  

Staff will be trained in the proper use of their PPE and attend refreshers as required, entered into ShiftCare alerts.

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15. Training

• Staff involved in the management of waste and infectious or hazardous substances will receive appropriate Work Health and Safety training at the Proactive Support Induction.

• Staff training is verified by a sign in sheet and is entered into the Staff Case and Training notes.

• Should new hazardous substances be identified, staff will receive further training if required

• 095 Training and Resources Manual June 2024 will be utilized to plan and implement appropriate training

• The training will consist of:

• Safe and appropriate handling.

• Protective clothing (PPE) and equipment required, including how to use it correctly.

• Following the Emergency Plan (see 13).

• Writing up Hazardous Substances in the Register.

• Emergency response procedures.

16. Related Documentation

Proactive Support 

004 Risk Management Framework

005 Risk Management Policy

006 Work Health and Safety Policy

008 Incident Management Policy

015 Managing an Incident Procedure

016 Reporting an Incident Procedure

032 Pandemic Outbreak Plan, including COVID-19

PS #108 ‘Risk Assessment’ Form

Chemicals and Hazardous Substances Register

095 Training and Resources Manual June 2024

External

Work Health and Safety Act, 2011 

Work Health and Safety Regulation, 2011 

NDIS Practice Standards 2018

NDIS Practice Standards: NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators

Clinical and Related Waste, Qld Government https://www.des.qld.gov.au/policies?a=272936:policy_registry/pr-gl-clinical-and-related-waste.pdf

Stericycle: Understanding Sharps Waste and Safe Needle Disposal

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