250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-140-15-1.14

Current through October 15, 2024

Section 250-RICR-140-15-1.14 - Transporter Requirements for Off-Site Transportation of Regulated Medical Waste

A. Applicability

1. These requirements apply to persons who engage in transportation of regulated medical waste in Rhode Island. No person or other legal entity shall engage in the transportation of regulated medical waste on a public way in the State of Rhode Island unless such person or entity shall first have been issued a permit by the Director for this purpose.

2. Notwithstanding the requirements of § 1.14(B)(1) of this Part, the following are exempt from the requirements of this section:

a. Generators of regulated medical waste that transport regulated medical waste but are exempt under § 1.13(B) of this Part from the requirement for initiating a medical waste tracking form; and,

b. Persons transporting household medical waste; and,

c. On-site transportation of regulated medical waste; and,

d. Wildlife rehabilitators authorized by DEM/Division of Fish and Wildlife transporting regulated medical waste to a veterinarian that actively supervises their activities.

3. A transporter of regulated medical waste shall also comply with § 1.13 of this Part when the transporter consolidates two or more shipments of regulated medical waste onto a single tracking form.

4. Transporters shall also comply with §§ 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9 and 1.11 of this Part if the transporters:

a. Store regulated medical waste in the course of transport; or,

b. Remove regulated medical waste from a reusable container; or,

c. Modify packaging of regulated medical waste.

5. Transporters shall not accept regulated medical waste from a generator unless and until said generator has a valid regulated medical waste generator registration number issued pursuant to § 1.16 of this Part.

6. Training/Notification Requirement: Transporters and owners and operators of transfer facilities shall notify in writing all employees involved with off-site transportation of regulated medical waste of the provisions in this § 1.14 of this Part. Generators shall notify in writing all employees involved with the off-site transportation of regulated medical waste of the provisions of §§ 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.11 and 1.14 of this Part. This training/notification shall be accomplished through the use of a medical waste procedure manual and/or through appropriate training materials.

B. Regulated Medical Waste Transporter Permit Requirements

1. Exemption: The requirements of this Section shall not be applicable to use of vehicles to collect and transport regulated medical waste in emergency situations which present a threat to public health and safety. In the event of an emergency, the Director shall be immediately notified of each vehicle used for the cleanup and transportation of regulated medical waste. Notwithstanding this exemption, all collected regulated medical waste shall be managed in accordance with all applicable regulations at all times subsequent to this notification.

2. Contents of Application: A transporter shall submit an application for a regulated medical waste transporter permit on a form prescribed by the Director. Such application shall include, as a minimum, the following:

a. Name under which the application is being made;

b. Applicant's business location(s) and mailing address if different from business location(s);

c. Applicant's business phone number;

d. Name, address and phone number of the owner of the applicant company;

e. The name(s), address(es) and phone number(s) of the applicant's personnel who can be reached in case of an emergency;

f. The name(s) and signature(s) of all company personnel who are authorized to sign medical waste tracking forms;

g. A list of all employees authorized to transport or otherwise handle Regulated Medical Waste and a certification that these employees have been trained in the hazards of blood borne pathogens. This list must be amended when new individuals are hired.

h. The following information for each vehicle that may be used to transport regulated medical waste:

(1) The manufacturer;

(2) Model;

(3) Year of manufacture;

(4) Vehicle Identification Number (VIN);

(5) Cargo carrying capacity;

(6) Proof of ownership of each vehicle; and,

(7) Proof of current registration for each vehicle with the appropriate state motor vehicle agency;

i. The address of any transfer station(s) and/or vehicle parking area(s) used by the applicant for storing or parking vehicles identified in § 1.14(B)(2)(g) of this Part;

j. Location(s) to be used, pursuant to § 1.14(K) of this Part, for temporary storage of regulated medical waste in vehicles;

k. The specific location(s) and/or person(s) to which the transporter delivers or intends to deliver regulated medical waste, and a signed notarized statement from each person and/or location which certifies that said person/location is in compliance with all applicable licensing/permitting requirements for the jurisdiction(s) to which regulated medical waste will be transported;

l. A copy of the applicant's spill management plan prepared in accordance with the requirements of § 1.14(G) of this Part;

m. The permit application fee specified by § 1.14(B)(6)(a) of this Part;

n. The signature of the applicant or a person duly authorized to act on behalf of the applicant; and,

o. Any other information reasonably required by the Director to demonstrate that the applicant can safely transport regulated medical waste and comply with all applicable provisions of § 1.14 of this Part.

