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


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.


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.


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.


 
Helpful Links:  
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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