A. Biohazards and Dangerous Substances
Amalgam Waste Management Policy and Procedure
Subject: IV. Facilities – A. Biohazards and Dangerous Substances
Reviewed and/or Revised: 09/01/2017, 03/15/2024, 07/31/2025
Purpose:
The purpose of this policy and procedure is to ensure the appropriate disposal and management of amalgam waste in all dental clinics. UMSOD will adhere to the American Dental Association’s recommendations for amalgam waste management.
Clinicians may refer to the American Dental Association document, “Best Management Practices for Amalgam Waste.”
Clinicians may also refer to the related ADA brochure, “Best Management Practices for Amalgam Waste - Brochure.”
Policy and/or Procedure:
- Clinicians / dental assistants must place unused amalgam scraps and used amalgam mixing capsules in the appropriately labeled Amalgam Waste Containers located in the cabinet under the sink in clinical areas.
- Clinicians / dental assistants must place any pieces of amalgam removed from patient’s mouths during treatment in the appropriately labeled Amalgam Waste Containers located in the cabinet under the sink in clinical areas.
- Dental assistants assure that dental unit evacuation filters are maintained and that amalgam waste captured by the filters is placed in the appropriately labeled Amalgam Waste Containers located under the sink in clinical areas.
- Extracted teeth containing amalgam will be placed in the appropriately labeled Amalgam Waste Containers that have 10% formalin in them to disinfect the extracted teeth. Dental assistants will contact Facilities Management when containers need to be collected and replaced with new ones.
- Amalgam, amalgam scraps, amalgam mixing capsules (used and unused) should not be put in the biosafety / hazardous waste red colored trash bags as these materials will be incinerated.
- Any clinician or dental assistant who notes that the amalgam scrap container is full or needs replacement should contact Facilities Management for container removal and replacement with a new container.
- Facilities Management will contact UMB’s Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to request pick-up and transfer of the collected amalgam waste containers to the amalgam recycling company. EHS will provide UMSOD with labeled containers as replacements for those collected.
Amalgam Waste Best Management Practices:
DO:
- Use amalgam capsules with just enough material to restore teeth; minimize unused amalgam.
- Place use amalgam capsules in Amalgam Waste Containers.
- Empty collected amalgam from traps into Amalgam Waste Containers.
- Place used disposable amalgam traps into Amalgam Waste Containers.
- Recycle as much amalgam waste as possible
DO NOT:
- Put amalgam waste or amalgam capsules into red bio-hazard bags.
- Rinse amalgam traps and filters over sinks or other drains.
- Put extracted teeth containing amalgam into red bio-hazard bags.
Managing Biohazardous Waste Policy and Procedure
Subject: IV. Facilities – A. Biohazards and Dangerous Substances
Effective Date: June 1 2008
Reviewed and/or Revised: 09/01/2017, 4/01/2025, 8/13/2025
Purpose
To ensure protection against potential danger from improperly disposed biohazardous waste
Policy
UMSOD will comply with all State and Federal regulations that apply to the transport of regulated medical waste. For additional information, please refer to the UMB Environmental Health and Safety site.
Procedure
1. Transporting red bags filled with Biohazardous waste: performed by user Step
- 1.1. Clinical staff notifies housekeeping of biohazardous waste needs pickup
- 1.2. Housekeeping staff pulls red biohazardous waste bags
- 1.3. Housekeeping staff moves red biohazardous waste bags to holding cart on loading dock
- 1.4. EHS staff removes biohazardous waste as scheduled
Definition of Successful Execution
This procedure step has concluded successfully when EHS staff removes biohazardous waste as scheduled
2. Transporting of sharps container: performed by user Step
- 2.1. Clinical staff monitors sharps containers for capacity
- 2.2. Clinical staff removes filled sharps containers from walls
- 2.3. Clinical staff seals sharps containers with tape
- 2.4. Clinical staff deposits sealed sharps container in red biohazardous waste bag
- 2.5. Housekeeping staff manages biohazardous waste bags as in #1 above
- 2.6. Clinical staff obtains replacement sharps container through normal supply channels
Definition of Successful Execution
This procedure step has concluded successfully when Clinical staff obtains replacement sharps container through normal supply channels
3. Disposing amalgam: performed by user Step
- 3.1. Clinical staff/faculty/student deposits partially used capsules in EHS-provided plastic waste containers located under operatory sink. Pieces of old amalgam removed from patient, leftover amalgam waste, amalgam soiled gauze, suction traps from dental units with amalgam pieces, etc., should be placed in these waste containers.
- 3.2. Housekeeping staff
Definition of Successful Execution
This procedure step has concluded successfully when amalgam disposed of in container and container removed from area
4. Spill of blood or liquid OPIM: performed by user Step
- 4.1. Clinical staff contacts facility management
- 4.2. Housekeeping decontaminates area
Definition of Successful Execution
This procedure step has concluded successfully when no exposure incidents to anyone, spill removed, area decontaminated
5.Spill of solid contaminated material: performed by user Step
- 5.1. Clinical staff dons PPE
- 5.2. Clinical staff deposits material in red biohazardous waste bag
- 5.3. If decontamination is required, clinical staff contacts facility management as in #4 above
Definition of Successful Execution
This procedure has concluded successfully when Biohazardous waste is transported to holding containers at loading dock
B. Management
Applying for OneCard Access Policy and Procedure
Subject: IV. Facilities – B. Management
Department: Facilities
Effective Date: 06/01/2008
Reviewed and/or Revised: 09/01/2018, 2/18/2024
Purpose
To ensure authorized individuals are granted a University of Maryland One Card with appropriate building access. The One Card/Campus ID is the official identification card for students, faculty, and staff and is required for entrance into all buildings on the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus.
