Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-17-4-.01

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 335-17-4-.01 - Storage Of Untreated Waste

Persons engaged in the storage of untreated medical waste shall comply with the following. Storage as used in this rule would begin after a shipping container is prepared for shipment to a storage or treatment facility.

(1) No person shall operate or maintain a facility for storage of untreated medical waste without a valid permit granted by the Department. Storage facilities that are an integral part of the generator's facility will not be required to obtain a permit.

(2) Storage facilities shall be fully enclosed.

(3) Designated storage facilities shall not be utilized for other purposes.

(4) Surfaces of storage facilities which may come into contact with medical waste shall be constructed of smooth, easily cleanable materials that are impervious to liquids.

(5) Storage facilities must be conspicuously identified with signs which contain either the phrase "Medical Waste," "Infectious Waste," "Biohazardous," or display the International Biological Hazard Symbol.

(6) Storage facilities must be adequately secured to prevent entry of unauthorized persons.

(7) Storage facilities must be operated in such a manner to minimize entry by rodents and vectors.

(8) The operation of storage facilities must minimize or prevent objectionable odors as determined by the Department from migrating off-site.

(9) If a container is damaged or leaking or improperly labeled, the storage facility may accept the container provided the damaged container is overpacked into another container or is properly labeled in accordance with the requirements of 335-17-3-.01(1).

(10) Persons manually handling untreated medical waste at the storage facility shall wear impermeable gloves and protective clothing to minimize exposure.

(11) Storage of untreated medical waste shall meet the following criteria:

(a) Storage of medical waste by the generator shall not exceed seven calendar days from the date initial storage begins unless waste is refrigerated at a temperature less than 45 degrees Fahrenheit. This requirement shall not apply to generators who generate less than 22 0 pounds per month of medical waste.

(b) Transportation of medical waste and subsequent storage prior to treatment shall be at temperatures less than 45 degrees Fahrenheit unless said transportation can be accomplished within in less than four hours.

(12) The permittee or his designee shall allow inspection of the storage facility by Department Personnel during normal working hours.

(13) The permittee shall maintain records as required by the Department for a period of three years. Records shall contain the following as minimum requirements:

(a) The name and location of any generator or transporter who utilize the storage facility.

1. Generators shall provide name and street address of business, name and telephone number of a contact person.

2. Transporters shall provide name and street address of business, name and telephone number of a contact person and list of any permits obtained for the transportation of untreated medical waste from a regulatory agency or.

(b) The quantity of medical waste stored from each generator or transporter per month. The quantity may be recorded in tons, pounds, cubic yards, cubic feet, or gallons.

(c) The date the waste was accepted from the generator or transporter for storage and the date it was removed from the storage facility.

(d) The name and telephone number of a contact person for the transporter removing the waste to another facility and any permits which have been issued to that transporter.

(e) The quantity of medical waste removed from the storage facility. The quantity may be recorded in tons, pounds, cubic yards, cubic feet, or gallons.

(14) The Permittee of a medical waste storage facility shall prepare a Management Plan for the medical waste handled and stored at their facility. Multiple locations covered by a single permit may be included in one overall plan if each facility is adequately addressed.

(a) The Management Plan must address to the extent the information is applicable to the storage facility:

1. The types of medical waste handled;

2. Storage procedures that will be followed;

3. Treatment facilities that will be utilized;

4. Steps that will be taken to minimize the exposure of employees to untreated medical waste;

5. Name of the individual responsible for the storage facility.

(b) The Management Plan must be kept at the permittee's principal place of business;

(c) The Management Plan must be made available to the Department upon request;

(d) The Management Plan must be updated as needed.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-17-4-.01

New Rule: Filed December 12, 2011; effective January 16, 2012.

Author: James L. Bryant

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 22-27-9, 22-27-12.