3. Notification of Changes: A transporter who has been issued a regulated medical waste transporter permit shall notify the Director, in writing, of any change(s) in the information required by the permit application. Such notification shall be provided in advance whenever possible. However, in no case shall the notification be postmarked later than five (5) business days after the effective date of the change(s). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Director shall be notified, in writing, of the name(s) and signature(s) of additional company personnel authorized to sign medical waste tracking forms before the employee(s) may sign the tracking forms.

4. Vehicle Requirements

a. Vehicles used to transport regulated medical waste in Rhode Island shall, as a minimum, meet the following requirements:

(1) The vehicle shall have a fully enclosed, leak resistant cargo carrying body;

(2) The transporter shall maintain the cargo carrying body in good sanitary condition;

(3) The cargo carrying body shall be secured if left unattended; and,

(4) The regulated medical waste shall not be subject to mechanical stress or compaction during loading and unloading or during transit.

b. Vehicles used to transport regulated medical waste shall have the following identification in letters no less than three (3) inches in height on both sides and the back of the cargo carrying body:

(1) The name of the transporter;

(2) The transporter's regulated medical waste transporter permit number; and,

(3) A universal biohazard sign or the following words imprinted: "medical waste" or "regulated medical waste."

c. A transporter shall not transport regulated medical waste in the same container with other solid waste unless the transporter manages both as regulated medical waste in compliance with these regulations; and,

d. The transporter shall not use the cargo carrying compartment of the vehicle to co-mingle anything with regulated medical waste. Hazardous waste may be transported with regulated medical waste if the following criteria are met:

(1) The transporter vehicle is permitted to carry hazardous waste;

(2) The regulated medical waste and the hazardous waste are packaged separately;

(3) The hazardous waste is properly labeled, marked, packaged, and handled in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations; and,

(4) The transporter vehicle is identified, in accordance with all applicable regulations, as carrying both regulated medical waste and hazardous waste.

5. Vehicle Inspection Requirements: Each vehicle identified in § 1.14(B)(4) of this Part shall be inspected by the applicant prior to application for a medical waste transporter permit or application to add an additional vehicle to an existing permit. The applicant must complete the Department's vehicle checklist certifying the vehicle meets the Department's standards prior to the permitting of any vehicles. All equipment listed in the checklist shall be kept on the vehicle at all times.

6. Regulated Medical Waste Transporter Permit Fees: Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-19.12-9, the Director has established the following fee schedule for regulated medical waste transporter permits:

a. A permit application fee of one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) per vehicle identified on the permit application;

b. An annual registration fee of one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) per vehicle, or a monthly fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) per vehicle identified on the permit application or on subsequent amendments;

c. No permit fee adjustments shall be made for vehicles that are removed from the permit and not replaced.

d. In the case of a tractor/trailer combination, the power unit (tractor) is the vehicle that is required to have a permit. The non-powered unit (trailer) is not required to possess a permit.

7. Insurance: The holder of a regulated medical waste transporter permit shall maintain liability insurance sufficient to provide coverage of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per incident involving the transport of regulated medical waste.

8. Expiration of regulated medical waste transporter permits: Upon approval by the Director, a regulated medical waste company's registration shall expire three (3) years from the date of issuance, unless sooner modified, suspended or revoked. However, the transporter permits shall expire annually and the transporter must pay the annual registration fee of $125 for each vehicle that carries waste.

9. Renewal of Regulated Medical Waste Transporter Permits

a. Requests for renewal of a regulated medical waste transporter permit shall contain all the information required by § 1.14(B) of this Part without reference to any previously submitted material.

b. In any case in which a holder of a regulated medical waste transporter permit has filed an application in proper form for renewal not less than thirty (30) days prior to expiration of his/her existing permit, the existing permit shall not expire until final action on the application has been taken by the Director.

C. Accepting Regulated Medical Waste for Transport

1. Transporters shall not accept for transport within Rhode Island any regulated medical waste unless the regulated medical waste is packaged in accordance with § 1.7 of this Part and labeled/marked in accordance with § 1.11 of this Part.

2. Transporters shall not accept regulated medical waste for transport within Rhode Island unless it is accompanied by a properly completed tracking form as required under § 1.13(C) of this Part unless the generator is exempt from the use of the tracking form under § 1.13(B) of this Part.

