Product Overview

Summary: This Biohazard Handling Safe Operating Procedure provides clear, step-by-step guidance for safely managing, transporting and disposing of biological materials in Australian workplaces. It helps you control infection risks, protect workers and the public, and demonstrate compliance with WHS and public health requirements across clinical, laboratory and field environments.

Biological hazards such as blood, body fluids, cultures, sharps and contaminated materials present a significant risk of infection, illness and reputational damage if not managed correctly. This Biohazard Handling Safe Operating Procedure sets out a practical, defensible framework for identifying, segregating, handling, storing, transporting and disposing of biohazardous materials in line with Australian WHS and public health expectations. It translates regulatory and technical requirements into clear, usable instructions that can be followed on the floor by clinical, laboratory and support staff.

The procedure is designed for a broad range of settings, including hospitals, medical and dental practices, pathology and research laboratories, veterinary clinics, aged care facilities and specialist waste services. It addresses common problem areas such as inconsistent labelling, incorrect segregation of clinical waste, poor sharps management, inadequate spill response and gaps in staff training. By implementing this SOP, organisations can significantly reduce the risk of exposure incidents, needlestick injuries, cross-contamination and non-compliance findings during audits, while supporting a strong safety culture and clear lines of responsibility.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of infection, needlestick injuries and exposure incidents involving blood and other potentially infectious materials.
• Ensure consistent, compliant handling, packaging, labelling and transport of biohazardous materials across all work areas.
• Demonstrate due diligence with clear, documented procedures aligned to Australian WHS and public health requirements.
• Strengthen staff confidence and competence through unambiguous instructions for day-to-day handling and emergency situations.
• Minimise regulatory breaches, reputational damage and clean-up costs associated with biohazard spills or mismanaged waste.

Who is this for?

• Laboratory Managers
• Pathology and Diagnostic Laboratory Staff
• Infection Prevention and Control Coordinators
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Clinical Nurse Managers
• Healthcare Facility Managers
• Dental Practice Owners
• Veterinary Practice Managers
• Aged Care Facility Managers
• Biotechnology and Research Supervisors
• Waste Management and Clinical Waste Contractors
• Emergency Department and Triage Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to bloodborne pathogens (e.g. Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV)
• Exposure to airborne and droplet-transmissible pathogens (e.g. tuberculosis, influenza, COVID-19)
• Contact with infectious materials via damaged skin or mucous membranes
• Needlestick and sharps injuries from contaminated needles, scalpels and glassware
• Cross-contamination between clinical, laboratory and public areas
• Improper storage and transport of infectious substances leading to leaks or spills
• Aerosol generation during specimen handling, centrifugation or spill clean-up
• Inadequate decontamination and disinfection of work surfaces and equipment
• Improper segregation and disposal of clinical and cytotoxic waste
• Manual handling risks associated with biohazard waste containers and bins

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Classification of Biohazards
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Risk Assessment for Biohazardous Materials
• 6.0 Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• 7.0 Biohazard Identification, Labelling and Signage
• 8.0 Segregation, Containment and Storage of Biohazardous Materials
• 9.0 Handling and Transport of Biohazardous Materials On-site
• 10.0 Packaging and Preparation for Off-site Transport and Disposal
• 11.0 Sharps Management and Disposal Procedures
• 12.0 Spill Response and Decontamination Procedures
• 13.0 Cleaning, Disinfection and Waste Management
• 14.0 Incident Reporting, Exposure Management and Post-exposure Follow-up
• 15.0 Training, Induction and Competency Assessment
• 16.0 Recordkeeping, Audit and Continuous Improvement
• 17.0 Document Control and Review

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act (Safe Work Australia)
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations (Safe Work Australia)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• AS/NZS 2243.3: Safety in laboratories – Microbiological safety and containment
• AS 3816: Management of clinical and related wastes
• Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (NHMRC)
• National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council (NPAAC) requirements – Handling of pathology specimens
• State and Territory Public Health and Notifiable Diseases legislation (jurisdiction-specific)
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye protection
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupational protective gloves