Biohazard Waste Disposal Requirements and Labeling Standards

The OSHA Standard for Biohazard Waste Disposal and Segregation

Incorrect waste segregation and labeling are among the most common violations for healthcare facilities. Medical waste introduces an added risk of exposing medical personnel, waste handlers, and patients to harmful infections if it's not managed properly. No matter the type of biohazardous waste, it all has the possibility of being infectious. This is why biohazardous waste can never be put in a regular trash can and must follow approved biohazard waste disposal practices.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard outlines requirements for employers. These requirements are designed to protect workers who may come into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). Part of this standard includes consistent OSHA labeling and containment of biohazards using bags and containers. It also requires safety labels and signs displaying the biological hazard symbol to reduce the chances of harmful exposure from the facility to the outside world.

OSHA Container Requirements for Biohazard Waste Disposal

Biohazard waste is anything that is soaked in blood. A good rule of thumb to follow to determine the type of container to use is to consider the level of risk the waste could have on a person's well-being. Essentially, the higher the risk the waste poses to humans, the more rigid the container you need. OSHA has rules for containers that carry regulated waste:

• Container must be closable.
• Constructed to prevent leakage and large enough to contain all the contents.
• Labeled and color-coded according to standards using approved biohazard labels.
• Closed before removal to prevent spills during handling, transporting, shipping, or storage.
• If there is outside contamination of the waste container, it must be put into a second container.

Learn the purpose of each biohazard waste container and which method is best to use depending on the nature of the waste and biohazard waste disposal requirements.

Biohazard Labels and Signs Featuring the Biological Hazard Symbol

Employers are responsible for clearly communicating biological hazards to employees through warning labels and signs. Biohazard labels must be fluorescent orange or red-orange and clearly display the word "biohazard" and the universal biological hazard symbol in a contrasting color (usually black). Apply these safety labels as close as possible to the container with an adhesive, wire, string, or other method.

Apply biohazard safety labels to:

• All bags/containers of waste used to store, transport, or dispose of blood and other potentially infectious material.
• Refrigerators and freezers that store blood or other potentially infectious material.
• Pathological waste containers.
• Entrance doors to work areas to warn and inform personnel of the presence of biohazards.
• Any equipment that has come into contamination with blood or other potentially infectious material. Make sure all durable labels includes information that states which portions of the equipment remains contaminated.

Make sure all durable biohazard labels include information that states which portions of the equipment remain contaminated.

Red Medical Waste Bags for Biohazard Waste Disposal

Use red bags to dispose of liquid and solid items contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials. If the waste can pour, drip, or flake off after drying, store it in a red bag or red color-coded container at the location it was used. OSHA also allows red bags or containers to be substituted for warning labels when managing biohazard waste disposal.

Sharps: All sharps such as used needles and anything used for cutting and injecting must be stored in a rigid, leak-proof, tamper-proof, and puncture-proof container. Label or color-code the container according to the bloodborne pathogens standard using approved biohazard labels and the biological hazard symbol.

Individual Containers of Blood: Place in a labeled container during storage, transport, shipment, or disposal. If leaks are possible, place materials in a secondary container that follows proper biohazard waste disposal practices.

Contaminated Laundry: Put all laundry that's been in contact with blood or may contain sharps in a red bag. Items include gauze, gloves, gowns, bedding, bench paper, personal protective equipment (PPE), and more. Proper labeling with biohazard labels helps prevent accidental exposure during handling.

Pathological Waste: Place any recognizable human or animal organs, body parts, and tissues in a red pathological waste container. This consists of a red rigid container with a tight lid with a red bag liner labeled with the universal biological hazard symbol.

Tips for Maintaining OSHA Compliance

Here are five ways you can maintain workplace safety and OSHA compliance with managing biohazards in any facility:

Provide Consistent Training: Teach and train all employees on proper biohazard management to ensure consistency throughout your facility and reduce the chances of human error and harmful exposure. OSHA requires training at least annually following initial training.

Maintain Your Sharps Injury Log: Establish and maintain a sharps injury log for recording injuries due to contaminated sharps. This will allow you to recognize patterns and areas for improvement.

Be Mindful of Storage Areas: Different types of waste can be stored in the same room. Prevent mishandling and injuries by ensuring workers and custodial personnel are aware of the presence of biohazards and how to approach them safely. Clearly label and segregate waste to prevent human error and to maintain efficiency.

Reassess Hazards: Assess the work environment for any hidden hazards or improper work practices and take necessary steps to correct them. Safeguard your facility from newfound hazards by conducting refresher training for employees and adding emphasis to problem areas using safety labels and signs.

Asses Your Safety Labels and Signs: Do a walkthrough to determine if any safety labels or signs need updating, replacing, or other maintenance.

DuraLabel Solutions for Biohazard Labels and the Biological Hazard Symbol

All hazardous waste should be marked. Biohazard and bloodborne pathogen premade labels and signs are a convenient way to convey safety procedures, warnings, and communicate instructions to personnel anywhere. Applying compliant biohazard labels with the biological hazard symbol ensures everyone can quickly identify hazards and follow proper handling procedures.

You can also print biohazard custom safety labels on-demand using reliable supply that is engineered to remain legible and endure the environment using DuraLabel Printers & Supplies. Meet OSHA bloodborne pathogens standards with compliant biohazard labels and waste management practices to enhance workplace safety and reduce the risk of contamination. Learn how OSHA's rules for bloodborne pathogens apply to biohazard labeling and get started. Download our free OSHA Signage Quick Start Guide to learn more about OSHA waring labels and signage.

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