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Understanding
Regulated Medical Waste
by Capaccio Environmental Engineering, Inc.
Regulated medical waste is
defined by the U.S. Department
of Transportation (DOT) as a hazardous material.
The DOT requires detailed
training and certification for anyone shipping hazardous
materials. Anyone who is involved in the transport of
regulated medical waste must have general awareness,
function-specific, and security training. This
requirement also includes any
employee who performs pre-transportation functions for the
shipment of medical waste, such as packaging, marking, and
completion of shipping papers. Employees must be trained
to correctly classify, package, and mark biohazardous
waste, as well as complete any documentation required.
Regulated medical waste is
classified under hazard class 6.2 of the DOT Hazardous
Materials Regulations because it poses a risk of disease
transmission to humans or animals.
The definition for Regulated
Medical Waste can be found at 49 CFR 173.143(a)(5).
The DOT defines regulated
medical waste as:
A waste or reusable material, other than a culture or
stock of an infectious substance, that contains an
infectious substance and is generated in:
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The diagnosis, treatment or
immunization of human beings or animals,
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Research pertaining to the
diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or
animals, or
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The production or testing of
biological products
Discarded cultures and stocks
of infectious substances are classified under hazard class
6.2 and called infectious substances. Discarded cultures
and stocks must meet more stringent packaging requirements
than regulated medical waste.
In
Massachusetts, facilities must also comply with the MA
Department of Public Health (MA DPH) regulation 105 CMR
480.000, Minimum Requirements for the Management of
Medical or Biological Waste. All medical or
biological waste must be treated on-site or sent off-site
for treatment at least once per calendar year. Annual
bloodborne pathogens training, in accordance with OSHA 29
CFR 1910.1030, is required for all personnel who may
potentially handle medical or biological waste.
The
requirements for packaging Regulated Medical Waste are
located in 49 CFR 173.197. In 2004, the DOT
pre-empted the MA DPH requirement in the previous version
of 105 CMR 480.000 that 3 mil biohazard bags must be used
for solid waste that is transported off-site. The DOT
requirement is that plastic bags contain sufficient
absorbent material to absorb all liquid during
transportation. Also, the bag must be capable of being
held in an inverted position for a period of five minutes
without leakage.
Need Assistance?
For further information, please
contact Colleen Walsh at Capaccio Environmental
Engineering, Inc. at 508.970.0033 x129 or by email at
cwalsh@capaccio.com.
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