Document number: HSWM-0013
Hotel Services – Waste Management
Standard Operating Procedure
Title: Internal Waste Storage
Written by: Martin Long
Change Control
Version: Date Author(s): Summary of
Changes:
0.1 25.01.11 Martin Long 1st Draft
0.2
0.3
0.4
Contents
Page: Contents:
2 Introduction
2 Purpose of guidance
2 Principles
3 Assumptions
3 Scope
4 Procedure for Internal Waste Storage
Review Date and Person/Group to Review
01.04.2012 Trust Waste Manager
Standard Operating Procedures Martin Long Head of Hotel Services
Standard Operating Procedure
Title: Internal Waste Storage
Introduction
The Trust has established a number of specific waste streams that reflect the type and
category of the wastes that it produces across all of its sites.
These waste types/categories are identified using colour coded containers or bags e.g.;
Black bags to identify waste whose collection and disposal is subject to
no special requirements in order to prevent infection. Black bagged
waste is disposed of by incineration but could go directly to land fill.
Yellow lidded sharps containers identify waste whose collection and
disposal is subject to special requirements including sharps and
equipment used for medicines, sharps and equipment contaminated with
chemicals, residual medicines sealed within there original containers and
small amounts of spoilt pharmaceuticals (e.g. individual contaminated
tablets etc.)
Having correctly identified each waste stream and designed its primary containment, it
is imperative, and a legal requirement, that waste segregation is maintained during its
internal storage.
Throughout the Trusts, specifically designated, secure waste storage rooms or areas
have been designated in order to hold waste prior to its collection and remove from
clinical areas.
Internal storage segregation is maintained by using one of the following methods:
Primary containment units (bags/containers) are stored in
colour coded Sulo bins within waste stores. Any Sulo bins
being kept outside of secure storage areas must be locked
at all times once in use.
Where space does not allow for Sulo bins to be stationed,
bags and sharps containers must be segregated in waste
cupboards.
Bagged and sharps waste must never be stored together
under any circumstances.
Some waste streams may require
dedicated storage facilities because of the
nature of the waste e.g. Gypsum and
Inflammables.
Only waste specifically designated for storage within each room or
area can be stored in said area e.g.
=
Standard Operating Procedures Martin Long Head of Hotel Services
1. Purpose of guidance
1.1 Consistency of procedures across all of the Trust in patient areas.
1.2 To ensure that the Trust maintains its waste segregation and consignment
responsibilities.
1.3 To ensure that the Trust responds in a timely fashion to barrier nursing issues.
1.4 To provide core information for staff training on waste management.
1.5 To ensure legislative compliance.
2. Principles
2.1 The design of all new, and the reviewing of existing controls of each waste
stream, is the responsibility of the Trusts Waste manager.
2.2 Individual responsibility and accountability cannot be devolved to the centre and
remains with everyone involved with waste generation, identification, security,
segregation, movement, collection and ultimately disposal.
2.3 Waste management systems must reflect the individual needs of each site, with
the centrally maintained controls reflecting these needs.
2.4 The process and outcome will meet the needs of all relevant legislation and
publish Environmental Agency guidelines.
3. Assumptions
3.1 All Hotel Services managers, designated waste leads and front line staff involved
in waste handling are fully trained and familiar with the Trust waste handling
processes.
3.2 That all clinical staff involved in the generation, temporary storage and handling
of waste are fully aware of the Trusts requirements in relation to the correct
identification, segregation and security of each waste stream.
4. Scope
4.1 The principles included in this Standard Operating Procedure will be applied fully
and consistently on all of the Trusts sites, on all units/departments within each of
the Trusts sites.
4.2 The duty for the Trust (regarding healthcare waste), is to:
o Ensure management procedures are in place to facilitate compliance
o Ensure equipment, facilities and systems are in place for staff to use, and
o Ensure staff are adequately trained to deal appropriately with the waste types
they encounter at work
Standard Operating Procedures Martin Long Head of Hotel Services
Procedure for: Internal Waste Storage
Wherever possible all waste other than
domestic should not be disposed of in
clinical areas.
All healthcare waste should be moved
as quickly and safely as possible to the
clinical areas waste collection point
(normally the sluice or dirty utility
room).
All bags must be sealed with
tape, clearly identifying its point
of origin.
All sharps and anatomical waste
containers must have the
required information completed
on them.
When storing waste in Sulo bins the
correct colour coding must be ensured
at all times.
Sharps/rigid bodied containers must
not be stored in the same bins as
bagged waste, even if they are the
same category of waste.
Where waste storage cupboards are
used, segregation and security must
be maintained. Where more than one
waste category is stored together there
must be a physical barrier maintained
to prevent cross contamination.
Main waste compounds must be well
maintained, secure and have high
standards of housekeeping at all times.
Standard Operating Procedures Martin Long Head of Hotel Services