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This has made a huge difference for Albany and will similarly benefit the many companies who provide hygiene and washrooms services in England and Wales, and SMDSA offers their thanks to the Agency officers who helped to find practical solutions that will now benefit both the environment and industry. The adjoining articles demonstrate how SMDSA member companies have now completed the chain by investing in leading technologies to safely treat aerosol canisters with total recovery and recycling of the components. What is not covered The above applies only to the movement of aerosols from servicing in washrooms etc back to the contractors depot. It does not apply to the collection and disposal of waste aerosols from other sources or the onward movement to treatment or disposal; both or which must comply in full with all aspects of the Regulations. The concessions and derogations been agreed with the Environment Agency in England and Wales. Since the equivalent Regulations are different in Scotland and Northern Ireland, SMDSA will now be approaching the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland to seek similar practical solutions. Treatment of Healthcare wastes for landfill SMDSA has worked with the Environment Agency to develop a fact sheet on ‘Treating Offensive or Hygiene Wastes for Landfill’. It is designed to provide simple guidance to enable producers of eg nappies, feminine hygiene, animal bedding, dog faeces, and incontinence wastes to meet the pre-treatment requirements for landfill from 30 October 2007. SMDSA has sought to encourage best practice in the collection and disposal of hygiene wastes by promoting segregation at source rather than having these wastes put in black bags. Although the Agency suggested withdraw of a previous position accepting the use of germicides in eg feminine hygiene sanitary bins as meeting the pre-treatment requirements, the SMDSA has successfully argued that the Environment Agency had not provided any justification for the withdrawal of this agreement. In consequence, the use of germicides in sanitary bins continues to meet the requirements for landfill where they are effective in reducing nuisance (for example odour). Grundon Aerosol plant Grundon Waste Management is now able to offer the destruction and disposal of aerosols, with total recovery and recycling of their components. The ‘Hazpak’ system, located at Ewelme Transfer Station in Oxfordshire, crushes and compacts the aerosol cans enabling the separation of the respective products. ■ ■ ■ The propellants are captured, compressed and used as a support fuel in Grundon’s own hazardous waste incinerator (see issues 6 and 7). The liquid products are collected, and can then be recycled, blended as a fual, The aerosol cans are segregated into metal types, eg aluminium or tin etc, compacted into scrap metal briquettes, and are then fully recycled. Cliniserve first disposal site Cliniserve are delighted that their first disposal plant is now fully operational in Littlehampton West Sussex. Cliniserve has invested in alternative Technology to process the waste at its facility. A state of the art Steam Sterilisation Autoclave is the preferred method of treatment. Having passed the rigorous testing regime and agreed protocols we now have a fully functional processing plant with which we can treat the clinical waste from various on going contracts, this includes two members of the SMDSA. The Littlehampton site is currently operating under a WML, Cliniserve will be investing in a IPPC for the site as soon as time allows this will see an increase from one autoclave to two. This will give Cliniserve a bigger capacity to deal with an ever increasing work load also give Cliniserve the opportunity to offer disposal to third parties. New factory for plastics injection moulding up and running Launched in November 2006, Craemer UK Ltd, Telford, has completed its first year of production and the German based parent company is very pleased with the overall performance of over £9 million. “The starting-up was not without its difficulties” says Craemer UK’s Corporate Director Clive Hames, “but we’ve continuously improved the processes and have been rewarded with positive results.” The Craemer Group had invested about £9 million into the development of the new factory. Today, Craemer UK employs over 35 people. The modern building houses a 550 sq m two storey office, a 1,500 sq m production hall with 430 sq m ancilliary offices and a warehouse with a ground floor of 2,000 sq