10.1 - Health and Safety

Amalgam waste generated in the clinics is to be disposed of in a container labeled “amalgam waste”. All unused, scrap, and empty amalgam capsules are to be placed in a properly labeled container provided in the amalgam procedure tub. Specifically:

1. Extracted teeth with amalgam are to be placed in a container labeled amalgam waste for hazardous waste disposal.
2. Using the HVE to suction waste amalgam from equipment, floors or counters is prohibited.
3. Amalgam waste generated during pre-clinical laboratory exercises must be disposed of in provided containers labeled “amalgam waste”.
4. All hazardous waste is logged, labeled, and packaged by the Director of Compliance. The OUHSC EHSO hazardous materials staff is responsible for the disposal of the hazardous material following federal and state laws.

OUHSC Plumbing will inspect the boxes when they do their PM in the equipment room every 6 months.

1. The plumbing shop will notify the Facilities Coordinator as to how many boxes are full and need to be changed out.  

2. Call Rebec at 1-800-569-1088, and ask for Christi Gochanour. Inform Christi of how many boxes need to be replaced. 

3. Rebec will send empty boxes. KEEP THE CARDBOARD BOXES THEY COME IN!  

4. Put in SUR to have the new boxes switched out with the full ones. 

   • Every time you need the boxes changed out, you must put in a new SUR. 

5. The plumbing shop will put the full ones in the cardboard boxes used to ship the new ones. Then tape up the boxes and secure them to empty pallets with clear plastic wrap.  

6. Call Rebec again and set up a pick-up by UPS freight. 

7. UPS will pick up the pallet. 

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) can readily be obtained online 24 hours a day from any computer at the following web site:

Safety Data Sheets (ouhsc.edu)

Hard copies of SDS sheets are maintained in the Shipping and Receiving office at the College of Dentistry, however it is recommended using the Internet, as the information is more easily accessible.

Workforce members are to look at labels for warnings such as flammable and toxic. The label contains information on proper PPE to be worn during handling as well as proper procedures for spill clean-up and emergency measures.

If a substance is transferred from the original manufacturer’s container and placed in a secondary container, the container must be labeled with contents and hazard warnings. Small quantities transferred to a secondary container and not labeled must be used immediately.