Texas
Special/Medical
Waste
Background Information Definition of Regulated Medical Waste
Managing Regulated
Medical Waste
OSHA Regulations
Statutes,
Regulations and Guidelines
Contacts
More Information
Background Information
Medical waste differs from hazardous waste. Hazardous waste is regulated by the US EPA (and related state rules) under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Medical waste is not covered federal environmental laws or US EPA regulations (with the exception of a medical waste that also meets the definition of hazardous waste). Rather, medical waste is mostly controlled by state law and associated regulations. In addition to state environmental agency laws/rules, aspects of medical waste management are also controlled by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (federal and/or state) and Department of Transportation (federal and state).
Each of our 50 states have developed rules and implemented regulations for medical waste. The state rules vary to some extent, including terminology. Depending on which state you live in, you may hear the terms regulated medical waste, biohazardous waste or infectious medical waste. In most cases, these terms all refer to the same thing: that portion of the medical waste stream that may be contaminated by blood, body fluids or other potentially infectious materials, thus posing a significant risk of transmitting infection.
Most states have regulations covering packaging, storage, and transportation of medical waste. Some states require health care facilities to register and/or obtain a permit. State rules may also cover the development of contingency plans, on-site treatment, training, waste tracking, recordkeeping, and reporting.
In most states, the environmental protection agency is primarily responsible for developing and enforcing regulations for medical waste management and disposal. Although in some states, the department of health may play an important role or even serve as the primary regulatory agency. Where both agencies are involved, typically the department of health is responsible for on-site management and the environmental agency is responsible for transportation and disposal.
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), regulates several aspects of medical waste, including management of sharps, requirements for containers that hold or store medical waste, labeling of medical waste bags/containers, and employee training. These standards are designed to protect healthcare workers from the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. However, they also help to systematically manage wastes, which benefit the public and environment.
Regulated medical waste is defined by the US Department of Transportation as a hazardous material. DOT rules mostly apply to transporters rather than healthcare facilities; although, knowledge of these rules is important because of the liability associated with shipping waste off-site.
Definition of Regulated Medical Waste
The term "special waste from health-care-related
facilities" (SWFHCRF) is used to define regulated waste, including:
A chain of events is necessary to produce disease
from contact with medical waste:
Sharps, due to their inherent ability to provide
a portal of entry, must be managed properly regardless of their contamination
status.
The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard also defines
regulated medical waste. This definition applies to waste within a
facility. It is more comprehensive that the state’s SWFHCRF definition.
This is because "universal precautions" must be observed
in facilities where actual physical contact with potentially infectious
materials can be expected to occur on a regular basis.
*Texas regulations are based on the idea that waste
properly packaged and labeled at the point of generation reduces the
amount of waste that needs to be handled by special means. Compliance
with OSHA and Texas regulations can be achieved by simply re-evaluating
what waste goes where at the point of generation.
*OSHA only requires a waste container marked with
the BIOHAZARD symbol and word, although "red bags" may be
substituted. If these bags are used to collect medical waste that is
not SWFHCRF, their identity should be changed so
waste handlers will not be alarmed. Designation of
the BIOHAZARD container should be documented in the Exposure Control
Plan. The specified receptacle may then be lined with a regular trash
bag, which may be disposed of as routine municipal solid waste if it
does not contain any items of SWFHCRF.
Managing Regulated Medical
Waste
Texas has designed comprehensive regulations that
track medical waste from generation to disposal.
Treatment and Disposal of Treated Medical Waste
The following treatment and disposition methods for
special waste from health care-related facilities are approved by the
Texas Board of Health (board) for the waste specified. Where a special
waste from a health care-related facility is also subject to the sections
in Chapter 289 of this title (relating to Radiation Control), the sections
in Chapter 289 shall prevail over the sections in this undesignated
head. Disposal of special waste from health care-related facilities
in sanitary landfills or otherwise is under the jurisdiction of the
Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and is governed by its
rules found in Title 30, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 330.
1. Animal waste. Animal waste
shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and
disposal.
(I) Carcasses of animals intentionally exposed
to pathogens shall be subjected to one of the following methods
of treatment and disposal:
i. steam disinfection followed by deposition in
a sanitary landfill;
ii. incineration followed by deposition of the
residue in a sanitary landfill;
iii. carcasses of animals intentionally exposed
to pathogens which are not contagious may be buried on site under
the supervision of a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary
medicine in the State of Texas;
iv. carcasses of animals intentionally exposed
to pathogens which are not contagious may be sent to a rendering
plant;
v. moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
vi. chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by
deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
vii. an approved alternate treatment process followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill.