Procedure
For State Employees:
- State HR office enters new employee information into the UMB Community system
- Employee has picture taken and receives campus ID
- For additional information, please refer to the UMB One Card site.
For Affiliates and Corporate Employees (Dean's Faculty/UM FDSP):
- Corporate HR completes and signs an SOD New User Form.
- Affiliates supervisor or sponsor signs the New User Form.
- Corporate HR emails the form to SODhelp@umaryland.edu with a copy to Facilities Manager.
- Facilities Manager enters information into the UMB Community System to generate Employee ID#.
- Facilities Manager alerts corporate HR once employee's information is in the Community System.
- Employee is now approved to receive an employee ID (UMB OneCard.)
For Students:
Emergency Egress Safety Policy and Procedure
Subject: IV. Facilities – B. Management
Department: Facilities
Effective Date: 06/01/2008
Reviewed and/or Revised: 9/01/2017, 2/13/2026
Purpose
Provide clear, safe exit access for students, faculty, and staff to safely exit campus buildings in case of fire or other emergency. Minimize the hazards to firefighters when doing search and rescue or trying to reach and extinguish fires within University buildings.
Background
The State Fire Marshal's Office has been directed by state law to enforce laws, regulations, and standards pertaining to fire safety. The State Fire Prevention Commission has established a Fire Prevention Code that applies to buildings within the State of Maryland. All University buildings are affected by these fire prevention requirements.
By reference the State Fire Prevention Commission has adopted the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Life Safety Code. Section 9-2.5.6.1 of the Life Safety Code, which applies to all campus buildings, states that "a means of egress (exit) is a continuous and unobstructed way of exit travel from any point in a building or structure to a public way." This includes intervening room spaces, doorways, hallways, corridors, passageways, balconies, ramps, stairs, enclosures, and lobbies.
Many buildings are faced with storage problems, and the corridors are being used for storage. In some instances storage has escalated to the point that it presents a fire safety hazard to building occupants and firefighters.
For additional information regarding this policy, please refer to the UMB Occupant Emergency Plan (PDF).
Maintenance of Chairs Procedure
Subject: IV. Facilities – B. Management
Department: Management
Effective Date: 09/01/2017
Reviewed and/or Revised: 09/01/2017
Procedure
The fine filter should be should be checked daily and rinsed as needed.
- The Coarse Filter DOES NOT need to be cleaned
- Only receives “clean” water when tubes are flushed
Amalgam Trap:
- Check monthly:
- Need to empty depending on the amount of dental work completed involving amalgam.
- To empty
- Engage suction (draws small amount of water off top inside trap)
- Carefully remove container (unscrew). It will be nearly full of water.
- Carefully pour off as much water as possible.
- Pour amalgam scraps from trap bottom into recycle container
Procedure is Successful When…
Chairside filters are cleaned and maintained when needed in accordance with OSHA/MOSH and Planmeca Guidelines.
Additional Info:
Visitor Admissions Procedure
Subject: IV. Facilities – B. Management
Department: Facilities
Effective Date: 05/02/2012
Reviewed and/or Revised: 09/01/2017, 2/16/2024
Purpose
Allow admission to UMDS constituents while providing for the safety and security of Students, Faculty, Staff, Patients and other visitors
Policy
The building security is maintained by One Card badge access system and two security guards. The guards are located on the first floor and ground floor. Guards are required to use a computer check-in system to track all visitors that enter into the building without a campus ID. An official form of ID is required to enter into the building, with the exception of medical emergencies and special events. Data stored in the computer check-in system is stored in a secure computing facility. Access to the security data is limited to those individuals responsible for building security.
Important items to note:
- Cafe is open to the public.
- Anyone entering the building without a campus ID must check in at the guard’s desk.
- Everyone checking in at the guard’s desk must provide an official form of identification.
- After checking in at the guard desk, all visitors and vendors will be provided a printed badge that must be worn at all times while in the building. Patients will not be provided a badge, however, they must still check in at the guard desk.
- Faculty, staff and students must have their campus ID in their possession at all times while in the School of Dentistry.
- The W. Fayette St. entrance located on the ground floor is only to be used by employees.
- Faculty and staff have access to the building 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
- Students have access to the building during the following hours:
- Monday - Friday 7:30 AM - 11:00 PM
- Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Sunday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Procedure:
- Individual requesting entrance is asked to produce identification papers by the Security/Front Desk Guard
- Faculty, staff, or students produce a valid University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, UMMS, or VA Medical Center (Baltimore) identification badge, or a valid, photo-identification badge from any other college or university to gain admission
- Visitors without ID described above are challenged; visitors without bonafides needing to enter the building are denied entry by security guard.
- Visitors who have business at UMSOD but are without college or university ID card must produce a valid driver's license with photograph.
- Visitors are required to sign entry logbook.
- Visitors proceed to reception area where appointment is scheduled.
Additional UMB/UMSOD Policies and Procedures
Subject: IV. Facilities – B. Management
Department: Facilities
Effective Date: 06/01/2008
Reviewed and/or Revised: 09/01/2018, 2/16/2024, 3/13/2026
Additional UMB/UMSOD Policies and Procedures