Kansas

Medical

Services Waste

of Medical Services Waste

Medical services wastes are those solid waste

materials which are potentially capable of causing disease or

injury and which are generated in connection with human or animal

care through inpatient and outpatient services. Medical services

waste shall not include any solid waste that has been classified

as a hazardous waste, or that is radioactive treatment material.

Medical Services Waste

All medical services

waste shall be segregated from other solid wastes at the point

of origin.

All medical services

waste shall be stored in a manner and in a container that will prevent the transmission

of disease or the causing of injury. Hypodermic needles and syringes,

scalpel blades, suture needles, or other sharp objects shall be

stored only in a rigid, puncture-resistant container that has

been closed to prevent the escape of any material, including liquids

or aerosols. All reusable containers used to store infectious

waste shall be cleaned and disinfected before each use.

The

medical services waste must be placed in containers that are closable,

constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage of fluids,

and closed prior to removal. The containers must be labeled or

color-coded in accordance with the federal Bloodborne

Pathogens requirements. The labels must have the BIOHAZARD legend. Red bags or red containers may be substituted for labels.

Medical services

wastes shall be collected at least daily from the point of origin

for transport to a storage or disposal area or a processing facility.

Personnel shall take precautions to prevent accidental contact

with the waste during transfer.

All medical services

wastes transported off-site shall be transported in a manner that

will prevent the spread of disease or the causing of injury to

persons.

The waste transporter

or disposal firm shall be notified of the types of waste.

Containers

of medical services waste transported off-site shall be labeled

or color-coded in accordance with the federal Bloodborne

Pathogens requirements.

In all processing

of medical services waste, dispersal of aerosols and liquids shall be prevented

through the use of proper coverings, seals, and ventilation. Personnel

shall be protected against contact with the waste through the

use of protective clothing and equipment. Medical services waste

that has been processed may be combined with other solid waste.

Where feasible, all medical services wastes shall be processed

before transportation off-site by using either of the following

methods:

Sterilizing infectious wastes by autoclaving or chemical treatment,
to destroy the disease/transmission potential; or

Grinding, melting, or pulverizing sharp objects to destroy
their injury producing potential.

If the potential

to cause disease or injury is removed, then the waste can be mixed

with general solid waste and transported to a Municipal Solid

Waste Landfill (MSWLF). If the medical waste is not processed:

The facility may obtain a Special Waste Disposal Authorization
and transport the medical waste separately to a MSWLF; or

The facility may contract with a medical waste company for
transportation and disposal of the medical waste to a MSWLF

(with SWDA) or to a permitted medical waste processing facility.

Medical services

waste shall be disposed of in a manner that minimizes the risk

to health, safety, or the environment. The following shall be

considered acceptable disposal methods:

Discharge of liquids to a sanitary sewer that is connected
to a secondary sewage treatment plant;

Incineration of combustible solids, followed by disposal of
the ash in a sanitary landfill;

Regulations

addition to the state medical waste environmental regulations

there are some Occupational Safety and Health Administration

(OSHA)

rules that apply to medical/infectious waste. Kansas 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

Regulations and Guidelines

Administrative Regulations, Article 29 - Solid Waste Management

Department of Health and Environment, Bureau of Waste Management

Department of Health and Environment, Bureau of Air and Radiation

Services Waste Guidance Document