(II) Body parts of animals intentionally exposed to
pathogens shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment
and disposal:
i. steam disinfection followed by deposition in
a sanitary landfill;
ii. steam disinfection followed by grinding and
discharging into a sanitary sewer system;
iii. incineration followed by deposition of the
residue in a sanitary landfill;
iv. body parts of animals intentionally exposed
to pathogens which are not contagious may be buried on site under
the supervision of a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary
medicine in the State of Texas;
v. moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
vi. chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by
deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
vii. an approved alternate treatment process followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill.
(III) Bulk whole blood, serum, plasma, and/or other
blood components from animals intentionally exposed to pathogens shall
be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
i. steam disinfection followed by deposition in
a sanitary landfill;
ii. steam disinfection followed by grinding and
discharging into a sanitary sewer system;
iii. incineration followed by deposition of the
residue in a sanitary landfill;
iv. thermal inactivation followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
v. thermal inactivation followed by grinding and
discharging into a sanitary sewer system;
vi. chemical disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
vii. chemical disinfection followed by grinding
and discharging into a sanitary sewer system;
viii. bulk blood, serum, plasma, and/or other blood
components of animals intentionally exposed to pathogens which are
not contagious may be buried on site under the supervision of a veterinarian
licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Texas;
ix. moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
x. chlorine disinfection/maceration followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
xi. an approved alternate treatment process followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill.
(IV) Bedding of animals intentionally exposed to pathogens
shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
i. steam disinfection followed by deposition in
a sanitary landfill;
ii. incineration followed by deposition of the
residue in a sanitary landfill;
iii. bedding of animals intentionally exposed to
pathogens which are not contagious may be buried on site under the
supervision of a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine
in the State of Texas;
iv. moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
v. chlorine disinfection/maceration followed by
deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
vi. an approved alternate treatment process followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill.
2. Bulk human blood, bulk human blood products, and
bulk human body fluids. Bulk human blood, blood products, and body fluids
shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
(I) discharging into a sanitary sewer system;
(II) steam disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
(III) incineration followed by deposition of the
residue in a sanitary landfill;
(IV) chemical disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
(V) chemical disinfection followed by grinding
and flushing into a sanitary sewer system;
(VI) thermal inactivation, followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
(VII) thermal inactivation, followed by grinding
and discharging into a sanitary sewer system;
(VIII) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
(IX) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
(X) an approved alternate treatment process followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill.
3. Microbiological waste. Microbiological waste shall
be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal.
(I) Discarded cultures and stocks of infectious
agents and associated biologicals shall be subjected to one of the
following methods of treatment and disposal:
i. steam disinfection followed by deposition in
a sanitary landfill;
ii. incineration followed by deposition of the
residue in a sanitary landfill;
iii. thermal inactivation followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
iv. chemical disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
v. moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
vi. chlorine disinfection/maceration followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
vii. an approved alternate treatment
process followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.
(II) Discarded cultures of specimens from medical,
pathological, pharmaceutical, research, clinical, commercial, industrial
and veterinary laboratories shall be subjected to one of the following
methods of treatment and disposal:
i. steam disinfection followed by deposition in
a sanitary landfill;
ii. incineration followed by deposition of the
residue in a sanitary landfill;
iii. thermal inactivation followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
iv. chemical disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
v. moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
vi. chlorine disinfection/maceration followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
vii. an approved alternate treatment process followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill.
(III) Discarded live and attenuated vaccines, but
excluding the empty containers thereof, shall be subjected to one
of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
i. steam disinfection followed by deposition in
a sanitary landfill;
ii. incineration followed by deposition of the
residue in a sanitary landfill;
iii. thermal inactivation followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
iv. chemical disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
v. moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
vi. chlorine disinfection/maceration followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
vii. an approved alternate treatment process followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill.
(IV) Discarded disposable culture dishes shall
be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal.
i. All discarded, unused disposable culture dishes
shall be disposed of in accordance with Title 30, Texas Administrative
Code, Chapter 330.
ii. Discarded, used disposable culture dishes shall
be subjected to the following methods of treatment and disposal:
4. steam disinfection followed by deposition in a
sanitary landfill;
5. (II) incineration followed by deposition of the
residue in a sanitary landfill;
6. (III) thermal inactivation followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
7. (IV) chemical disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
8. (V) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
9. (VI) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
10. (VII) an approved alternate treatment process
followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.