m. Equipped with three state-of-the-art Krauss-Maffei injection moulding machines with capacities from 1,000 to 2,700 tons Craemer UK mainly focuses on the production of containers for the environmental industry of the Kliko brand but also manufactures transport and stacking containers as well as plastics pallets. Developing through technology Compact Power announces further developments in renewable energy Compact Power is pleased to announce two new strategic partnerships. An agreement with A.J.Charlton & Sons Limited to establish Charlton Compact Power Limited as a joint venture to build and operate a biomass to energy facility at the Charlton Saw Mills at Buckland Down nr. Frome, Somerset. The facility will convert woodchip from the sawmill and locally grown miscanthus supplied in collaboration with Bical into heat and power which will be supplied to meet local demand. Compact Power has also been selected by Severn Trent Water as a partner for its sludge and biomass to energy strategy. The appointment follows a detailed review by Severn Trent of all advanced thermal treatment technologies available on the market. Compact Power will work in collaboration with TVD (UK) Limited, framework suppliers of the DryVac® sludge drying technology, to build and operate plants for the conversion of sewage sludge and other biomass feedstocks into renewable energy. Detailed discussions are already underway for the construction of the first plant which is due to be operational in 2009, with a programme of potential projects planned for other selected sites. Both the above schemes will benefit from new incentives proposed under the Government’s latest Energy White Paper which gives double Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) to electrical output from pyrolysis and gasification technologies. However, the Agency are considering carrying out further research to explore the effectiveness of these agents, although it has yet to propose a test regime or to agree the criteria that should be met. A £2.5 million investment in two technically advanced rotary autoclave (Rotoclaves) and new buildings at its Thriplow Heath headquarters site is the key to business development for Vetspeed Ltd. Future dialogue with the Environment Agency A key outcome of lengthy discussions between the Environment Agency and SMDSA (representing the industry) has been an agreement to schedule further regular meetings to address future issues and matters of policy by working closer together. The Agency have acknowledged that this sector may have been overlooked by them in the past, often unaware of the challenges and problems that have taken place over last couple of years. SMDSA members now represent an annual income for the Environment Agency of over £5.5M and as a major stakeholder in the sector are encouraged by the development of a positive and open relationship with the Environment Agency. A copy of the factsheet can be downloaded from our web site: www.smdsa.com or by emailing: admin@smdsa.com. With almost 30 years experience of treating and disposing of clinical wastes, the company has opted for intrinsically low-emission technology to meet the demands of a growing market for such disposal capacity in eastern England. The way the Rotoclaves work is to use direct steam contact to sterilise clinical wastes, which can then be separated for recycling. The two units will each treat 500 kg of clinical waste per hour, holding it at a temperature of 141 o C and a pressure of three bar for at least 20 minutes to achieve a kill rate of 10 6 . Thus pathogens including fungi, viruses, and bacterial spores are dealt with effectively and comprehensively. Throughout the cycle the internal rotating drum spikes and agitates the waste to ensure that steam penetrates the entire load for uniform sterilisation. At the end of the cycle, the steam is extracted and condensed for re-use and the wastes are dried. The sterile material is then automatically discharged, shredded to make it unrecognisable and compacted reducing the volume by 85 per cent. Metals can be extracted for recycling and the residual plastics and cellulose-based element may be used on site as a refuse derived fuel in due course. Processing is supported through continuous digital monitoring and a high level of automation. The entire facility, which is highly compliant and permitted by Environment Agency, has been designed to minimise environmental impact and to be fully sustainable. The technology is safe, reliable, and cost effective and enables Vetspeed to pass on savings to customers.
