5.8.1 - 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. 

1. All workforce members at the College of Dentistry must participate in the TB surveillance program during onboarding, regardless of their participation in patient care. Employees involved in patient care will complete an annual TB screening questionnaire after their first year of service. Employee immunization records are maintained by the OU Health Employee Health Clinic. The Director of Compliance has access to the COD database.
2. Respiratory Protection Program is available for workforce members who have the potential of exposure to TB or any other respiratory pathogens that require an N95 respirator for treatment. The EHSO will fit-test students who want to be fit-tested. The OU Health Employee Health Clinic will fit-test any employee who wants to be fit-tested.