(I) Discarded disposable devices used to transfer,
inoculate or mix cultures shall be subjected to one of the following
methods of treatment and disposal:
i. steam disinfection followed by deposition in
a sanitary landfill;
ii. incineration followed by deposition of the
residue in a sanitary landfill;
iii. thermal inactivation followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
iv. chemical disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
v. moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
vi. chlorine disinfection/maceration followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
vii. an approved alternate treatment process
followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.
11. Pathological waste. Pathological waste shall be
subjected to one of the following methods of treatment and disposal.
(I) Human materials removed during surgery, labor
and delivery, autopsy, embalming, or biopsy shall be subjected to
one of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
i. body parts:
(III) incineration followed by deposition of the
residue in a sanitary landfill;
(IV) steam disinfection followed by interment;
(V) moist heat disinfection, provided that the
grinding/shredding renders the item as unrecognizable, followed by
deposition in a sanitary landfill;
(VI) chlorine disinfection/maceration, provided
that the grinding/shredding renders the item as unrecognizable, followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
(VII) an approved alternate treatment process,
provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable, followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
i. tissues or fetuses:
12. incineration followed by deposition of the residue
in a sanitary landfill;
13. (II) grinding and discharging to a sanitary sewer
system;
15. (IV) steam disinfection followed by interment;
16. (V) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
17. (VI) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
18. (VII) an approved alternate treatment process,
provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable, followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
i. organs:
(II) incineration followed by deposition of the
residue in a sanitary landfill;
(III) grinding and discharging to a sanitary sewer
system;
(V) steam disinfection followed by interment;
(VI) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
(VII) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
(VIII) an approved alternate treatment process,
provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable, followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
i. bulk human blood and bulk human body fluids
removed during surgery, labor and delivery, autopsy, embalming, or
biopsy:
19. discharging into a sanitary sewer system;
20. (II) steam disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
21. (III) incineration followed by deposition of
the residue in a sanitary landfill;
22. (IV) thermal inactivation followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
23. (V) thermal inactivation followed by grinding
and discharging into a sanitary sewer system;
24. (VI) chemical disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
25. (VII) chemical disinfection followed by grinding
and discharging into a sanitary sewer system;
26. (VIII) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
27. (IX) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or (X) an approved alternate
treatment process, provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable,
followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.
(I) The products of spontaneous or induced human
abortion shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment
and disposal:
i. body parts, tissues, or organs regardless of
the period of gestation:
(II) grinding and discharging to a sanitary sewer
system;
(III) incineration followed by deposition of the
residue in a sanitary landfill;
(IV) steam disinfection followed by interment;
(VI) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
(VII) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
(VIII) an approved alternate treatment process,
provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable, followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
i. blood and body fluids:
28. discharging into a sanitary sewer system;
29. (II) steam disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
30. (III) incineration followed by deposition of
the residue in a sanitary landfill;
31. (IV) thermal inactivation followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
32. (V) thermal inactivation followed by grinding
and discharging into a sanitary sewer system;
33. (VI) chemical disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
34. (VII) chemical disinfection followed by grinding
and discharging into a sanitary sewer system;
35. (VIII) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
36. (IX) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
37. (X) an approved alternate treatment process,
provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable, followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill.
(I) Discarded laboratory specimens of blood and/or
tissues shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment
and disposal:
i. grinding and discharging into a sanitary sewer
system;
ii. steam disinfection followed by deposition in
a sanitary landfill;
iii. steam disinfection followed by grinding and
discharging into a sanitary sewer system;
iv. incineration followed by deposition of the
residue in a sanitary landfill;
v. moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
vi. chlorine disinfection/maceration followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
vii. an approved alternate treatment process, provided
that the process renders the item as unrecognizable, followed by
deposition in a sanitary landfill.
(II) Anatomical remains shall be subjected to one
of the following methods of treatment and disposal:
i. interment;
ii. incineration followed by interment; or
iii. steam disinfection followed by interment.
38. Sharps.
(I) All discarded unused sharps shall be disposed
of in accordance with Title 30, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter
330.
