HAZMAT

HAZMAT
A Hazardous material (hazmat) is any solid, liquid or gas that can harm people, other living
organisms, property , or environment. Dangerous goods may be radioactive, flammable, explosive,
toxic, corrosive, biohazardous, an oxidizer, an asphyxiant, a pathogen, an allergen, or may have
other characteristics that render it hazardous in specific circumstances.
The hazardous materials are classified as Flammable, Corrosive, irritants, carcinogens and
chemicals that are toxic on inhalation or ingestion.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE TEAM

1. When an accident occurs resulting in major spill or breakage of a hazardous materials

container prompt action is required
2. The Hazmat team is to be alerted. Dial code 5555 to contact the communication center, which
is located in ground floor building,
3. Hazardous material list is available in the Housekeeping department (Basement), and each
department is will be given a list of hazardous materials inventory that includes the material,
Quantity to be stored, safe handling and potential hazards along the MSDS.
4. The Hazmat response team consists of members who are identified and trained on handling
and disposal of hazardous materials.
Major spill is approximately more than 30 ml.
Minor spill is approximately less than 30 ml
5. 1. HAZMAT spill contact number is 5555
2. HAZMAT color code is - orange

THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE AWARE OF

1. Storage of hazardous materials(inventory)
2. Handling of hazardous materials.
3. Managing the spill/ breakage.

STORAGE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND ITS SAFETY

1. Flammable - Medium flammable - more than 60 C or 158 F
Highly flammable - less than 60 F
Based on the severity its hazard potential, the quantity and method of storage of each
chemical is determined.
a) It has to be stored in cool temperature.
b) Minimum quantity to be stored.

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c) Stored away from heat, flames, and sparks.

d) Stored in flammable cabinet or cupboard provided with ventilation.
SAFETY MEASURES - Smoke detectors, Fire Extinguisher, Sprinklers, Fire hydrants, Manual call
points.
2. CORROSIVE
a) Corrosive materials should be stored near the ground to reduce their being of dropped and
broken.
b) Containers must be positioned so that the removal of one does not cause another to fall.
c) In the user department not more than one week stock must be kept.
d) Organic acids (Acetic acid) must be stored separately from strong oxidizing acids (Sulfuric
acids, Nitric acids).
e) Stored in Hazardous Chemical Cabinet.
SAFETY MEASURES - Smoke detectors, Fire Extinguishers, Sprinklers, Fire hydrants, Manual
Calling Point, Eye wash and shower.
3. CARCINOGEN
a) Do not get onto eyes (or) skin (or) clothes.
b) Do not breathe vapors. Use only with adequate ventilation.
c) Keep containers tightly closed when not in use.
d) Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
SAFETY MEASURES - Exhaust fan, Flume hoods, biological safety cabinets, negative pressure
rooms.
HAZMAT HANDLING
Handling of hazardous materials- The emergency response plan is available in every department
where hazardous materials are used.
Personnel protective equipment cupboard provided in all floors, are provided with
i. Gumboots
ii. Googles
iii. Helmet
iv. Respiratory mask
v. Industrial Gloves - a. Nitrile (Green color)
b. Rubbers Gloves (orange color)
vi. Facial shield
vii. Apron (PVC)
viii. Mercury Kit
The key will be kept nearby department.

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Contents of Chemical / Blood & Body fluid Spillage Management Kit:

1. Disposable apron
2. Disposable mask
3. Disposable gloves
4. Disposable paper
5. Absorbent chemical (chemisorb)
6. Micro-gen D125 (1:64 diluted)
7. 10% Sodium. Hypochlorite solution
8. Cleaning agent (specific to that area)
9. Dustbin covers (yellow, red, white cover with orange letters)
Contents of mercury Spillage Management Kit:
1. Disposable apron
2. Disposable mask
3. Disposable gloves
4. Cardboard
5. Empty syringe
6. Plastic container with water
7. Cello tape
8. HAZMAT label
Note: Replenish all disposable items in all the spill kits and ensure it is ready for future use.
HAZMAT SPILL MANAGEMENT
CHEMICAL SPILL
MAJOR SPILL (More than 30 ml)
a) Place the chemical spill signboard next to the spill. Wear appropriate personal protective
equipments (gloves, mask, eye googles) to clean up the spill.
b) Pick up any broken glass with tongs. Do not use your hands.
c) Sprinkle absorbent material (Chemisorb) over the spill, making sure not to spread liquid.
d) Collect the entire spill with water pusher and dustpan.
e) Dispose of all contaminated materials in yellow color plastic bag. Label the bag with the
name of Hazardous material, date and name of the department and send to HAZMAT waste
room.
f) Document the incident with complete details and authorization of the unit head in the
HAZMAT incident form and forward it to the Quality system office.
MINOR SPILL (Less than 30 ml):
a) Place the chemical spill signboard next to the spill. Minor chemical spill can be clean up with
the available department spill kit any personnel who have been trained to work with the
material.

