Or. Admin. R. 333-056-0030

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 9, September 1, 2024

Section 333-056-0030 - Infectious Waste Treatment

(1) Pathological wastes shall be treated by incineration in an incinerator that provides complete combustion of waste to carbonized or mineralized ash. However, if the Department of Environmental Quality determines that incineration is not reasonably available within a wasteshed, pathological wastes may be disposed of in the same manner provided for cultures and stocks.

(2) Cultures, stocks, sharps and biological wastes must be treated using one of the following methods, as delineated in subsections (2)(a), (b) and (c) of this rule:

(a) Treated via incineration. If incineration is utilized, it shall be done in compliance with all applicable rules established by the Environmental Quality Commission;

(b) Sterilization with saturated steam in a pressurized vessel. If this method is employed, a vessel dedicated to infectious waste treatment must be utilized. Operating procedures which must be developed and implemented shall include at least the following:

(A) Adoption of standard written operating procedures for each steam sterilizer including time, temperature, pressure, type of waste, type of container(s), type of closure on container(s), pattern of loading, and maximum load quantity. The manufacturer's recommendations shall be taken into account;

(B) Methods for monitoring recording or temperature measuring devices during each complete cycle to ensure that the manufacturer's recommended temperature is attained for the recommended amount of time in order to achieve sterilization of the entire load. Temperature measuring devices shall be checked for calibration at least annually;

(C) Methods for using heat sensitive tape or other device designed to indicate attainment of adequate sterilization conditions, for each container;

(D) Methods for at least monthly use of the biological indicator Bacillus stearothermophilus, or equivalent, placed at the center of a load processed under standard operating conditions, to confirm the attainment of adequate sterilization conditions;

(E) Methods for maintenance of records pertaining to paragraphs (2)(a)(A), (B) and (D) of this rule. These records shall be maintained and available for Division review for a period of not less than one year.

(c) Treated by other methods that meet the following criteria:

(A) The specific processes of the method have been tested under the conditions in which the method would be used in Oregon for the treatment of infectious waste. Such testing has demonstrated that the method is effective in rendering infectious agents non-infectious by showing bactericidal efficacy against at least spore-forming bacteria and a Mycobacterium. The testing methodology, test results, and documentation thereof must be considered scientifically valid by the Division. The determination of validity requires, but is not limited to:

(i) The testing methodology follows basic scientific principles or objectivity and is fully documented;

(ii) The results of the testing are fully documented. Raw data are made available to the Division if they are requested by the Division;

(iii) The testing has been done by a scientist(s) with an advanced degree in microbiology and with a record of having published scientific research results in a peer reviewed journal;

(iv) The report of the testing methodology and results, together with the statement "This report is an accurate and complete account of the test methods I performed and the test results I obtained" have been signed by the scientist(s) who performed the testing; and

(B) Any discharges into air or water and any solid waste resulting from the method meet the requirements of the laws and administrative rules of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality; or

(C) The Environmental Quality Commission has approved the method and has accepted that method by administrative rule.

(3) Liquid or soluble semi-solid biological wastes may be discharged into a sewage treatment system that provides secondary treatment of waste.

(4) After treatment approved by the Division or the Environmental Quality Commission, sharps may be disposed of directly into a permitted land disposal site only if the sharps are in a red, leak-proof, rigid, puncture-resistant container which is taped closed or tightly lidded to prevent loss of the contents. The containers may not be compacted or otherwise broken before placement in the landfill. They must be placed in a segregated area of the landfill.

(5) Methods of treatment which have not been delineated in this rule or approved by the Division or the Environmental Quality Commission, as applicable, are not permitted.

Or. Admin. R. 333-056-0030

HD 15-1990, f. 6-5-90, cert. ef. 7-1-90; HD 20-1991(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 11-8-91; HD 13-1992(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 12-23-92 (and corrected 12-30-92); HD 29-1994, f. & cert. ef. 12-2-94; OHD 15-2001, f. & cert. ef. 7-12-01, Renumbered from 333-018-0060; PH 16-2013, f. 12-26-13, cert. ef. 1-1-14

Stat. Auth.: ORS 431.110, 433.004 & 459.395

Stats. Implemented: ORS 431.110, 433.004 & 459.395