Rule 3745-27-35 | Standards for handling infectious wastes.
(A) For the purposes of this rule, a storage area means an area used to collect containers that are sealed, or bags that are sealed or otherwise closed, and tied, or closed sharps containers prior to treatment. Generators and treatment facilities, as defined under Chapter 3734. of the Revised Code, shall adhere to the following handling requirements for all in-use and stored containers of infectious waste:
(1) Handle infectious waste containers in a manner and location that maintains the integrity of the container;
(2) Lock outside storage areas containing infectious wastes containers to prevent unauthorized access;
(3) Designate infectious waste storage areas. Those storage areas that are not locked, shall be visibly labled with a sign stating "warning: infectious waste" or displaying the international biohazard symbol at all points of access.
(B) Generators and treatment facilities, as defined under Chapter 3734. of the Revised Code, shall adhere to the following regulations for the management of the infectious wastes within containers:
(1) Maintain infectious wastes in a nonputrescent state, using refrigeration or freezing when necessary; and
(2) If infectious waste becomes putrescent, then the waste must be immediately refrigerated or frozen and shall be treated and disposed of as soon as possible regardless of any storage time frame;
(3) Maintain infectious wastes in a manner that affords protection from animals and does not provide a breeding place or a food source for insects or rodents.
(C) Infectious waste treatment facilities shall adhere to the following storage regulations:
(1) No infectious waste may be stored more than fourteen days at any facility;
(2) No more than seven times the treatment facility's total maximum daily throughput capacity of all incinerators and/or autoclaves shall be stored for treatment;
(3) All facilities shall formulate a contingency plan. At a minimum the plan shall:
(a) Address compliance with the requirements set forth in paragraphs (A) and (B) of this rule, and shall provide for the removal of infectious wastes to an alternate treatment facility;
(b) Be maintained at the treatment facility as a part of the facility management plan in accordance with rule 3745-27-32 of the Administrative Code;
(c) Designate an emergency coordinator and an alternate emergency coordinator; and
(d) Contain all of the following:
(i) Table of contents, and
(ii) Facility identification, and
(iii) Purpose statement, and
(iv) Emergency response equipment, and
(v) A designatation of alternative treatment facilities, and
(vi) Responsibilities of emergency coordinator, and
(vii) Storage procedures, and
(viii) Handling procedures, and
(ix) Refrigeration and freezing requirements in accordance with rule 3745-27-35 of the Administrative Code, and
(x) Implementation of response, and
(xi) Internal notification, and
(xii) Provide a posting of emergency procedures.
(4) If the treatment facility exceeds or reasonably anticipates exceeding storage capacity, then the treatment facility shall implement its contingency plan and notify on the same or next business day the appropriate health department and Ohio EPA district office of the implementation of the contingency plan;
(5) A generator who also treats infectious wastes generated on premises owned or operated by the generator shall be subject to the requirements of paragraph (C) of this rule when the untreated infectious wastes are in a centralized storage area directly prior to treatment; and
(6) Other storage methods approved by the director.
(D) For the purposes of this rule, a treatment facility may utilize a trailer as a storage area only if the trailer is equipped in such a manner as to prevent the spillage of infectious wastes or liquids outside of the trailer.
(E) Generators that collect and store infectious wastes, produced by multiple infectious waste generators in a centralized location, shall store and handle the infectious wastes in accordance with this rule.
Last updated October 17, 2024 at 12:36 PM
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