Medical Waste Management Case Study

4. REGULATION OF MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT IN US

4.1. Definition [12, 13, 14]

Regulated Medical Waste (RMW), also known as ‘Bio-Hazardous’ waste or 'infectious medical’ waste, is the portion of the waste stream that may be contaminated by blood, body fluids or other potentially infectious materials, thus posing a significant risk of transmitting infection.

4.2. Regulation [12, 13]

EPA no longer plays a central role in Medical Waste regulation; the states and other federal agencies have taken on that duty. The following reviews the current regulatory scheme for Medical Wastes.

State Medical Waste Regulations

• Nearly all 50 states have enacted Medical Waste regulations to some extent.

• Some state Medical Waste rules are fashioned after

• Although in some states, the department of health may play an important role (e.g., MO, OK) or even serve as the primary regulatory agency (e.g., CO). Where both agencies are involved, the department of health is accountable for on-site management and the environmental agency is responsible for transportation and disposal (e.g., LA, MO).

OSHA Regulations

• OSHA, whether it is the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration or an OSHA state program (24 states operate their own program), controls numerous aspects of Medical Waste, together with requirements for containers that hold Medical Waste, management of sharps, labeling of Regulated Medical Waste bags/containers, and member training.

• These standards are designed to protect healthcare workers from the risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens.

• However, they also help to systematically wastes management that benefits the public and

The name and phone number of the primary contact person for the facility;

6. The approximate amount of regulated medical waste that will be generated per year at each location;

7. If regulated medical waste is to be treated and/or destroyed on-site, provide a description of the treatment/destruction methods;

8. If regulated medical waste is to be transported off-site for treatment and/or destruction, provide the approximate quantity of treated and untreated waste, as well as the name(s) and RI Regulated Medical Waste Transporter Permit Number(s) of the transporter(s);

9. The signature of the applicant or a person duly authorized to act on behalf of the applicant; and

10. Any other information reasonably required by the Director to demonstrate that the applicant can safely generate and manage regulated medical waste in accordance with all applicable provisions of these regulations.

Notification of Changes:

A registered generator of regulated medical waste shall notify the Director, in writing, of any change(s) in the information required by the permit application within five- (5) business days

Regulated Medical Waste Generator Registrations