Current through Register Vol. 41, No. 3, September 23, 2024
A. Any
person or facility handling, generating, storing, transporting, transferring,
treating, or disposing of regulated medical waste shall immediately address all
spills of regulated medical waste, incidents or emergencies, maintenance
events, and nonconformances that could have an impact on the management of
regulated medical waste at the facility.
B. Anyone handling regulated medical waste
shall maintain a spill containment and cleanup kit onsite within the vicinity
of any area where regulated medical waste is managed, and the location of the
kit shall provide for rapid and efficient cleanup of spills anywhere within the
area. All vehicles transporting regulated medical wastes are required to carry
a spill containment and clean up kit in the vehicle whenever regulated medical
wastes are conveyed. A spill containment and cleanup kit shall consist of at
least the following items:
1. Material
designed to absorb spilled liquids, and the amount of absorbent material shall
be that having a capacity, as rated by the manufacturer, of one gallon of
liquid for every cubic foot of regulated medical waste that is normally managed
in the area for which the kit is provided or 10 gallons, whichever is
less;
2. In a sprayer capable of
dispersing its charge in a mist and a stream at a distance, at least one gallon
of an EPA-registered hospital grade disinfectant effective against
mycobacteria, unless it can be demonstrated that an alternate EPA-registered
disinfectant is protective of human health and the environment and is
appropriate for the type of regulated medical waste managed and surfaces being
disinfected;
3. Enough red plastic
bags to double enclose at least 150% of the maximum load managed (up to a
maximum of 500 bags) that meet the applicable requirements of 49 CFR Part 173 ,
including the ASTM 125 pound drop test for filled bags (D959) or an exemption
approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation and are accompanied by seals
and labels. These bags shall be large enough to overpack any box or container
normally used for regulated medical waste management by that generator,
handler, or facility;
4.
Appropriate personal protective equipment, such as puncture and leak resistant
gloves, safety glasses or face shield, protective coveralls or bib, protective
footwear, and mask or respiratory protection as needed; and
5. For vehicles only, a first aid kit, fire
extinguisher, boundary marking tape, lights, and other appropriate safety
equipment.
C. Following
any spill or release of regulated medical waste or its discovery, the following
procedures shall be implemented:
1. Take
appropriate precautions to ensure personnel do not come into contact with any
contaminants by wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.
2. Repackage spilled regulated medical waste
in accordance with the packaging requirements in
9VAC20-121-110.
3. Transport any regulated medical waste by a
transporter that meets the requirements of
9VAC20-121-150.
4. Clean and disinfect all areas and
materials having been contacted by regulated medical waste using an
EPA-registered hospital grade disinfectant effective against mycobacteria in
accordance with manufacturer's label instructions, unless it can be
demonstrated that an alternate EPA-registered disinfectant is protective of
human health and the environment and is appropriate for the type of regulated
medical waste managed and surfaces being disinfected.
5. Take necessary steps to replenish the
spill containment and cleanup kit.
Statutory Authority: § 10.1-1402 of the Code of
Virginia; 42 USC §
6941 et seq.; 40 CFR Part
257.
