Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 38, September 20, 2024
A. A generator may
place a container of biohazardous medical waste alongside a container of solid
waste if the biohazardous medical waste is identified and not allowed to
co-mingle with the solid waste. The storage area shall not be used to store
substances for human consumption or for medical supplies.
B. Once biohazardous medical waste has been
packaged for shipment off site, a generator shall provide a storage area for
biohazardous medical waste until the waste is collected and shall comply with
both of the following requirements:
1. Secure
the storage area in a manner that restricts access to, or contact with the
biohazardous medical waste to authorized persons.
2. Display the universal biohazard symbol and
post warning signs worded as follows for medical waste storage areas: (in
English) "CAUTION -- BIOHAZARDOUS MEDICAL WASTE STORAGE AREA -- UNAUTHORIZED
PERSONS KEEP OUT" and (in Spanish) "PRECAUCION -- ZONA DE ALMACENAMIENTO DE
DESPERDICIOS BIOLOGICOS PELIGROSOS -- PROHIBIDA LA ENTRADA A PERSONAS NO
AUTORIZADAS."
C.
Beginning at the time the waste is set out for collection, a generator who
stores biohazardous medical waste shall comply with all of the following
requirements:
1. Putrescible biohazardous
medical waste may be kept unrefrigerated up to 72 hours if it would not
otherwise cause odor detectable beyond the property line or attract
vermin.
2. Refrigerate at 40°
F. or less from hour 72 through day 90 putrescible biohazardous medical waste
kept for up to 90 days.
3.
Nonputrescible biohazardous medical waste may be kept unrefrigerated for up to
90 days.
4. Store biohazardous medical waste for 90 days or
less unless the generator has obtained facility plan approval under A.R.S.
§ 49762.04 and is in compliance with the design and operational
requirements prescribed in
R18-13-1412.
5.
Keep the storage area free of visible contamination.
6. Protect biohazardous
medical waste from contact with water, precipitation, wind, or animals. A
generator shall ensure that the waste does not provide a breeding place or a
food source for insects or rodents.
7. Handle spills by
re-packaging the biohazardous medical waste, re-labeling the containers and
cleaning any soiled surface as prescribed in
R18-13-1407(A)(2)(b).
8.
Notwithstanding subsections (C)(1) if odors become a problem, and (2), a
generator shall minimize the off-site migration of odors and the presence of
vermin. If the Department determines that a generator has not acted or
adequately addressed odors or vermin, the Department shall require the waste to
be removed or refrigerated at 40° F or less.
D. Trace chemotherapy waste shall be clearly
identified as such by its label.
