Florida Administrative Code
64 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
64E - Division of Environmental Health
Chapter 64E-16 - BIOMEDICAL WASTE
Section 64E-16.004 - Storage and Containment
Universal Citation: FL Admin Code R 64E-16.004
Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1) Storage.
(a) Storage of biomedical waste at the
generating facility shall not exceed 30 days. The 30 day period shall commence
when the first non-sharps item of biomedical waste is placed into a red bag or
sharps container, or when a sharps container containing only sharps is
sealed.
(b) Storage of biomedical
waste in a place other than at the generating facility shall not exceed 30
days. The 30 day storage period shall begin on the day the waste is collected
from the generator.
(c) Indoor
storage areas shall have restricted access and be designated in the written
operating plan. They shall be located away from pedestrian traffic, be vermin
and insect free, and shall be maintained in a sanitary condition. They shall be
constructed of smooth, easily cleanable materials that are impervious to
liquids.
(d) Outdoor storage areas,
including containers and trailers, shall, in addition to the above criteria, be
conspicuously marked with the international biological hazard symbol as
described in paragraph
64E-16.004(2)(b),
F.A.C., and shall be secured against vandalism and unauthorized entry. The
international biological hazard symbol on an outdoor storage area shall be a
minimum of six inches in diameter.
(2) Containment.
(a) Packages of biomedical waste shall remain
sealed until treatment, except when compacted in accordance with the
requirements of this chapter as stated in Section
64E-16.006(2),
F.A.C. Ruptured or leaking packages of biomedical waste shall be placed into
larger packaging without disturbing the original seal.
(b) All packages containing biomedical waste
shall be visibly identifiable with the international biological hazard symbol
and one of the following phrases: "BIOMEDICAL WASTE", "BIOHAZARDOUS WASTE",
"BIOHAZARD", "INFECTIOUS WASTE", or "INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCE". The symbol shall be
red, orange, or black and the background color shall contrast with that of the
symbol or comply with the requirements cited in subpart Z of 29 C.F.R.
subparagraph 1910.1030(g)(1)(C), Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogen
Standard.
(c) Bags.
1. Biomedical waste, except sharps, shall be
packaged and sealed at the point of origin in impermeable, red plastic bags or,
at the discretion of the generator, into sharps containers. The international
biological hazard symbol shall be at least six inches in diameter on bags 19''
x 14'' or larger, and at least one inch in diameter on bags smaller than 19'' x
14''. Each plastic bag shall meet the following physical properties:
a. Impact resistance of 165 grams and tearing
resistance of 480 grams in both the parallel and perpendicular planes with
respect to the length of the bag. Impact resistance shall be determined using
ASTM D-1709-91, and tearing resistance shall be determined using ASTM
D-1922-89.
b. Incidental sum
concentrations of lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium and cadmium shall be no
greater than 100 ppm for dyes used in the coloration of
bags.
(d)
Sharps containers.
1. Sharps shall be
discarded at the point of origin into single use or reusable sharps containers.
Needles and scalpel blades shall not be placed directly into double-walled
corrugated containers. Sharps containers must be sealed when full. A sharps
container is considered full when materials placed into it reach the designated
fill line, or, if a fill line is not indicated, when additional materials
cannot be placed into the container without cramming or when no additional
materials are to be placed in the container.
2. Permanently mounted sharps container
holders shall bear the phrase and the international biological hazard symbol
described in paragraph
64E-16.004(2)(a),
F.A.C., if this information on the sharps container is concealed by the sharps
container holder.
3. Reusable
sharps containers shall only be emptied into a treatment cart or directly into
a treatment unit. They shall be constructed of smooth, easily cleanable
materials, and shall be decontaminated after each use.
4. The international biological hazard symbol
shall be at least one inch in diameter on sharps
containers.
(e) All outer
containers shall be rigid, leak-resistant and puncture-resistant. Reusable
outer containers shall be constructed of smooth, easily cleanable materials and
shall be decontaminated after each use.
(f) The international biological hazard
symbol shall be at least six inches in diameter on outer containers 19'' x 14''
or larger, and at least one inch in diameter on outer containers less than 19''
x 14''.
Rulemaking Authority 381.006, 381.0098 FS. Law Implemented 381.006, 381.0098, 395.002(13), 395.1011 FS.
New 6-19-89, Amended 4-2-90, 12-14-92, 1-23-94, 8-20-95, 6-4-97, Formerly 10D-104.004.
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