Current through Register Vol. 41, No. 3, September 23, 2024
A. The
requirements of this section apply to storage of regulated medical waste,
including storage (i) in soiled utility rooms and other accumulation areas;
(ii) at a generating facility; (iii) during transportation; (iv) at a regulated
medical waste transfer stations; and (v) at a regulated medical waste treatment
or disposal facility. This section also applies to areas used to transfer a
load of regulated medical waste from one vehicle to another or when a vehicle
containing regulated medical waste is parked for 24 hours or more during
transportation.
B. All regulated
medical waste shall be stored in a manner that:
1. Maintains the integrity of the packaging
at all times, prevents damage, leakage, and spills and provides protection from
the elements, vectors, and trespassers;
2. Maintains the packaging in an upright and
stable configuration to minimize the potential for spills. If packages or
containers are stacked, except during transport, the top of the stacked
containers must not be more than six feet above the level of the floor. The
integrity of the containers must not be compromised by the stacking
arrangement;
3. Is clean and
orderly and located in areas free of standing liquid and debris;
4. Provides security from unauthorized access
and protects workers and the general public. Regulated medical waste shall be
stored in areas where access is limited to only those persons specifically
designated to manage regulated medical waste;
5. Meets the packaging and labeling
requirements of
9VAC20-121-110; and
6. Meets the requirements of
9VAC20-121-130 when regulated
medical waste is stored in reusable carts or containers.
C. Regulated medical waste transfer stations,
treatment facilities, and generators of 250 gallons or more of regulated
medical waste per calendar month are subject to the following storage
requirements:
1. All regulated medical waste
shall be stored on surfaces that are cleanable and impermeable to liquids.
Carpets and floor coverings with cracks or gaps shall not be used in storage
areas. Where tile floors are used and seams are present in the tile, the floor
must be sealed with wax or other floor coatings in order to meet this
requirement.
2. In areas used to
store regulated medical waste, all floor drains shall discharge directly to an
approved sanitary sewer system, and all ventilation shall discharge so as to
minimize human exposure to the waste.
3. Signage shall be displayed to indicate any
areas used to store regulated medical waste.
D. All regulated medical waste shall be
stored in accordance with the following timeframes:
1. Generators of less than 250 gallons of
regulated medical waste per calendar month shall arrange for the removal of all
regulated medical waste stored onsite at least once per calendar month and
provide shipment to a facility permitted to receive it for transfer, treatment,
or disposal. No regulated medical waste shall be stored onsite for more than 45
calendar days, and no more than 250 gallons of regulated medical waste shall be
stored onsite at any given time. Records shall be maintained in accordance with
9VAC20-121-100 I.
2. Generators of 250 gallons or more of
regulated medical waste per calendar month shall arrange for the removal of all
regulated medical waste stored onsite at least once per calendar week and
provide shipment to a facility permitted to receive it for transfer, treatment,
or disposal. No regulated medical waste shall be stored onsite for more than 10
calendar days. Records shall be maintained in accordance with
9VAC20-121-100 I.
3. Regulated medical waste treatment
facilities shall provide treatment or removal of all regulated medical waste
stored onsite on at least a weekly basis. No regulated medical waste shall be
stored onsite for more than 10 calendar days. Records shall be maintained in
accordance with
9VAC20-121-340, as
applicable.
4. Regulated medical
waste transfer stations shall store unrefrigerated regulated medical waste
onsite for no more than seven calendar days. All regulated medical waste stored
for more than seven calendar days must be refrigerated and stored in an ambient
temperature between 35°F and 45°F (2°C and 7°C). No regulated
medical waste shall be stored onsite for more than a total of 15 calendar days.
Records shall be maintained in accordance with
9VAC20-121-340, as
applicable.
5. Regulated medical
waste transfer stations and treatment facilities shall clearly demonstrate the
length of time that regulated medical waste is accumulated onsite by marking
the outer packaging in permanent ink or maintaining an inventory, barcode, log,
or other recordkeeping system.
E. Except in accordance with a permit:
1. No more than 25% of the regulated medical
waste stored onsite each month shall be generated or received from offsite,
except for emergency cleanups conducted in accordance with
9VAC20-121-300 E 5 and household
sharps collected at sharps drop boxes in accordance with
9VAC20-121-300 E 1;
2. Regulated medical waste shall not be
treated onsite; and
3. Regulated
medical waste that is stored on a loading dock or in areas designated for
loading shall be packaged, marked, and labeled for transport and shall not be
stored in loading areas for more than 24 hours.
Statutory Authority: § 10.1-1402 of the Code of
Virginia; 42 USC §
6941 et seq.; 40 CFR Part
257.