UTMB HANDBOOK OF OPERATING PROCEDURES

Section 8 Health and Safety Subject 8.1 Preventive Occupational and Environmental Medicine Policy 8.1.6 Removal/Disposal of Hazardous Waste

11/01/97 -Originated 04/30/08 -Reviewed w/ changes -Reviewed w/o changes Health & Safety Services -Author

Removal/Disposal of Hazardous Waste

Policy

UTMB is committed to the removal and disposal of hazardous waste in accordance with federal, state and local laws and regulations. As a result, UTMB has specific procedures which must be complied with to maintain the necessary permits required for continuing operations at UTMB. Removal and disposal of any waste deemed hazardous by federal, state and local laws or by UTMB Environmental Health and Safety - Environmental Protection Management (EHS-EPM) shall be as defined by this policy. General procedures are set forth in the UTMB Safety Manual, Chapter 10 “Hazardous Waste Disposal.” Unless otherwise specified by EHS-EPM, these procedures shall be followed for all hazardous waste removal and disposal operations. The chapter includes information on the required procedures for the disposal of all (non- radioactive) hazardous wastes, including medical and chemical wastes. EHS-EPM may determine where site and waste specific procedures are required in addition to procedures found in the UTMB Safety Manual. Additional required procedures can be obtained from the department head or by contacting EHS-EPM. Compliance with this policy will be monitored by Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). EHS will audit each area a minimum of once a year for compliance with this policy. Areas found not in compliance shall be, at a minimum, re-trained in appropriate hazardous waste removal and disposal procedures for the area found to be not in compliance with this policy.

Exceptions

Removal and disposal of radioactive waste shall be in accordance with additional procedures set forth in the UTMB Radiation Safety Manual or by EHS-Radiation Safety.

Roles and Responsibilities

Department Heads – Department heads shall ensure that all new employees attend the mandatory Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) segment of the New Employee Orientation as scheduled and required by Human Resources and return all required forms to EHS. Department heads are also responsible for any area-specific training required to comply with EHS requirements. Area Supervisor – Area supervisors shall ensure appropriate waste disposal procedures are followed and they shall keep all employees informed of any changes in procedures or waste produced in the area. Employees – Employees shall comply with the procedures set forth by this policy when removing and disposing of hazardous waste. In addition, employees shall be informed of all possible sources of hazardous waste, standard spill response procedures, and any information obtained from Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) which is relevant to their work area. Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) – EHS is responsible for: training employees concerning any possible hazardous wastes in their work area, site-specific procedures for removal and disposal, and informing department heads of any changes to existing removal and disposal procedures for hazardous waste

Additional Information

For information or assistance regarding specific hazardous waste removal and disposal procedures or for information regarding any questions of proper, safe and lawful hazardous or radioactive waste disposal, contact EHS The UTMB Safety Manual and UTMB Radiation Safety Manual are updated by EHS to reflect changing laws and regulations regarding hazardous or radioactive waste disposal.