3. Notwithstanding § 1.14(C)(2) of this Part, a non-rail transporter may accept from a rail transporter regulated medical waste that is not accompanied by a tracking form, provided that such non-rail transporter:

a. Signs and dates all copies of the medical waste tracking form which has been forwarded by the generator or the first non-rail transporter to the accepting non-rail transporter, or, if the tracking form has not been received by the accepting non-rail transporter, on the shipping paper;

b. Leaves a copy of the signed and dated shipping paper with the rail transporter, if applicable; and,

c. Retains a copy of the signed and dated shipping paper or tracking form, as applicable.

4. Before accepting regulated medical waste that is accompanied by a tracking form, a transporter shall:

a. Verify that the tracking form accurately reflects the number of containers and quantity of all treated and untreated regulated medical waste accepted;

b. On all copies of the tracking form, sign and indicate the date the waste was accepted from the generator or prior transporter, as applicable; and,

c. If the transporter is the first transporter of the waste, return a copy of the signed and dated tracking form to the generator before accepting the waste, or if the transporter is a subsequent transporter of the waste, return a copy of the signed and dated tracking form to the prior transporter before accepting the waste; and,

d. Return a signed copy of the tracking form to the generator before leaving the generator's site.

e. Retain one copy of the signed and dated tracking form.

D. Use of the Medical Waste Tracking Form

1. A transporter, other than a rail transporter, shall ensure that the tracking form accompanies the regulated medical waste during transport.

2. When a transporter, other than a rail transporter, delivers regulated medical waste to another transporter or a destination facility, the delivering transporter shall:

a. On all copies of the tracking form, obtain the date of delivery and the signature of the accepting transporter or the operator of the destination facility;

b. Retain one copy of the signed and dated tracking form; and,

c. Give the remaining copies of the signed and dated tracking form to the accepting transporter or to an authorized facility representative.

3. When a transporter other than a rail transporter delivers regulated medical waste to a transporter outside Rhode Island or facility outside Rhode Island, the delivering transporter shall:

a. Verify that the waste has been delivered to the accepting transporter or operator of the facility;

b. On all copies of the tracking form, have the accepting transporter or facility operator write his signature and the date accepted;

c. Retain one copy of the signed and dated tracking form; and,

d. Give the remaining copies of the tracking form to the accepting transporter, intermediate handler, or destination facility.

4. Delivery of Regulated Medical Waste Outside the United States: Any transporter who transports regulated medical waste across an international border, or who delivers regulated medical waste to a transporter or treatment, destruction, or destination facility located in a foreign country shall:

a. Sign the tracking form and verify that the waste has been delivered to the next transporter, or treatment, destruction, or destination facility;

b. Retain one copy of the signed tracking form for his records; and c. Return all remaining copies of the tracking form by mail to the generator.

5. Consolidating or Re-manifesting Waste to a New Tracking Form

a. A transporter may choose to consolidate or re-manifest to a single tracking form all shipments of regulated medical waste transported in a single vehicle.

b. When a transporter consolidates wastes on to a manifest, he/she shall:

(1) Indicate on the original tracking form that the waste was reconsolidated with the new tracking form number.

(2) Retain a copy of each tracking form in accordance with § 1.14(L) of this Part; and,

(3) Return a copy of each tracking form to the generator within thirty-five (35) days of the date that the generator offered the documented regulated medical waste for transport;

c. For each consolidated tracking form initiated, a transporter shall maintain a consolidation log indicating all shipments consolidated or re-manifested on that form. The log shall accompany the tracking form and include the following information:

(1) Name of each generator;

(2) The generator's address;

(3) Date the regulated medical waste was originally shipped by the generator;

(4) Quantity of regulated medical waste (i.e., number of containers and quantity and unit of measure) by waste category (i.e., "untreated" or "treated") shipped by each generator; and,

(5) The names, regulated medical transporter permit or identification numbers of all previous transporters or, if not applicable, the transporters' addresses.

6. When a transporter receives from a treatment, destruction or destination facility a copy of a tracking form which he initiated pursuant to § 1.14(D)(5) of this Part, and which the operator of such facility signed and dated in accordance with § 1.14(D)(3)(b) of this Part, such transporter shall:

a. Attach a copy of the tracking form received from the treatment, destruction, or destination facility to the copy of the tracking form originally prepared by the generator;

b. Retain a copy of the tracking form received from said facility; and,

c. Return a copy of the tracking form received from the facility, together with a copy of the tracking form originally prepared by the generator, to the generator so that the generator receives these tracking forms within thirty-five (35) days of the date that the generator offered the documented regulated medical waste for transport.

