Section 27-1505. Storage and containment of regulated medical waste  


Latest version.
  • 1.  Containment  of  regulated  medical waste shall be in a manner and
      location which  affords  protection  from  the  environment  and  limits
      exposure to the public.
        2.  Unless  otherwise  approved  by  the department, regulated medical
      waste shall be contained at the generator's facility and  at  any  other
      location  off the site of the generator's facility only for such periods
      and under such conditions pursuant to rules and regulations  adopted  in
      furtherance of this title.
        3. Containment of regulated medical waste shall be separate from other
      wastes.  Containers  used for the containment of regulated medical waste
      shall be marked with prominent warning signs on the containers with  the
      word "infectious" or the words "regulated medical waste".
        4.  Regulated medical waste, except for all discarded sharps, shall be
      contained in bags which are impervious to moisture and have  a  strength
      sufficient   to   resist  ripping,  tearing  or  bursting  under  normal
      conditions of usage and of handling. The bags shall be secured so as  to
      prevent leakage during storage, handling or transport. All bags used for
      containment  and  disposal  of  regulated medical wastes shall be red in
      color.
        5. All discarded sharps shall be contained for disposal in  leakproof,
      rigid,  puncture-resistant containers which are secured to preclude loss
      of the contents. Such containers shall be  red  in  color  or  shall  be
      conspicuously labeled with the word "infectious" or the words "regulated
      medical waste".
        6.  Before regulated medical waste is transported from the generator's
      facility, regulated medical waste  contained  in  disposable  containers
      shall be placed for storage or handling in disposable or reusable pails,
      cartons,  drums  or  portable  bins.  The  containment  system  shall be
      leakproof, have tight-fitting covers and  be  kept  clean  and  in  good
      repair.  The  containers  may be of any color and shall be conspicuously
      labeled with the word  "infectious"  or  the  words  "regulated  medical
      waste".
        7. Reusable containers for regulated medical waste shall be thoroughly
      washed  and decontaminated each time they are emptied in conformity with
      procedures prescribed by the department of health, unless  the  surfaces
      of  the  containers have been completely protected from contamination by
      disposable liners, bags or other devices removed with the waste.
        8. Reusable pails, drums or bins used  for  containment  of  regulated
      medical  waste shall not be used for containment of waste to be disposed
      of  as  other  wastes  or  for  other  purposes   except   after   being
      decontaminated   in   conformity   with  procedures  prescribed  by  the
      department of health.
        9. Trash chutes shall not be used to transfer regulated medical  waste
      between locations where it is contained.