Current through Register Vol. 41, No. 3, September 23, 2024
A. The
design and construction of all regulated medical waste transfer stations or
treatment facilities shall be governed by the standards as set forth in this
section. These facilities shall have:
1. An
access road suitable for loaded collection vehicles in all weather conditions
from the entrance to the unloading or receiving area of the facility.
2. Onsite queuing capacity for the expected
traffic so that the waiting collection vehicles do not back up onto the public
road.
3. Unloading and loading
areas of an adequate size and design to facilitate efficient transfer of
regulated medical waste to and from collection vehicles and the unobstructed
movement of vehicles.
4. Access
controls such as perimeter security fencing, gates, locks, badge systems, or
other controls to limit access to areas used to store, transfer, or treat
regulated medical waste to only those persons specifically designated to manage
regulated medical waste.
5.
Adequate lighting so that operating personnel can exercise site control.
Lighting may be provided by portable equipment as necessary.
6. Covered areas with cleanable and
impermeable surfaces for handling, storage, transfer, and treatment of
regulated medical waste and the cleaning and disinfection of reusable
containers. These areas shall not be carpeted or have floor coverings with
cracks or gaps. 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.
7. Bermed pavement, a
liquid retaining lip, or equivalent controls at loading docks and near rolling
or bay doors to contain potential leaks and spills of regulated medical waste
or other liquids.
8. Floors sloped
or graded to drain such that all effluent, wash water, and other runoff from
storage and processing areas, treatment equipment, waste compactors, and
reusable container cleaning and disinfection areas is contained and discharged
directly to an approved sanitary sewer system.
9. Ventilation that discharges to minimize
human exposure to the waste.
10. A
water supply shall be provided for cleaning purposes.
11. Fire alarm and protection systems capable
of detecting, controlling, and extinguishing any and all fires.
12. Fixed radiation detectors in a location
as close as practicable to the incoming waste loads and in an appropriate
geometry to monitor all waste prior to storage, transfer, or treatment. A fixed
radiation detector is not required at captive regulated medical waste
management facility if the facility demonstrates that there is no potential for
generation or management of radioactive materials or wastes. Demonstration
shall include a certification that there is no radiation producing equipment or
material onsite.
B.
Effluent, wash water, and other runoff from the facility shall not be permitted
to drain or discharge into surface waters except when authorized under a VPDES
permit issued pursuant to 9VAC25-31.
C. Slides, cart tippers, conveyors, and
similar equipment used to move regulated medical waste must be designed and
constructed such that the movement and impact is controlled to maintain the
integrity of the packaging at all times and prevent damage, leakage, and
spills. Trash chutes shall not be used to manage regulated medical
waste.
D. Any areas used for the
storage of regulated medical waste shall be designed in accordance with
9VAC20-121-120 and have sufficient
storage capacity for the maximum anticipated storage amount based on the amount
of daily incoming waste and maximum length of time in storage.
E. All facilities that manage reusable
containers or carts for regulated medical waste shall have designated areas for
manual or mechanical cleaning and disinfection that comply with the
requirements of
9VAC20-121-130.
Statutory Authority: § 10.1-1402 of the Code of
Virginia; 42 USC §
6941 et seq.; 40 CFR Part
257.