(II) Contaminated sharps shall be subjected to
one of the following methods of treatment and disposal.
i. Hypodermic needles, and hypodermic syringes
with attached needles, shall be subjected to one of the following
methods of treatment and disposal:
(III) chemical disinfection, and if the item can
cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof
container followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
(IV) steam disinfection, and if the item can cause
puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant container followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
(V) incineration, and if the item can cause puncture
wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant container followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
(VI) encapsulation in a matrix which will solidify
and significantly reduce the possibility of puncture wounds followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
(VII) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
(VIII) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
(IX) an approved alternate treatment process, provided
that the process renders the item as unrecognizable and can no longer
cause puncture wounds, followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill.
i. Razor blades, disposable razors, and disposable
scissors used in surgery, labor and delivery, or other medical procedures;
and scalpel blades shall be subjected to one of the following methods
of treatment and disposal:
39. chemical disinfection, and if the item can cause
puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container
followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
40. (II) steam disinfection, and if the item can
cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant container
followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
41. (III) incineration, and if item can cause puncture
wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant container followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
42. (IV) encapsulation in a matrix which will solidify
and significantly reduce the possibility of puncture wounds followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
43. (V) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
44. (VI) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
45. (VII) an approved alternate treatment process,
provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable and can
no longer cause puncture wounds, followed by deposition in a sanitary
landfill.
i. Intravenous stylets and rigid introducers (e.g.,
J wires) shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment
and disposal:
(II) chemical disinfection, and if the item can
cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof
container followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
(III) steam disinfection, and if the item can cause
puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container
followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
(IV) incineration, and if the item can cause puncture
wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
(V) encapsulation in a matrix which will solidify
and significantly reduce the possibility of puncture wounds, followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
(VI) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
(VII) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
(VIII) an approved alternate treatment process,
provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable and
can no longer cause puncture wounds, followed by deposition in a
sanitary landfill.
i. Glass pasteur pipettes, glass pipettes, specimen
tubes, blood culture bottles, and microscope slides, and broken glass
from laboratories shall be subjected to one of the following methods
of treatment and disposal:
46. chemical disinfection, and if the item can cause
puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container
followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
47. (II) steam disinfection, and if the item can
cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant container
followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
48. (III) incineration, and if the item can cause
puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant container followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
49. (IV) encapsulation in a matrix which will solidify
and significantly reduce the possibility of puncture wounds followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
50. (V) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
51. (VI) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
52. (VII) an approved alternate treatment process,
provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable and can
no longer cause puncture wounds, followed by deposition in a sanitary
landfill.
i. Tattoo needles, acupuncture needles, and electrolysis
needles shall be subjected to one of the following methods of treatment
and disposal:
(II) chemical disinfection, and if the item can
cause puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof
container followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
(III) steam disinfection, and if the item can cause
puncture wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container
followed by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
(IV) incineration, and if the item can cause puncture
wounds, placement in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
(V) encapsulation in a matrix which will solidify
and significantly reduce the possibility of puncture wounds, followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill;
(VI) moist heat disinfection followed by deposition
in a sanitary landfill;
(VII) chlorine disinfection/maceration followed
by deposition in a sanitary landfill; or
(VIII) an approved alternate treatment process,
provided that the process renders the item as unrecognizable and
can no longer cause puncture wounds, followed by deposition in a
sanitary landfill.
Specific categories of SWFHCRF may be treated by
specific methods. Chlorine disinfection/maceration and moist heat disinfection
require shredding of the waste during or shortly after treatment.
Other parameters including such things as time, temperature
and pressure requirements are specified for other methods.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires
registration of chemical disinfectants (except for household bleach
or 70 percent isopropyl alcohol). EPA also requires that liquid disinfectants
be drained from treated wastes.
Approval from the Office of Air Quality of the Texas
Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) is required for incineration
processes.
Any generator that produces
more than 50 pounds per calendar month of SWFHCRF and that treats
all or part of the wastes on-site is required to perform routine
performance monitoring based on the volume of SWFHCRF generated monthly
and the type of treatment process utilized.
On-Site vs. Off-Site Treatment
"On-site" means a facility consisting of
contiguous structures or contiguous properties, or a combination of
structures operated by a single entity operating under a license issued
by the Texas Department of Health.
A frequently encountered situation involves the waste
disposal activities of a hospital that owns a separate building containing
physicians’ offices. Facilities that meet certain criteria may be able
to handle such waste as their own "on-site generated" waste.
