Policy Waste Disposal: Hazardous Materials

The University maintains a structured policy and procedural framework for the identification, handling, control, removal and disposal of hazardous materials, including asbestos, hazardous building materials, chemicals, dangerous goods and hazardous substances. These processes were in place during 2025 through the Health, Safety & Wellbeing (HSW) / Health & Safety Management System using Key Risk Area (KRA) documents, guidelines, and specific procedures.

Key documents include KRA 1.1: Chemical Management Procedure,  KRA 3.3: Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Management, KRA 1.2 Biological Management and KRA 1.9 Radiation Management Plan.

Policy / Procedural Framework

KRA 1.1: Chemical Management Procedure

  • The University has a KRA 1.1 Chemical Management Procedure that outlines how chemicals, dangerous goods, and hazardous substances are to be procured, transported, stored, used, and disposed.
  • KRA 1.1 Chemical Management Procedure Version 1 was issued in October 2023 and remained in place throughout 2025.
  • Chemicals are to be acquired in minimum quantities to reduce waste, while chemical waste, including excess and expired chemicals, is to be disposed of regularly rather than stockpiled.
  • A licensed chemical waste contractor undertakes scheduled collections from University sites.
  • Hazardous chemical waste must be appropriately packaged, clearly labelled and stored safely pending collection.
  • Incompatible materials must be segregated, with spill trays used where appropriate to minimise the risk of accidental releases.
  • Hazardous chemicals must not be poured down sinks.
  • Disposal is managed through the University’s hazardous-waste collection process, including submission of a Request for Disposal of Hazardous Waste before collection.
  • KRA 1.1 complements KRA 3.3 by extending the Universities hazardous-material controls beyond building materials to chemicals and chemical waste generated through researcg, teaching and operational activities, including labratory chemicals, reagents, controlled substances, etc.).

KRA 3.3: Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Management

  • The document titled KRA 3.3 Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Management provides guidance on “identifying, assessing, controlling and documenting asbestos and asbestos containing materials, and other hazardous materials.”
  • It is explicitly scoped to apply to all health, safety and wellbeing activities of staff, students, visitors, contractors, and underlies work done by or on behalf of the University, including on‑campus and off‑campus premises.
  • Key elements include:
    1. Identification & Assessment
      • Surveys are to be conducted to locate hazardous materials — e.g., asbestos containing materials (ACM), lead paint, synthetic mineral fibres (SMF), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), ozone depleting substances (ODSs).
      • The register is maintained, reviewed by regulatory schedule or every 5 years, and is updated whenever changes (removal, disturbance, deterioration) occur.
      • The condition (friable/non‑friable), location, and risk condition are recorded, and areas that may be disturbed in future works are especially considered.
    2. Management Plans
      • Based on survey outcomes, the University develops Asbestos or Hazardous Materials Management Plans (HMMPs) to eliminate or minimise risks "so far as is reasonably practicable."
      • The plans include priorities, control measures, monitoring, and documentation obligations.
      • Where removal is needed, specific procedures are required for safe removal, contractor briefing, monitoring and clearance are required.
    3. Contractor and Work Process Controls
      • Before any refurbishment, demolition, or repair work, Infrastructure & Facilities Services (IFS) must be informed so that contractors can be briefed about any hazardous materials and appropriate controls used.
      • Contractors must have access to the Asbestos/Hazardous Materials register and be briefed on any risks.
      • After removal or disturbance, cleaning, monitoring, and clearance certification must be done, and the register updated.
  • The cited KRA 3.3 document is Version 2, issued in October 2023. It expanded the framework beyond asbestos to a broader range of hazardous materials and remained in force during 2025.

KRA 1.2: Biological Management and biological waste disposal

  • The University’s KRA 1.2 Biological Management, Version 1 issued in October 2023, establishes requirements for the safe management of biological materials across University research and teaching activities.
  • Laboratory wastes, including biological and radioactive substances, must be segregated and disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations using appropriate disposal methods.
  • Sharps must be placed in designated sharps containers, while waste that may contain viable microorganisms must be transported outside laboratories using secure secondary containment.
  • Biological waste requiring autoclaving must be placed in appropriate autoclavable waste bags or sharps containers, clearly labelled, transported using double containment, autoclaved and then placed into designated yellow biological-waste bins.
  • These requirements apply particularly to materials such as GMO waste, cultured Risk Group 2 microorganisms and other biological materials requiring decontamination before disposal.

KRA 1.9: Radiation Management and radioactive waste disposal

  • The University’s KRA 1.9 Radiation Management Plan, Version 1 issued in October 2023, establishes the framework for radiation safety and compliance and requires radiation work to follow the University’s Radiation Management Plan.
  • The University's Radiation Management Plan includes a dedicated procedure, RMP-S18: Storage and Disposal of Radioactive Waste, establishing requirements for the safe collection, segregation, labelling, storage, transfer and disposal of radioactive waste.
  • Radioactive waste must be stored in appropriately shielded and labelled containers, segregated from other waste streams and maintained within approved radioactive-material storage areas. Radioactively contaminated sharps are managed through designated radiation-labelled sharps containers.
  • Mixed hazardous waste, such as material that is both radioactive and biologically contaminated, must comply with the management requirements applying to both hazards.
  • The procedure requires radioactive waste generation to be minimised and waste to be segregated according to its characteristics and intended disposal route. Disposal and transfer are documented and overseen through the University's Health, Safety and Wellbeing and radiation-safety processes.
  • The Radiation Management Plan was revised in December 2024, providing clear evidence that the University's radioactive-waste management framework was maintained immediately prior to the 2025 reporting year.

Other Relevant Procedures / Policies