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Messages Forum>
Medical Waste Pick Up
Vivian Fernandez
Guest
Jun 07, 2009
6:04 PM
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Is there any OSHA regulation for medical waste pick up? As a remote facility, are we allowed to dispose off our medical wastes by mail?
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thomaskappil
18 posts
Jun 08, 2009
9:34 AM
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There are no OSHA guidelines for medical waste pick up by medical waste companies. Medical waste transporters are regulated by state environmental agencies. They should possess state medical waste transporting permits/licenses to transport. Out of state transporters must possess licenses from each state they operate. They are also mandated to carry insurance-liability and pollution insurance for each vehicle for upto a million dollars minimum.
It is important, as generators of medical wastes, dental and healthcare facilities examine permit and insurance documents before they contract the medical waste pick up to these transporters. This exercise is to eliminate any potential liability arising out of improper disposal by illegal transporters. Clinics must request transporters to issue manifests at the time of pick up and after destruction of wastes. OSHA may not examine these documents, since it's not within their jurisdiction once the wastes leave the facility. It certainly shows commitment that the facility disposes its medical wastes timely and properly.
The second part of the question is as a remote facility if you are allowed to dispose off your wastes by mail. Yes, you are allowed by both federal and state environmental regulators to dispose off your wastes by mail. Please ensure the medical waste company is licensed/permitted to accept wastes by mail. The company, for a fee, will supply the necessary containers and mail-in package authorized for use by the United States Postal Service. You must insist on destruction certificates of your wastes sent to you in the form of manifests once the wastes have been destroyed. If you have not received it after a resonable period of time, please call the company and request for the destruction certificates.
Last Edited on 3-Jul-2009 6:31 PM
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thomaskappil
19 posts
Jun 11, 2009
12:13 AM
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Although OSHA does not stipulate any guidelines for medical waste pick up, OSHA according to para d)(4)(iii)(B)of the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard states that regulated waste shall be placed in containers which are:
(i) Closable;
(ii) Constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage of fluids during handling, storage, transport or shipping;
(iii) Labeled or color-coded in accordance with paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this standard; and
(iv) Closed prior to removal to prevent spillage or protrusion of contents during handling, storage, transport, or shipping.
OSHA's bloodborne pathogen standard underscores the importance of healthcare worker's protection from bloodbone pathogens. Labeling the waste container with color-coded biohazard symbol ensures high degree of safety for healthcare employees. Closable containers ensure that wastes are not spilled during storage and transport. Medical waste collection, transportation and disposal are regulated by Department of Transportation and state environmental agencies. These are two powerful agencies that closely monitor the operations of medical waste transporters. DOT and environmental agencies are licensed to inspect the transporters to find out how, where and when the wastes have been disposed.
Last Edited on 3-Jul-2009 6:43 PM
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