N.Y. Public Health Law § 1389-cc: Storage and containment of regulated medical waste

§ 1389-cc. Storage and containment of regulated medical waste. 1.

Containment of regulated medical waste shall be in a manner and location

which affords protection from the environment and limits exposure to the

public.

2. Regulated medical waste shall be separated from other waste as soon

as practicable in the generator's facility.

3. Unless otherwise approved by the department, regulated medical

waste shall be contained at the producing facility only for such periods

and under such conditions pursuant to rules and regulations adopted in

furtherance of this title.

4. Containment of regulated medical waste shall be separate from other

wastes. Containers used for the containment of regulated medical waste

shall be marked prominently on the containers with the universal warning

sign or the word "biohazard".

5. Regulated medical waste, except for discarded sharps, shall be

contained in bags which are impervious to moisture and have a strength

sufficient to resist ripping, tearing or bursting under normal

conditions of usage and of handling. The bags shall be secured so as to

prevent leakage during storage, handling or transport. All bags used for

containment and disposal of regulated medical wastes shall be red in

color.

6. All discarded sharps shall be contained for disposal in leakproof,

rigid, puncture-resistant containers which are secured to preclude loss

of the contents. Such containers shall be red in color or shall be

conspicuously labeled with the word "infectious" or the words "regulated

medical waste".

7. Before regulated medical waste is transported from the generating

facility, regulated medical waste contained in disposable containers

shall be placed for storage or handling in disposable or reusable pails,

cartons, drums, dumpsters or portable bins. The containment system shall

be leakproof, have tight-fitting covers and be kept clean and in good

repair. The containers may be of any color and shall be conspicuously

labeled with the word "infectious" or the words "regulated medical

waste".

8. Reusable containers for regulated medical waste shall be thoroughly

washed and decontaminated each time they are emptied unless the surfaces

of the containers have been completely protected from contamination by

disposable liners, bags or other devices removed with the waste.

9. Reusable pails, drums, dumpsters or bins used for containment of

regulated medical waste shall not be used for containment of waste to be

disposed of as other wastes or for other purposes except after being

decontaminated.

10. Trash chutes shall not be used to transfer regulated medical waste

between locations where it is contained.