7. When a non-rail transporter accepts regulated medical waste from a rail transporter, such non-rail transporter shall:

a. Write his signature and the date he accepts the waste on all copies of the tracking form which was forwarded by the generator or first non-rail transporter to the accepting non-rail transporter, or, if the tracking form has not been received by the accepting non-rail transporter, on the shipping paper;

b. Leave a copy of the signed and dated shipping paper with the rail transporter, if applicable; and,

c. Retain a copy of the signed and dated shipping paper or tracking form, as applicable.

E. Marking (Identification)

When regulated medical waste is handled by more than one transporter, each subsequent transporter shall attach a water resistant identification tag below the generator's marking on the outer surface of the packaging, so that it does not obscure the generator's or previous transporter's markings. The transporter taking possession of the shipment shall ensure that the tag contains the following information:

1. Name of transporter taking possession (receiving) of the regulated medical waste;

2. Transporter regulated medical waste transporter permit number; and,

3. Date of receipt.

F. Delivery of Regulated Medical Waste

1. A transporter shall deliver the entire quantity of regulated medical waste that he accepts from a generator or prior transporter to:

a. The destination facility identified on the tracking form; or,

b. The next transporter, if any.

2. If regulated medical waste cannot be delivered in accordance with § 1.14(F)(1) of this Part, a medical waste transporter shall:

a. Contact the generator for further directions;

b. Revise the tracking form according to the generator's instructions; and,

c. Deliver the entire quantity of regulated medical waste according to the generator's instructions.

3. No transporter shall deliver regulated medical waste or cause regulated medical waste to be delivered to any treatment, destruction or destination facility, whether located inside or outside of Rhode Island, unless such treatment and/or destruction facility complies with all applicable law.

4. If any vehicle owned or operated by a medical waste transporter is involved in a spill of regulated medical waste or if the vehicle is involved in an accident which renders the vehicle in non-compliance with § 1.14 of this Part, such transporter shall immediately notify the Director of DEM.

G. Management of Spills

1. Spill Management Plan: All transporters, intermediate handlers, and destruction facilities shall adopt and adhere to a written procedure developed by the transporter and approved by the Department, to govern the management and decontamination of regulated medical waste spills.

2. Cleanup Equipment and Supplies: All transporters, intermediate handlers, and destruction facilities shall have at each site, including each vehicle used to transport regulated medical waste, appropriate equipment and supplies for cleaning up a spill of regulated medical waste. Equipment and supplies shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. Spill Containment and Cleanup Kit: A spill containment and cleanup kit shall be kept in each area utilized for the collection, transfer, storage, treatment, packaging or other such handling of regulated medical wastes. All vehicles operating under a Rhode Island regulated medical waste transporter permit shall carry a spill containment and cleanup kit in the vehicle whenever regulated medical waste is transported. Personnel shall be trained in the use of the kit and the kit shall contain at least the following items:

(1) Absorbent material for spilled liquids. The absorbent material shall have a rated capacity of one gallon of liquid for every cubic foot of regulated medical waste that is normally managed in that area for which the kit is provided or ten (10) gallons, whichever is less;

(2) One gallon of disinfectant in a sprayer capable of dispersing its charge in a mist and in a stream. The disinfectant shall be of hospital grade and of a formulation described in § 1.14(G)(3) of this Part and be effective against mycobacteria;

(3) Fifty (50) plastic infectious waste bags that meet the requirements of § 1.7(E) of this Part, accompanied by sealing tape (or devices for sealing), and appropriate labels as required by § 1.11 of this Part. These bags shall be large enough to overpack any box or other container normally used for regulated medical waste handling by the facility;

(4) Two (2) sets of overalls, gloves, boots, caps and protective eye covering, all of which shall be disposable and impermeable to liquids. Overalls, boots and caps shall be oversized or fitted to medical waste handlers and be made of a moisture resistant or moisture proof material. Gloves for handling regulated medical waste where sharps are not present shall be durable and moisture resistant or moisture proof. Gloves for handling sharps shall be puncture resistant or puncture proof in addition to liquid resistant. Boots shall be of durable moisture resistant or moisture proof material, which will not tear under the stress of walking. At a minimum, protective-breathing devices shall include surgical masks. The kit shall also contain tape for sealing wrists and ankles;

(5) Scoop shovels, push brooms, and buckets;

(6) A first aid kit, fire extinguisher, lights, and other appropriate safety equipment;

(7) A suitable means of communication for summoning aid in an emergency; and,

(8) An approved copy of the spill management plan as described in § 1.14(G) of this Part.

