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Do I need monthly
regulated medical waste pickup?
Any business that generates waste that may have been in contact
with blood, blood products, bodily fluids, cultures or stocks of
infectious agents should dispose of their waste every 30 days in
accordance with the Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 64E-16.
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/biomedical/pdfs/64E16.pdf
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My business only generates sharps - how do I maintain
compliance?
Under Florida State Statute, sharps don't have to be disposed
until the containers are three quarters of the way full or when
they
reach the fill line. (Provided that no absorbent material or
items are placed within the Sharps container i.e. gauze, cork
or alcohol
preps). Under OSHA•CPL 02-02-069/CPL2-2-.69 Enforcement
Procedures for the Occupational Exposure to Blood borne Pathogens
Universal
precautions are the standard of care. Your place of business, must
dispose of gloves or any other disposable items
into a regulated bio-waste box for removal every thirty days.
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If
I'm classified as "exempt" by
the D.O.H., does that mean that I don't have to segregate my
waste?
No, under the "exempt status," the generator has given
proof to the D.O.H. that they don't generate more than 25lbs.
of regulated medical waste per month. Exempt status affords your
business
a savings of $55 annually for a period of three years. This doesn't
signify that your waste can be co-mingled, nor that you don't
need to dispose of your medical waste every 30 days.
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Under the definition of the state law, I don't generate
any saturated material. Can I place my waste in the regular trash?
The D.O.H. definition of saturation has created a great deal of
speculation as to which absorbent materials are considered regulated
medical waste versus ordinary trash. As per Edith Coulter, Director
of State of Florida Department of Health, The intention of the
wording was to signify the following:
any absorbent material which could have a liquid expressed from
it or would leave an impression on an impervious surface is to
be considered “saturated”.
The generator of improperly discarded regulated medical waste will be held liable
for the contamination of ordinary trash. Thus, constituting a fine of up to $2,500
per/day until remediation is completed. In addition, supplementary costs for
the decontamination of a small commercial dumpster can exceed $4,000. Think of
your Biomedical waste operating plan and transporter as an insurance policy.
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| Helpful Links: |
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Florida Department of Health Regulations 64E-16
CLICK
HERE http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/biomedical/pdfs/64E16.pdf
Application for Biomedical Waste Generator Permit/Exemption
CLICK
HERE DH4089 (12kb PDF)
OSHA Blood Borne Pathogens and Needlestick Preventon
CLICK HERE http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/
DOT REGULATIONS
CLICK HERE http://www.myregs.com/dotrspa/
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