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b) Wear appropriate personal protective equipments (gloves, mask, eye googles) to clean up
the spill.
c) Pick up any broken glass with tongs. Do not use your hands.
d) Sprinkle absorbent material (Chemisorb) over the spill, making sure not to spread liquid.
e) Dispose of all contaminated materials in white color plastic bag. Label the bag with the name
of Hazardous material, date and name of the department and send to HAZMAT waste room.
f) Clean the area as per the cleaning procedure.
BLOOD AND BODY FLUID SPILL - CLEANING PROCEDURE (PATIENT CARE UNIT)
1. Place WET FLOOR signboard next to the spill.
2. Wear appropriate PPE.
3. Place the spillage management kit next to the spill.
4. Arrange the required color coded dustbin cover (yellow, red) so that they are ready to
receive the contaminated waste.
5. Spray adequate amount of 10% sodium hypochlorite solution over the spill and contain the
area with disposable paper towels.
6. Allow a contact time of 10 minutes.
7. Remove the disposable paper towel
8. Place the soiled paper towels in yellow color dustbin cover.
9. Clean the area using the cleansing agent specific to the area.
10.Put soiled gloves in the red color dustbin cover.
11. Wait for the area to completely dry before removing the WET FLOOR
signboard.
Note: use mop to clean the area.
MERCURY SPILL THERMOMETER, BP APPARATUS:
1. Place chemical spill signboard next to the spill.
2. Wear appropriate PPE
3. Place the Mercury kit next to the spill.
4. Clean up any broken glass using tongs. Do not pick up broken glass by hand.
5. Gather all the mercury with stiff cardboard and suck it with a syringe without needle.
6. Pour the content of the syringe in a bottle containing water and put cello tape around the
bottle.
7. Label the container with the date and time of the spill and send it to HAZMAT waste room.
8. Document the incident with complete details and authorization of the unit head in the
HAZMAT incident form and forward it to Quality system office.
SPILL OR BREAKAGE IN CENTRIFUGE:
1. Turn off the centrifuge and allow it to come to full stop before opening the cover. Wait for at
least 10 min.

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2. Wear appropriate PPE to clean the spill (infectious).

3. Remove any broken glass with tongs. Do not pick broken glass with hands.
4. Clean/ decontaminate the inside thoroughly.
5. Contact the safety officer.
SPILL IN BIOLOGICAL SAFETY CABINET OR LAMINAR FLOW HOODS:
1. Do not shut off the ventilation, the cabinet should be left running to prevent the escape of
contaminants. If there is UV light, leave it on.
2. Wear the appropriate PPE. If the material is infectious, a respirator may be needed.
3. Use a dilute bleach solution (1:10) or EPA registered tuberculocidal. Lift the front exhaust
grill and tray and wipe all the surfaces. Let the disinfectant stand for 10 min. wipe the area
with water.
4. This procedure will not disinfectant the filters, blowers, air ducts or other interior parts of the
cabinet. Inform the biomedical engineering.
Gas Leak in ICU and Wards:
1. Shut off the cylinder valve.
2. In case of a line leak, close the line valves in consultation with the nursing department and
ensure that the lines are carrying NON RETURN VALVES. Contact 2144 (Security Office)
and 2140 (Gas plant).
SPILLAGE OF OIL:
Keep caution board near the spill, place tissue paper over the spill, wipe the spill and collect
the waste in the stationery dustbin.
Clean the area using cleansing agent.
Call Code Orange (5555) to clean major spill.
EMPLOYEE DECONTAMINATION PROCEDURE
If the skin becomes contaminated with blood or other potential infectious materials, wash
the area thoroughly with soap and water.
If any splash/spill of hazardous chemical over the skin occurs wash the affected area or part
thoroughly using a shower for at least 15 minutes.
If the blood or other potentially infectious materials or chemical spill is splashed in to eyes,
immediately use the eye wash station and flush for at least 15 minutes and report to the
supervisor and seek medical attention.
Remove grossly contaminated clothing immediately. Place it in the hazardous materials
waste bag (white bag) and send it to the hazardous material waste storage area.
Note:
Eye showers and eye fountains are placed in all laboratories, lab stores, and pharmacy
stores.
Decontamination shower is available at emergency.

