Kentucky

Medical/Infectious Waste

Environmental Regulations

Kentucky does not have specific environmental regulations applicable to medical/infectious wastes generated at healthcare facilities except for air quality regulations pertaining to medical waste incineration. The Division for Air Quality requires that all medical waste incinerators obtain a special permit prior to conducting medical waste incineration.

HealthCare Regulations

Kentucky hospital regulations cover certain aspects of medical waste, as follows:

• “A sharp waste container shall be incinerated on or off site, or shall be rendered nonhazardous.” (Hospital Operations and Services Regulation 902 KAR 20:016 Section 3(10) (g) 3).

• “The containers of sharp wastes shall either be incinerated on or off site, or be rendered nonhazardous by a technology of equal or superior efficacy, which is approved by both the Cabinet for Human Resources and the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet.” Nursing Facility Operations and Services Regulation 902 KAR 20:300 Section 6 (7) (b) 4 c.

OSHA Regulations

There are some Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules that apply to medical/infectious waste. Kentucky is one of 21 states operating an approved occupational safety and health program. This program is operated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Department of Employment. 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.

More Information

In this section, you will find links to points of contacts at the Kentucky agencies responsible for regulating solid waste from healthcare facilities.

Contacts

KY Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Branch

A division contact of the Local Assistance group can answer questions and forward information about proper disposal of medical waste.

For questions about Health and Family Services regulations, contact the cabinet’s Office of Inspector General (502-564-2800).

Occupational safety and health standards require procedures to protect healthcare and medical workers. Inquiries about these regulations should be made to the Kentucky Department of Labor at 502-564-3070.

The Division for Air Quality requires that all medical waste incinerators obtain a special permit prior to conducting medical waste incineration. The Division for Air Quality can be reached at 502-573-3382.

Statutes, Regulations and Guidelines

KRS Chapter 224, Environmental Protection of the Kentucky Revised Statutes contains the core set of environmental protection statutes for Kentucky. Subchapter 43 covers solid waste.

Kentucky Department of Labor Regulations

Additional Resources

HERC OSHA page for Kentucky

HERC Hazardous Waste page for Kentucky