UCT has comprehensive policies, processes and practices on waste disposal, including hazardous materials, which staff and students are trained on and updated annually. The policy document described below was approved in 2005 and updated / reviewed annually since then.

Hazardous Chemical Substances Policy

Objectives of this Policy

This policy and associated guidelines covers the handling, use, storage and waste disposal of Hazardous substances. The objective of this policy is to set appropriate minimum standards to prevent, or where that is not reasonably practicable or even possible, to minimize the risk of harm or adverse effects arising from work with hazardous chemical substances. This policy does not cover substances that are hazardous such as asbestos and machine-made mineral fibres. Hazardous Biological Agents, radiation hazards, and substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction are hazardous substances. However, these have their own specific guidelines.

• Carcinogenic, mutagenic substances or substances toxic to reproduction:- University Management Guide: The Categorization and Control of Carcinogens, Mutagens, and Substances Toxic to Reproduction.
• Hazardous Biological Agents:- University Policy: Hazardous Biological Agents
• Radiation hazards: University Policies: Working with Ionising Radiation (Group III and Group IV Hazardous Substances) and Group IV Hazardous Substances, Pregnant and Breastfeeding Members of the University

This Policy is reviewed by the Hazardous Chemical Substance Committee, annually from the date of implementation or when deemed necessary.

Hazardous substances

Every university laboratory and department working with hazardous materials and chemicals should hold Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). An MSDS is a document prepared by the manufacturer that contains information on the potential hazards and how to work safely with the product. MSDSs must be readily available (even during power failures) in case of an emergency, such as one requiring first aid or fire-fighting services.

UCT is responsible for limiting the amount of hazardous chemical substances or biological agents which may contaminate the working environment. At UCT, there are systems in place for the responsible disposal of hazardous waste, such as:

Biohazardous waste, including sharps

Chemical waste, including toxic solvents and paint

E-waste, including computers, cellphones, printer cartridges

Universal waste, including fluorescent light bulbs, batteries

Hazardous-materials controls and emergency preparedness — UCT runs OHSE training and emergency-preparedness modules (including online training rolled out in 2023), requires risk assessments for hazardous substances, and maintains waste-management and health-care risk waste procedures that align with national hazardous-waste and HCS regulations. These systems require units to keep MSDS, use appropriate containment, and follow specified disposal routes — all of which reduce the chance of spills entering storm drains and river

UCT’s Standard Operating Procedure on Waste Disposal Management details the steps to be taken to maintain safety in regards to hazards, both liquid and solid, and to dispose of/ recycle these in accordance with safety guidelines.

UCT’s Standard Operating Procedures for Chemical Spills include containment, clean-up, decontamination of the hazardous chemicals, in addition to first aid and reporting protocols. Spill kits are provided to prevent spills from polluting other areas or waterways.

UCT’s Mercury Spill Clean-Up protocol likewise includes containment, decontamination, and hazardous waste disposal steps which confine the mercury spill to controlled and safe conditions.