Management of Regulated Orange County Medical Waste Disposal

The Orange County Medical Waste Disposal defines guidelines and procedures to manage all RMW, including proper packaging storage, labeling, transportation, transfer, and treatment and disposal.

Packaging and Labeling Requirements

Before treatment, storage, or transport, all medical waste has to be wrapped and labeled according to of regulations of the RMW Management Regulations. The appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn while packaging RMW.

Orange County Medical Waste Disposal

Regulated Orange County Medical Waste Disposal should be stored in containers that meet the specifications of the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard. Biohazard bags in red are used to pack all RMW-accepted sharps. Sharps (including sharps for veterinary use) like needles, syringes containing connected needles, or suture needles and scalpels. These should be placed directly in sharps containers that are puncture-resistant.

Proper sealing:

All RMW packaging should be tightly sealed to avoid spills and leaks during handling. It is also required to be marked. The label must be secured to the package or printed on the packaging. The brand could be a tag that is securely attached to the packaging. The indiscriminate ink should use to fill in the details on the label.

The Label, As Well As The Information on The Title, Should Be Easily Readable. The Following Information Must Provide:

1. Address, name, and business phone code of the generator.
2. “Regulated Medical Waste” in large print.
3. The Biological Hazard Symbol.

Prior to the transportation of regulated medical waste by Orange County Medical Waste Disposal, the waste was packaged according to the requirements or according to an exemption that has been approved by the United States Department of Transportation.

Generator Storage Requirements For Facilities That Generate Less Than 100 Gallons of RMW Per Week:

RMW Management Regulations Are Summarized Below:

1. RMW should be correctly packed, labeled, and sealed so that waste materials will not leak.
2. Personal protection equipment (PPE) is required when packing RMW.
3. A maximum of 200 gallons of total RMW can be stored on-site at any time.
4. All RMW should be handled securely and safely to ensure that it does not be sprayed on or in contact with people or other workers.
5. Not more than 25 percent of RMW can be produced from off-site sources.
6. RMW might not be treated on-site.
7. Documents for RMW disposal are suggested (but not mandatory) to be kept.
8. The generator must meet the rules for storage temporarily of RMW at loading docks or in loading zones (see the section further below).

Generator Storage Requirements For Facilities That Generate 100 Gallons or More RMW Per Week:

RMW Management Regulations Are Summarized Below:

1. RMW should be appropriately packed, labeled, and sealed to ensure that waste materials will not be leaking.
2. RMW must keep in a designated area for storage on surfaces or floors that are free of dirt and inaccessible for liquids (i.e., there are no cracks, carpets, or gaps).
3. RMW storage areas should have access control, including locked doors to restrict access to only those responsible for managing RMW.
4. RMW can keep for up seven days. 7 days with no refrigeration and for 15 days maximum. The RMW outer packaging must note the date for storage starts.
5. Drains on floors in storage areas for RMW must direct to the sanitary sewer, and ventilation should discharge to reduce the risk of exposure for humans in the discharge. RMW should be kept in a covered area and protected from elements, and preferably on an unarmed floor that will be able to contain spills and leaks.
6. Recycling RMW container If utilized, must be clean using detergent or a general purpose disinfectant.
7. Proper PPE is required when handling RMW containers.
8. A maximum of 25% of the RMW can generate from off-site sources.
9. RMW might not treat on-site.
10. Records are required to keep off every RMW received from outside the facility and the generator, as well as the amount, storage, and date of receipt. Other required records include a list of contact information for the committee on infection control members, the RMW incident log, a facility RMW policy and procedure, and an RMW training log. The records must keep for at least three years.
11. The generator has to meet the rules for storage temporarily of RMW on loading docks or in loading zones.

Temporary Storage of RMW on Loading Docks or in Loading Areas:

RMW Management Regulations Are Summarized Below:

1. The generator must meet the requirements for storage based on volume in the above sections concerning the importance of RMW generated each week.
2. RMW must be packed and labeled before transport as per US DOT regulations.
3. RMW cannot be kept for longer than 24 hours at the docks or in the area for loading.
4. Not more than 25 percent of RMW can generate from off-site sources.
5. RMW storage spaces must be secure from unauthorized access (locked, gated, or gated).
6. RMW packaging should protect from damage and elements.
7. Wearing appropriate PPE is required while taking RMW into vehicles to be transported.