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HOSPITAL WASTE MANAGEMENT

1. Bio-hazard waste
2. Hazardous waste
BIO-MEDICAL WASTE:
The various bio-medical wastes listed as per bio-medical waste management rules (1998) are
identified, segregated, collected, and disposed off to government authorizes waste disposal
party in coordination with the local statutory requirements.
HAZARDOUS WASTE:
1. Infectious waste
2. Pharmaceutical waste
3. Engineering waste
4. Laboratory waste
All the waste area disposed to authorized waste recycler who has no objection certificate from
statutory authorities.
SPECIAL WASTES:
1. E- WASTES:
Electronic wastes are identified and after the concurrence of the individual departments, are
sent to materials scrap area to hand over to authorized E- waste regular who has no objection
certificate from the local statutory authorities.
2. PLASTIC WASTES:
The plastic wastes from various department are collected and sent to materials scrap area to
hand over to plastic regular who has no objection certificate from the local statutory authorities.
P.S. Kindly note the hazardous waste matrix as it is enclosed here with.

Disposal of hazardous waste (HAZMAT MATRIX)

DISPOSAL OF BIO MEDICAL WASTE

Type of waste Name of the wasteColor
Particulars generator
code Treatment and
Name of the waste Waste recycle
department disposal
Infectious waste Human Engineering,
anatomical housekeeping,
Yellow color dustbin Incineration, ashes,
Waste oil
waste: ( F&Btissues, cover for deep burial.
Engineering, housekeeping,
Lead acid batteries organs, body parts)
security
Mercury items contaminated
Hospital wide
Sent to HAZMAT waste
Fluorescent bulb with blood Hospital
and body wide
Lead aprons Radiology and MRI storage area and then handed
fluids including cotton,
Expired chemicals Laboratory
over to the identified
dressings, ITD &soiled
bio medical engineering
E waste contractors for treatment/
department
Hospital wide/ engineering recycling
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department
Radioisotopes Radiology
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plaster cast,
disposable linen,
tissue paper, other
materials
contaminated with
blood
All types of IV and
other tubing catheters,
blood bags, gloves,
dialysis kits, all kind of
Autoclaved, shredded
Clinical wastes drains and aprons,
Red dustbin cover and disposed in
(plastic wastes) plastic culture plates,
secured landfill
urine culture
containers, plastic
tube with swabs-
blood culture bottles
All kinds of broken
glasses, blades, When the container is
sharps like scalpels, 3/4th filled is closed
Puncture proof
Sharps clinical and and handed over to
container
pathological slides, the bio medical waste
disposable syringes storage area
needles.
Broken and unbroken Autoclaved and stored
Bottles Blue dustbin cover
bottles ampules in..... pits
Food and stationary Handed over to the
Paper and food waste Green
waste corporation
Waste generated from
Yellow/ red/ blue
chemo-admixture Incineration/autoclave/
Cytotoxic waste cover with cytotoxic
room and leftover ashes for deep burial.
sticker
medicine

DISPOSAL PROCEDURE FOR THE DECAYED BRACHYTHERAPHY SOURCE:

The decayed HDR Brachytherapy source is exported to the supplier/ manufacturer for disposal after
getting NOC from the Competent Authority. The source is loaded into a container in which the
supplier has originally shifted the source of a higher activity.

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