(a) Medical Waste Requirements. Every person subject to this Article shall comply with the following requirements to containerize or store medical waste:
(1) Medical waste shall be contained separately from other waste at the point of origin in the generating facility. Sharps containers may be placed in biohazard bags or in containers with biohazard bags.
(2) Biohazardous waste shall be contained in a red biohazard bag in accordance with this Section, conspicuously labeled with the words "Biohazardous Waste" or with the international biohazard symbol and the word "BIOHAZARD."
(3) Sharps waste shall be contained in a sharps container pursuant to Subsections 1510(b) and (c).
(b) Biohazardous Waste in Biohazard Bag. Every person subject to this Article shall comply with the following requirements to containerize biohazardous waste in a biohazard bag:
(1) The bags shall be tied to prevent leakage or expulsion of contents during all future storage, handling or transport.
(2) Biohazardous waste shall be bagged in accordance with Paragraph (a)(2) and placed for storage, handling, or transport in a rigid or disposable container. The container shall be leak resistant, have tight fitting covers, and be kept clean and in good repair. The container may be of any color and shall be labeled with the words "Biohazardous Waste," or with the international biohazard symbol and the word "BIOHAZARD," on the lid and on the sides so as to be visible from any lateral direction. Containers meeting the requirements specified in Section 66840 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations may also be used until the replacement of the containers is necessary or existing stock has been depleted.
(A) Biohazardous or sharps waste shall not be contained or stored above 0Centigrade (32Fahrenheit) for more than seven days at any on-site location without the written approval of the Director.
(B) Biohazardous or sharps waste may be stored at or below 0Centigrade (32 Fahrenheit) for up to 90 days at any on-site location; provided that any such storage shall not exceed 90 days without written permission of the Director.
(C) Biohazardous or sharps waste shall be stored off-site only as provided in Subsection 1506(a).
(D) If any on-site or off-site facility is unable to control the odor from its stored waste and the odor poses a public nuisance, the Director may require more frequent removal or take such other action as allowed by law.
(c) Sharps Waste. Every person subject to this Article shall comply with the following requirements to containerize sharps:
(1) All sharps waste shall be placed into a sharps container;
(2) Full sharps containers ready for disposal shall be taped or tightly lidded to preclude loss of contents;
(3) Sharps containers ready for disposal shall not be stored for more than seven days without the written approval of the Director;
(4) Sharps containers shall be labeled with the words "sharps waste" or with the international biohazard symbol and the word "BIOHAZARD."
(d) Storage in Common Storage Facility. Any small quantity generator who has properly containerized the medical waste according to the requirements of this Section, and is otherwise in compliance with the registration and notification requirements of this Article may store the waste in a permitted common storage facility.
(e) Rigid Containers for Waste; Washing and Decontamination. Every person subject to this Article shall thoroughly wash and decontaminate reusable rigid containers for medical waste by a method approved by the Director each time they are emptied, unless the surfaces of the containers have been completely protected from contamination by disposable liners, bags, or other devices removed with the waste. These containers shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary manner. Approved methods of decontamination include, but are not limited to, agitation to remove visible soil combined with one of the following procedures:
(1) Exposure to hot water of at least 82° Centigrade (180° Fahrenheit) for a minimum of 15 seconds.
(2) Exposure to chemical sanitizer by rinsing with, or immersion in, one of the following for a minimum of three minutes:
(A) Hypochlorite solution (500 ppm available chlorine);
(B) Phenolic solution (500 ppm active agent);
(C) Iodoform solution (100 available iodine);
(D) Quaternary ammonium solution (400 ppm active agent).
(f) Decontamination of Leaks or Spills. Any leak or spill of a medical waste by a medical waste generator, medical waste treatment facility, common storage facility, or any person subject to this Article shall be decontaminated by procedures adopted by the Director, as approved by the department.
(g) Use of Containers for Solid Waste. No person subject to the requirements of this Article shall use, allow or make available reusable pails, drums, dumpsters, or bins used for medical waste for the containment of solid waste, or for other purposes, except after being decontaminated by the procedures specified in Subsections (e) and (f) of this Section, and removal of all medical waste labels.
(h) Security of Storage Areas. Any enclosure or designated accumulation area used for the storage of medical waste containers, including common storage facilities, shall be secured so as to deny access to unauthorized persons and shall be marked with warning signs on, or adjacent to, the exterior of entry doors, gates, or lids. The storage area may be secured by use of locks on entry doors, gates, or receptacle lids.
(1) The wording of warning signs shall be in English, "CAUTION-BIOHAZARDOUS WASTE STORAGE AREA-UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS KEEP OUT," and in Spanish, "CUIDADO-ZONA DE RESIDUOS-BIOLOGICOS PELIGROSOS-PROHIBIDA LA ENTRADA A PERSONAS NO AUTORIZADAS," or in another language, in addition to English, determined to be appropriate by the infection control staff, the person responsible for medical waste management or the Director. Warning signs shall be readily legible during daylight from a distance of at least 25 feet.
(2) Any enclosure or designated accumulation area shall provide medical waste protection from animals and natural elements and shall not provide a breeding place or a food source for insects or rodents.
(i) Trash Chutes. No person shall use a trash chute to transfer medical waste.
(j) Compacters or Grinders. Compacters or grinders shall not be used to process medical waste until after the waste has been treated pursuant to Section 1511 and rendered solid waste, unless the grinding or compacting is an integral part of the treatment method and allowed by the facility permit. Medical waste in bags or other disposable containers shall not be subject to compaction by any compacting device and shall not be placed for storage or transport in a portable or mobile trash compactor.
(Added by Ord. 375-92, App. 12/23/92)