Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0720 - Health Facilities Commission
Chapter 0720-27 - Standards for Home Care Organizations Providing Home Health Services
Section 0720-27-.10 - INFECTIOUS AND HAZARDOUS WASTE
Current through April 3, 2024
(1) Each agency must develop, maintain and implement written policies and procedures for the definition and handling of its infectious and hazardous waste. These policies and procedures must comply with the standards of this rule and all other applicable state and federal regulations.
(2) The following waste shall be considered to be infectious waste:
(3) Waste must be packaged in a manner that will protect waste handlers and the public from possible injury and disease that may result from exposure to the waste. Such packaging must provide for containment of the waste from the point of generation up to the point of proper treatment or disposal. Packaging must be selected and utilized for the type of waste the package will contain, how the waste will be treated and disposed, and how it will be handled and transported prior to treatment and disposal.
(4) After packaging, waste must be handled, transported and stored by methods ensuring containment and preserving of the integrity of the packaging, including the use of secondary containment where necessary.
(5) Waste must be stored in a manner which preserves the integrity of the packaging, inhibits rapid microbial growth and putrefaction, and minimizes the potential of exposure or access by unknowing persons. Waste must be stored in a manner and location which affords protection from animals, precipitation, wind and direct sunlight, does not present a safety hazard, does not provide a breeding place or food source for insects or rodents and does not create a nuisance.
(6) In the event of spills, ruptured packaging, or other incidents where there is a loss of containment of waste, the agency must ensure that proper actions are immediately taken to:
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 68-11-202, and 68-11-209.