Idaho
Medical
Waste
Managing Regulated Medical Waste
Idaho does not have state regulations for the management of
medical waste.
Applicable facilities in Idaho have to
comply with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s
(OSHA) Occupational
Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Standard This standard
is designed to protect approximately 5.6 million workers in the
healthcare and related occupations from the risk of exposure
to bloodborne pathogens, such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV) and the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV).
The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard has
numerous requirements, including the development of an Exposure
Control Plan. The Standard
also includes rules specific to certain types of wastes generated
at healthcare facilities, termed “regulated waste.” Regulated
waste includes blood and items contaminated with blood or other
potentially infectious materials (OPIM).
Disposal of Untreated Waste in Idaho Landfills
Draft
guidance is available that discusses the prohibition of
disposing of untreated medical waste in certain types of landfills.
OSHA Regulations
HERC OSHA State Page
There are some Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) rules that apply to medical/infectious
waste. Idaho
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. These requirements
can be found in the HERC section entitled OSHA
Standards for Regulated Waste
Statutes, Regulations and Guidelines
OSHA
Bloodborne Pathogen Standards
Contacts
Idaho DEQ Waste Management
and Remediation Division
Idaho Department
of Health and Welfare
More Information
Idaho Draft
Guidance for Tier I and Tier II Non-Municipal Solid Waste Landfills
Idaho’s
Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) Program
|
