Current through August 26, 2024
No person may store infectious wastes unless the person
protects waste handlers and other persons from exposure to the infectious waste
and unless the requirements of this section are met. For the purposes of this
chapter, storage also includes, but is not limited to the transfer of
infectious waste. Infectious waste generators may temporarily accumulate
infectious waste in individual containers near the place where the waste was
generated, prior to moving the waste to an on-site infectious waste storage
facility.
(1) LICENSING. Except as
provided in sub. (2), no person may operate or maintain an infectious waste
storage facility unless the person has obtained an operating license for
storing solid waste under s.
NR 502.05 and
the storage facility meets all the requirements for handling infectious waste
under s.
NR 526.08 and storing infectious waste under this
section. The department may require that the owner or operator provide proof of
financial responsibility for the removal, transportation, treatment and
ultimate disposal of the stored material. To apply for an operating license for
an infectious waste storage facility, the applicant shall take all of the
following actions:
(a) Contact the department
to arrange an initial inspection.
(b) Prepare a plan of operation according to
sub. (3).
(c) Submit the plan of
operation to the department for approval, according to the requirements in s.
NR 500.05. Upon receipt of the plan of operation, the
department will send an invoice for the plan review fee for infectious waste
storage facilities, as specified in s.
NR 520.04,
Table 2.
(d) After obtaining a plan
of operation approval from the department, submit an application form for the
operating license and the license fee, according to ss.
NR 500.06
and 520.04, Table 2.
(2) EXEMPTIONS. Infectious waste storage
facilities which meet any of the following conditions are exempt from the
requirement to obtain an operating license under sub. (1) and preparing a plan
of operation under sub. (3) for storing infectious waste, but shall meet the
minimum operating requirements for storing infectious waste under sub. (4).
(a) Storage facilities which are located on
the property where the infectious waste is generated.
(b) Storage facilities which are located on
the property where the infectious waste is generated and which accept
infectious waste from off-site generators, if the total quantity of infectious
waste, including items mixed with infectious waste, accepted from off-site is
less than the quantity generated on- site or less than 500 pounds per month,
whichever is less and if the waste is accepted on a not-for-profit and
cost-only basis.
(c) Sharps
collection stations which comply with all of the requirements under sub.
(5).
(d) Storage facilities for
infectious waste which also is hazardous waste under s.
291.01(7),
Stats., provided that the storage facility is regulated under ch. NR
664.
(3) PLAN OF
OPERATION. No person may establish or construct an infectious waste storage
facility or expand an existing facility unless the person has obtained a plan
of operation approval from the department or unless the facility is exempt from
licensing under sub. (2). The plan of operation shall specify the intent and
objectives of the proposal and indicate methods and procedures to prevent and
minimize adverse environmental and health impacts. Unless otherwise approved by
the department in writing, the plan shall be submitted in accordance with s.
NR 500.05 and shall contain, at a minimum, the
information listed in s.
NR 502.05(8), except s.
NR 502.05(8)
(e), and any other details necessary to
address the requirements in this chapter, including but not limited to
requirements for handling and containment and the requirements of sub.
(4).
(4) MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR
ALL PERSONS STORING INFECTIOUS WASTE. No person may operate or maintain an
infectious waste storage facility unless the storage area meets all of the
following requirements:
(a) The storage area
shall be kept clean and be impermeable to liquids. Carpeted areas or wooden
floors may not be used in storage areas.
(b) The storage area designated for
infectious waste may contain only infectious wastes and their containers. The
storage area may be an area designated within a room.
(c) The storage area shall be in an enclosed
building, container or vehicle so that the infectious waste is not exposed to
weather.
(d) Access to the storage
area shall be limited to authorized personnel.
(e) Nuisance conditions shall be prevented
from developing. Appropriate measures shall be taken to prevent odors,
including but not limited to refrigerating the infectious waste below 42°
Fahrenheit until treated.
(f) If
the infectious waste is to be treated off-site, the operator of the infectious
waste storage facility shall relinquish the infectious waste only to an
infectious waste transporter licensed by the department or to a person exempt
from licensing under s.
NR 526.10(2).
(g) The containers of infectious waste shall
be removed and emptied as necessary, but at least every 90 days.
(h) The operator of the infectious waste
storage facility shall keep records of how much and where the infectious waste
has been sent off-site. Records may consist of any of the following: copies of
infectious waste manifests, invoices, logs or other written documentation of
the amount of infectious waste sent off-site for treatment.
(5) OPERATING REQUIREMENTS FOR
SHARPS COLLECTION STATIONS. No person may operate or maintain a sharps
collection station unless the person complies with all of the following
requirements:
(a) The person accepts only
sharps and sharps containers from infectious waste generators, each of which
generates less than 50 pounds of sharps per month, including items which may be
mixed with the sharps.
(b) The
person provides the service on a not-for-profit and cost-only basis.
(c) The person stores no more than 500 pounds
of infectious waste in the sharps collection station at any one time.
(d) The person complies with the requirements
in ss.
NR 526.06 to 526.08, 526.09(4) (a) to (g), 526.10(3) and 526.13.
(e) The person registers the sharps
collection station with the department by mailing or delivering a letter of
registration to the chief of the solid waste management section, bureau of
solid and hazardous waste management, department of natural resources, P.O. Box
7921, 101 S. Webster Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7921. The person shall
also send copies of the letter to the appropriate department district and area
offices. The letter of registration shall state all of the following:
1. Name, street address, county and phone
number, if any, of the place where the sharps collection station is
located.
2. Name, mailing address
and phone number of person responsible for operating the sharps collection
station.
3. Name, mailing address
and phone number of the owner of the sharps collection station, if different
than the operator.
4. Fees charged
for use of the sharps collection station and what costs the fees
cover.
(f) The person
notifies the department immediately in writing if the sharps collection station
moves or ceases to operate.
