Page 48 - The Veterinary Laboratory and Field Manual 3rd Edition

Setting up and using a laboratory service 17

Legislation (national and local be minimized by laboratory staff knowing and
authorities) following correct methods for:

Legislative requirements with regard to health • separating infectious materials and labora-
and safety procedures, as well as biosecurity tory waste
requirements, vary from country to country. It • decontaminating and disposing of non-reusable
is important to contact local authorities before laboratory consumables and infectious waste
a laboratory is built to determine how any local • cleaning and sterilizing reusable consumables
regulations may affect the day-to-day function- and equipment.
ing of the facility. Special rules may apply to the
training of staff and the use of safety equipment, It is the responsibility of the laboratory super-
provision of containment facilities and so on. visor to avoid environmental pollution and to
minimize the potential danger to the staff within
the facility and the general public.
Waste disposal and biosecurity The waste fractions in Table 1.1 are gathered
separately by the people working in the labora-
Laboratory staff have the responsibility to pro- tory. Some of these fractions should be treated
tect themselves, customers, the community and before disposal.
the environment from injury or damage originat- Non-biological, non-combustible wastes (that
ing from infectious or toxic laboratory waste and is, broken glass, decontaminated sharps, some
to minimize the hazards involved in decontami- plastics and metals) can be stored in a well-con-
nation, recycling and disposal. These risks can structed waste store (that is, with solid concrete

Table 1.1 Handling of common laboratory wastes.

Waste fractions Treatment disposal
Infectious waste (used Steam sterilization Remainder waste (incinerator or approved
bacteriological media, used dumping ground)
swabs, etc.)
Carcasses Biological pit or If incinerator is used: ash (remainder waste –
incinerator dumping ground)
Used sharps (infected or not) Steam sterilization Stored in plastic containers in a waste store
stored in sharps containers until a professional waste treating company can
take care of it. Never bury sharps
Dirty reusable not infected ware Washing The water used to clean the laboratory ware
(glassware, plastic ware) should be removed through a separate sewage
system if possible
Dirty non-reusable not infected Remainder waste (incinerator or approved
items dumping ground)
Paper, non-infectious plastic Remainder waste (incinerator or dumping
ground)
Dangerous chemicals Should be disposed of according to local
authority regulations through professional
waste disposal services (if available).

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