Regulated Medical Waste Management and Proper Waste Segregation. State-Specific Information Washington

Transcription

1 Regulated Medical Waste Management and Proper Waste Segregation State-Specific Information Washington

2 Biomedical Waste Regulation In the State of Washington biomedical waste, where regulated, is regulated by individual counties A website that provides links to each county in Washington is Washington State defines biomedical waste in its Administrative Code as shown on the following page 2

3 Identifying & Segregating a) "Animal waste" is waste animal carcasses, body parts, and bedding of animals that are known to be infected with, or that have been inoculated with, human pathogenic microorganisms infectious to humans b) "Biosafety level 4 disease waste" is waste contaminated with blood, excretions, exudates, or secretions from humans or animals who are isolated to protect others from highly communicable infectious diseases that are identified as pathogenic organisms assigned to biosafety level 4 by the centers for disease control, national institute of health, biosafety in microbiological and biomedical laboratories, current edition c) "Cultures and stocks" are wastes infectious to humans and includes specimen cultures, cultures and stocks of etiologic agents, wastes from production of biologicals and serums, discarded live and attenuated vaccines, and laboratory waste that has come into contact with cultures and stocks of etiologic agents or blood specimens. Such waste includes but is not limited to culture dishes, blood specimen tubes, and devices used to transfer, inoculate, and mix cultures 3

4 Identifying & Segregating (continued) d) "Human blood and blood products" is discarded waste human blood and blood components, and materials containing free-flowing blood and blood products e) "Pathological waste" is waste human source biopsy materials, tissues, and anatomical parts that emanate from surgery, obstetrical procedures, and autopsy. "Pathological waste" does not include teeth, human corpses, remains, and anatomical parts that are intended for interment or cremation f) "Sharps waste" is all hypodermic needles, syringes with needles attached, IV tubing with needles attached, scalpel blades, and lancets that have been removed from the original sterile package 4

5 King County Concerning the management of biomedical waste, this presentation uses King County information be sure to check with your particular county, however, for any variance:

6 Containment of RMW, King County This section describes the types of containers in which different types of medical waste should be held while in storage or under transport. Sharps must be contained in leak-proof, rigid, puncture-resistant, breakresistant containers which are labeled and tightly lidded during storage, handling, and transport For biomedical waste, excluding sharps, dispose of the waste in leak-proof plastic bags strong enough to prevent ripping, tearing, breaking, or bursting under normal conditions of use. Rigid plastic, single-use, or approved multiple-use marked containers may also be used. Biomedical waste that is held in plastic bags should additionally be placed in another leak-proof container such as disposable or reusable pails, drums, or bins during storage or transport Secure bags or containers to prevent leakage or expulsion during storage The container holding the biomedical waste should be conspicuously labeled with the international biohazard symbol, and the words "Biomedical Waste" (or words that clearly denote biomedical waste) 6

7 Managing RMW Collection and Storage Proper Storage of RMW Containers Storage, King County Sort and separate biomedical waste from other waste at the point where the waste is created Keep it from direct contact with humans, animals, insects, and environmental elements, such as rain and wind. Limit access only to people who are trained and authorized to handle this waste

8 Disposal, King County Biomedical waste must not be compacted or placed into the regular garbage before it is decontaminated Trash chutes must not be used to transfer biomedical waste Biomedical waste, except sharps, must be treated or delivered to a biomedical waste storage/treatment operator within fourteen (14) days, unless otherwise approved by the health officer Sharps waste must be disposed of or be transported to a storage treatment facility within ninety (90) days starting from the time the sharps container is sealed

9 DOT Requirements RMW Container Markings 9

10 Training Requirements Since Regulated Medical Waste contains sharps and potentially infectious substances, all affected employees are required to have initial and annual OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens training The transport of Regulated Medical Waste is regulated by the United States Department of Transportation as a hazardous material while it is in transport. All affected employees (those who perform the functions of either packaging or signing the shipping papers) must complete DOT hazardous materials training initially and every three years thereafter Stericycle can provide the necessary DOT training for your employees. Please contact your sales or customer service representative for details 10

11 Thank you! Thank you for your interest in the specific laws governing Regulated Medical Waste in Washington Be sure to also check actual State and County websites for further details and any possible changes to State or County regulations If you have additional specific questions relating to waste segregation please feel free to Stericycle at 11