Guidelines for handling and disposal of hazardous waste and problematic waste, and explosive waste

Norwegian version

Approved by the University Director on 10th December 2020

1. PURPOSE

The aim of these guidelines is to ensure that hazardous waste, problematic waste, radioactive waste, and explosive waste, from now on referred to as special waste, generated at the University of Bergen (UiB) is disposed of in a safe and proper manner, in accordance with internal rules and government requirements.

2. SCOPE

The guidelines apply to all work with special waste at and under the governance of the University of Bergen. When employees with different employers share premises or take part in joint activities, the enterprises shall coordinate HSE work in order to ensure a thoroughly sound working environment (section 2-2 of the Norwegian Working Environment Act) .

3. RESPONSIBILITY

The Estate and Facilities management division shall enter into agreements with approved transporters and final handlers of waste and ensure that satisfactory storage space for intermediate storage of special waste is made available.

The HR department is responsible for training and professional support.

The line manager at each unit is responsible for appointing a local coordinator / contact person for special waste and ensuring that special waste is handled in accordance with the guideline.

Employees, students, and guest researchers are obliged to follow the guideline and key procedures.

4. DEFINITIONS

Special waste: Waste enclosed by hazardous waste, problematic waste, radioactive waste or explosive waste.

• Hazardous waste and problematic waste: waste that cannot be handled appropriately together with consumer waste because it can cause serious pollution or risk of injury to humans or animals.

• Problematic waste: All laboratory waste that may contain biological factors or chemical residues. The waste can be sharp or pointed objects.

• Radioactive waste: Solutions, objects or substances that consist of, or are contaminated with, radioactive material that exceeds the limit values.

• Explosive waste: Waste which, in the event of external influences or incorrect storage, can react with heat-generating and / or explosive conditions.

5. DELIVERY OF SPECIAL WASTE

5.1 Tasks

The Estate and Facilities management division

Shall:

• On behalf of UIB, and in collaboration with the HR department, enter into agreements with approved transporters and final treaters of special waste.

• Ensure that satisfactory storage spaces for temporary storage of special waste are made available.

• Must pass on needs from local coordinator to approved carrier or final handlers of special waste.

Central coordinator for special waste at the HR department

• Prepare and revise the guideline and central procedures.

• Assist local coordinator / contact person with advice and guidance concerning the handling and disposal of special waste.

• Provide necessary training.

Line manager

Must appoint a local coordinator for special waste, publish this to the unit and ensure that the local coordinator receives the necessary training.

If the unit uses a waste room at another unit, one or more contact persons for special waste shall be appointed instead of a local coordinator.

Must ensure that:

• Central procedures for handling and delivery of special waste are followed.

• Local instructions for disposal of special waste are prepared and kept up to date.

• Employees, students, and guest researchers receive the necessary instruction and training.

Local coordinator for special waste

Shall:

Revise local instructions for handling and delivery of special waste.

• Report to the Estate and Facilities management division at the operating area when there is a need to collect special waste, and order packaging or other consumables.

• Ensure that special waste is packaged, registered, and marked in accordance with key procedures.

Contact person for special waste

Shall:

• Assist employees with questions regarding special waste and be the main contact with the local coordinator for the waste room used.

• Revise any adjustments to the unit, these must comply with local instructions for the waste room used.

Employees, students, and visitors

Shall:

• Follow the local instructions for handling and disposing of special waste at the unit.

• Must contact the local coordinator or contact person for questions about special waste.

5.2 Implementation

All special waste must be handled and delivered in accordance with central procedures, which can be found on the HSE-gateway. https://www.uib.no/en/hms-portalen/74014/waste and current local instructions.

6. REFERENCES

• Pollution control act,

• Product control act

• Regulation on the application of the Pollution Control Act to radioactive pollution and radioactive waste

• Act on Radiation Protection and Use of Radiation

• Forskrift om gjenvinning og behandling av avfall (NO)

• Forskrift om begrensning av forurensing (NO)

• Forskrift om smittefarlig avfall fra helsetjeneste og dyrehelsetjeneste mv. (NO)

Date	Comment	Entered by
Tuesday 27. June 2022	Updated definition of Problematice Waste	Mona Viksøy
Thursday 18. febr. 2021	New Guideline	Mona Viksøy
Tuesday 03 October 2017 5:31:45 pm	Updating chapter 7.	Olaug Eiksund
Tuesday 03 October 2017 5:19:16 pm	Publisering av engelsk versjon av retningslinjen	Olaug Eiksund
Monday 15 June 2015 1:28:19 pm	Publisering av engelsk versjon av retningslinjen	Olaug Eiksund
Monday 06 October 2014 1:08:17 pm	Publisering av engelsk versjon av retningslinjen	Olaug Eiksund
Monday 06 October 2014 12:53:43 pm	Publisering av engelsk versjon av retningslinjen	Olaug Eiksund
Wednesday 06 April 2011 3:57:30 pm	Retningslinjen legges over fra HMS-håndboken, Del 5. Helse, miljø og sikkerhet i forbindelse med ny Regelsamling.	Olaug Eiksund
Thursday 03 February 2011 2:36:17 pm	Retningslinjen legges over fra HMS-håndboken, Del 5. Helse, miljø og sikkerhet i forbindelse med ny Regelsamling.	Olaug Eiksund
Thursday 03 February 2011 2:33:06 pm	Retningslinjen legges over fra HMS-håndboken, Del 5. Helse, miljø og sikkerhet i forbindelse med ny Regelsamling.	Olaug Eiksund
Thursday 03 February 2011 2:30:07 pm	Retningslinjen legges over fra HMS-håndboken, Del 5. Helse, miljø og sikkerhet i forbindelse med ny Regelsamling.	Olaug Eiksund