If the hospital accepts and processes waste that was generated off-site,
then that hospital then takes on the role of a commercial processor
and must be permitted as a commercial facility.
On-Site Treatment
Records must be kept for waste treated on-site to
include the date, amount of waste, method of treatment, name and initials
of the person performing treatment, and for generators of more than
50 pounds per month, a written procedure for the operation and testing
of any equipment or chemicals used. Records must be maintained for
three years and must be available for review on request.
Treated wastes may be disposed of as routine municipal
solid waste provided any markings identifying the waste as SWFHCRF
are covered with a color-coded disposable container or a label identifying
the waste as "treated." Recognizable human body parts, tissues,
fetuses, organs, and the products of spontaneous or induced abortions
must not be disposed of in a municipal solid waste landfill.
Sharps must be placed in containers designed for
their disposal. Treated or unused sharps, if not encapsulated, must
be segregated from the regular solid waste stream and transported without
compaction to the landfill. If the contents of a sharps container are
completely encased in an encapsulating matrix and can withstand an
applied pressure of 40 pounds per square inch, the sharps container
may be disposed of with routine municipal solid waste. Treated and/or
encapsulated sharps containers must be labeled as such.
Off-Site Treatment
Wastes to be transported off-site for treatment must
be packaged securely in a bag of specified strength requirements and
subsequently boxed in a rigid outer container also meeting specified
strength requirements. The outer container must be labeled twice in
English and twice in Spanish with the words "CAUTION, contains
medical waste that may be biohazardous."
Sharps must be placed in marked and puncture-resistant
containers designed for their disposal.
Ultimately, the generator's primary responsibility
whenever allowing untreated SWFHCRF to be transported off-site is to
determine that the waste is being released to a currently registered
transporter and to obtain a signed receipt for each shipment of regulated
waste.
Transport of Medical Waste
Transporters of untreated medical waste must comply
with applicable vehicle, financial assurance, registration, reporting,
and fee requirements.
Certain exemptions exist for generators who choose
to transport their own untreated medical waste:
-
Generators of less than 50 pounds per month may
transport their own waste to a registered medical waste
collection station, transfer station, storage facility, or processing
facility without meeting transporter requirements.
- Generators of more than 50 pounds per month may
still transport their own waste provided they meet all transporter
requirements except registration.
- Generators located contiguous to a permitted processing
facility may transport their own untreated waste without complying
with packaging requirements provided the waste is identified as "untreated" and
is not transported over a public roadway.
Transfer of shipments of untreated medical waste
must take place only at and on the premises of a permitted transfer
station, storage facility, or processing facility. In case of vehicle
malfunction or accident, the waste may be transferred to another vehicle,
and the TNRCC must be notified within five days in the case of vehicle
malfunction or one day in the case of an accident. Interstate transportation
requires the same conditions as for transporters operating within Texas,
except that only the vehicle requirements apply to transporters of
waste that neither originates nor terminates in Texas.
A licensed hospital may act as a medical waste collection
station, may be registered in counties of less than one million population,
and may accept waste only from generators of less than 50 pounds per
month that transport their own untreated waste.
Storage
All medical waste must be stored in a secure
manner and location that affords protection from theft, vandalism,
inadvertent human or animal exposure, rain, water, and wind. It must
be managed so it will not provide a breeding place or food for insects
or rodents and will not generate noxious odors.
A permit is required for the storage of medical waste
generated off-site except on the premises of a permitted processing
facility or medical waste collection station. Such waste must be maintained
at a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less if held for more
than 72 hours.
For registered transporters whose base of operations
is located more than 200 miles from a permitted processing facility,
untreated medical waste may be held up to one week without refrigeration.
Medical waste generated off-site and held for more than 14 days is
considered to be in storage, and authorization from TNRCC’s executive
director is required.
In addition to the state medical waste environmental
regulations there are some Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) rules that apply to medical/infectious waste. Texas is
one of 26 states covered entirely by the federal OSHA program. This
program is operated by the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration. OSHA rules (Occupational
Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Standards) impact various aspects
of medical/infectious waste, including management of sharps, requirements
for containers that hold or store medical/infectious waste, labeling
of medical/infectious waste bags/containers, and employee training.
Statutes, Regulations and
Guidelines
Texas
Administrative Code Title 30 Environmental Quality, Part 1 Chapter
330, Subchapter Y, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Municipal
Solid Waste Medical Waste Management
Contacts
Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality
More Information
TCEQ - Medical Waste Guidance
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