Dangerous Goods in 2007 New bulk Carriage Requirements and Updated HSE Guidance Dave Dingle MSc, CEnv, MCIWM, CChem, MRSC Environmental Controller and DGSA OCS Group UK Ltd t/a Cannon The Background The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2007 (“‘the Carriage Regulations”) came into force on 1 July 2007. They replace the 2004 Regulations/2005 Amendments and now include the carriage of radioactive materials. The Carriage Regulations implement ADR 2007 (with a number of exceptions). They refer directly to ADR 2007 and there are some additional or alternative requirements. With the United Nations throughness in regular updating of ADR we have come to expect, ADR 2007 came into force on 1 January 2007. The usual six months which is allowed for compliance when ADR is replaced has resulted in the 1 July 2007 effective date in updating the Carriage Regulations. The HSE Carriage of Dangerous Goods Manual which provides guidance to Enforcement Officers has also been updated as of October 2007 to reflect the changes in legislation and extensively refers to those affecting clinical waste. In addition to aspects of compliance, the Manual also provides Guidance on the apropriateness of Prohibition Notices, when and where they should be deferred and other enforcement measures. As such it is essential reading for anyone who has to comply and deal with Enforcement Officers. Details of how to download a copy from the HSE Web site is detailed below. The new bulk Carriage requirements The main changes affecting clinical waste are regarding bulk carriage. When the five year derogation allowing the carriage of loose clinical waste bags expired on 31 December 2001, there was considerable confusion. This resulted in the continued carriage of loose clinical bags being permitted in accordance with Paragraph 7.3.3, Special Provision V V 11 of ADR (continued in ADR 2007), which states that: “Carriage in bulk is permitted in specially equipped vehicles and containers in a manner which avoids risks to humans, animals, and the environment e.g. by loading the wastes in bags or by airtight connections” This means that the requirement to carry only loose clinical bags (then classified as ‘bulk’) which are UN approved bags is now firmly set in the legislation and with a higher specification for the bags. It is understood that on 1 July 2007, only one Manufacturer had a sack which had been tested to the new specification, although others may have obtained approval since. It should be noted that in any dangerous goods classification other than Class 6.2, UN Approved Bags would be classified as packages and not bulk! Needless to say, this classification of bulk is already causing problems whereby some Enforcement officers seem to think that the carriage of loose clinical sacks is no longer allowed. The updated HSE Guidance In light of these changes, and some continuing problems with existing requirements the updated HSE Carriage of Dangerous Goods Manual is particularly welcomed. Whilst the Manual is intended to provide guidance to enforcement officers it is available to all and can be downloaded at http://www.hse.gov.uk/cdg/manual/index.htm Specific guidance is given on the issue of vehicles being leakproof by design, clarifying that in addition to any sealing, steps need to be taken to prevent escape when doors are opened e.g by a slope on the floor or creation of a suitable ‘tray’. A typical sealing system applied to a vehicle is shown below opposite. Unfortunately the segregation of packages and bags is not very well covered, other than showing an unsuitable load of mixed bags and sharps containers as in the previous version and referring only to some specialist carriers dividing the load compartment or using means to ensure that wheele bins are propely secured. Given that the aspect of vehicles being leakproof was covered in greater detail, more Guidance would have been useful on this aspect especially as regards the use of non-rigid dividers, since nets are specifically quoted as an example in ADR. It is especially pleasing to see that the requirement for only the 2kg fire extinguisher when carrying infectious substances only has been clarified in this section (no additional extinguishers being required, as is the case with other dangerous goods, depending on vehicle size). Although this was in the previous version, it is also noted at least twice elsewhere in the Manual in Sections relating to fire extinguishers. As this is an issue which is regularly misinterpreted by Enforcement Officers, greater emphasis is essential in both the Manual and in Enforcement Officer Training. Discussions between Member Companies recently has found that Police Officers record this failure on prohibition notices even when those specific individual Officers have had it brought to their attention. The Guidance reiterates the need for proper placarding and plating when carrying bulk, in that the full size ‘2X/3291/Infectious placard’ plates need to be displayed on both sides and the rear of the vehicle, but not the emergency telephone number. Member Companies of the SMDSA have recently clarified with the help of HSE and Department for Transport that the absence of the telephone number means that the plate can be made smaller and need not display the plain orange strip at the bottom of the plate, making it easier to fit on smaller vehicles without obstructing roller shutter doors. The plate being shorter prevents it projecting down into the door space and creating a health and safety hazard. Unfortunately the only picture shown in the Manual does not reflect this, and it is hoped that this will be effectively communicated to all Enforcement Officers and the pictures in the Manual updated. As with the fire extingishers problem, the alternative will undoubtedly be continued problems with Enforcement Officers for having plates which do not exactly match the picture in the Manual. Although not new to 2007 Carriage Regulations the requirement for ADR Trained Drivers is also reinforced for all vehicles carrying bulk clinical waste, as the exemption for vehicles under 3.5 tonnes ended on 31 December 2006. As the bulk carriage of waste means that there are no small load threshold exemptions applying, even one loose bag means a Driver has to be ADR Trained. That of course can be easily avoided by placing small amounts of bags into rigid containers to qualify for the small load threshold exemptions for ADR Drivers, placarding/plating and other requitrements. Compliance In describing the Manual, the HSE refer to: ‘Updated guidance on carriage of clinical waste with references to the new parts of ADR at 7.3.2.6.2. This reflects a number of instances of poor standards particularly concerning bulk transport of the familiar “yellow bags”, but also abuses in the way “large packaging” is sometimes used. It also reminds consignors that non-UN approved “large packaging” should be taken out of use’. SMDSA Member Companies have largely been pro-active in taking on board these new requirements, and whilst unplacarded vehicles are seen carrying loose yellow bags, (and hence possibly without ADR Drivers, sealed vehicles, segregation etc) in the author’s experience these are usually unmarked vehicles or where identifiable are likely to be Local Authorities or NHS Trusts. However a significant new section in ADR 2007 (Paragraph 7.3.2.6.2) provides much greater details on these requirements from 1 July 2007, expanding considerably the standards to be met when carrying loose clinical waste bags. The result is now more than a full page with eight sub-paragraphs of specifications which now have to be met to supplement the barely three lines of V V 11. The key requirements are ■ Bags being required to be UN Approved (with the standards they have to meet having been upgraded to require greater tear and impact resistance than before) ■ Closed bulk containers (i.e. vehicles) being leakproof by design, with nonporous interior surfaces free from cracks or other features which could damage packagings, impede disinfection or permit inadvertent release ■ Securing and segregating rigid packagings and bags if carried together (with examples being given of rigid barriers or dividers, mesh nets or otherwise securing such that they prevent damage to the packagings) ■ Prohibition on carriage of any other goods with loose clinical bags, other than medical or veterinary wastes ■ Inspection for leakage after each journey, to supplement the previous requirement to throughly clean and disinfect if any wastes have leaked or spilled ■ Prohibition on carriage of any other goods with loose clinical bags, other than medical or veterinary wastes The ‘Common Problems’ section of the Guidance includes 24 separate topics, and it is notable that the five pages on clinical waste is by far the biggest section devoted to any one of the problems, nothing else meriting more than a single page!. In addition to extensively updating the previous guidance on carrying packages, the issue of bulk is covered much more comprehensively. Intercare Distribution Services Limited STUDENTS MAKE THEIR MARK A twenty five percent increase in turnover this year has triggered Crewe based Intercare Distribution Services Limited to invite South Cheshire College to help mark their success. Sales and Marketing Director Mark Greenhalgh said: “The company has its roots in Crewe and was set up by director Nigel Parry who still lives in the town. Based on the way we are growing we wanted to take the opportunity to put something back into the community and so decided to get involved with the college.” As a result of Intercare’s ongoing expansion, students at South Cheshire College have been given a blank canvas with a commission to add some colour to the company’s additional new business premises in Marshfield Bank Employment Park. CONTINUED FROM COVER Dave Ballentyne of the college said: “This is exactly the kind of project we like to take on. This will give first year students on the Design & Graphics and the Art & Design courses the right commercial experience that they need as they work towards their National Diplomas. It will also strengthen their portfolios and CVs before entering the commercial world.” Stage one of the commission got underway when students from the college measured up the walls at Intercare’s new premises. Over the following term they will develop their ideas, based around Intercare’s ethical business values, before a panel of judges makes a decision for the designs to be transposed onto Intercare’s walls. “Our move to the additional new site at Marshfield Bank has come exactly 17 years after we started out in business. There has been a great deal of hard work put in to get here and the expansion got its final go ahead when the Environment Agency granted a license for us to operate a Waste Transfer Station,” explained Mr Greenhalgh.
Page 1 and 2: Addenbrooke's NHS Trust Estates and
Page 3: Safe Management of Healthcare Waste

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