3. Disinfectants and Decontamination Procedures

a . Approved routine decontamination procedures for soiled surfaces include, but are not limited to:

(1) Exposure to hot water of at least 82°C (180°F) for a minimum fifteen (15) seconds; or,

(2) Rinsing with or immersion in a chemical disinfectant; or,

(3) Rinsing with or immersion in a one-to-ten (1:10) dilution of five percent (5%) sodium hypochlorite solution.

b. Any chemical disinfectant used for decontamination shall be registered with the U.S. EPA as hospital disinfectants that are tuberculocidal, fungicidal, virucidal and effective against HIV 1.

4. The transporter shall make provisions for prompt control of spills and other emergencies, as set forth in the spill management plan required by § 1.14(G)(1) of this Part.

5. Reporting of Medical Waste Spills

a. In the event of a spill of regulated medical waste by the transporter, the transporter shall notify the Department immediately of the spill. In all cases of spills, the transporter shall immediately take steps to contain and clean up the regulated medical waste.

b. In addition to the immediate notification requirement of § 1.14(G)(5) (a) of this Part, the transporter shall, within forty-eight (48) hours of a spill of regulated medical waste, submit an accident report to the Director. A copy of the report shall be kept on file for a minimum of three (3) years at the same location as the regulated medical waste transporter permit. The three (3) year period for retention shall start from the date of report. Record retention periods shall be extended during the course of any unresolved litigation, or when so requested by the Director or by EPA.

H. Other Inspections and Department Actions Upon request of the Department, a medical waste transporter shall:

1. Permit the Department to inspect Tracking forms, shipment logs, reports, permits, licenses, billing records, or other documents related to the transportation or other handling of regulated medical waste.

2. Permit the Department to inspect any vehicle or related equipment or any vehicle parking area used by the transporter involved in the handling, transporting, storing or transferring regulated medical waste.

3. Decontaminate, utilizing procedures described in § 1.14(G) of this Part, or permit the Department to decontaminate at the owner's expense, any vehicle or section of a facility that has been in contact with regulated medical waste, or take or allow the Department to take any other measures necessary to make such vehicle or facility safe.

I. Personnel/Equipment

1. The transporter of regulated medical waste shall provide a sufficient number of personnel with the skills necessary to comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

2. All equipment shall be maintained in such a manner that it shall be fit for the purposes for which it was intended by the manufacturer.

J. Containerization of Regulated Medical Waste The transporter of regulated medical waste shall not handle containerized regulated medical waste unless the containers are constructed and maintained in accordance with these regulations and the medical waste is properly segregated, packaged, labeled, and marked in accordance with §§ 1.6 and 1.7 of this Part.

K. Temporary Storage A medical waste transporter may store regulated medical waste in the same vehicle used to pick up and transport such waste from a generator only if:

1. Such vehicle is parked at a location that:

a. Is under the direct control of the transporter; and,

b. Has been approved for such use by the Director in the transporter's regulated medical waste transporter permit;

2. The location where such vehicle is parked is secured to prevent access thereto by any person other than the transporter and the transporter's employees;

3. Regulated medical waste is stored in the vehicle for a period not to exceed one week, not including legal holidays;

4. The regulated medical waste is stored in accordance with the provisions of § 1.8 of this Part;

5. Such vehicle complies with the provisions of § 1.14(B)(5) of this Part;

6. No regulated medical waste is loaded on to or off of such vehicle during storage of regulated medical waste;

7. Temporary storage of regulated medical waste shall only be allowed in locations approved by the Director and included on the application for a regulated medical waste transporter permit;

8. Temporary storage in the transporting vehicle at the location of a breakdown of the vehicle shall only be allowed if the transporter notifies the Department of the location of the vehicle and the estimated time for repairs. During the period of the breakdown, the cargo body of the vehicle shall be locked and shall not be accessible to anyone except authorized personnel;

9. Temporary storage facilities shall keep an accurate log of all regulated medical waste shipped in and out of the facility; and,

10. Medical waste transfer stations shall be in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 23-19.12 and these regulations, and be licensed in accordance with all applicable Rules and Regulations.

L. Recordkeeping

1. A transporter of regulated medical waste shall keep a copy of the tracking form signed by the generator, the previous transporter (if applicable), and the next party, which may be one of the following: another transporter; or the owner or operator of an intermediate handling facility; or destination facility. The transporter shall retain a copy of this form for a period of three hundred and seventy-five (375) days from the date the waste was accepted by the next party.

2. For regulated medical waste that is not accompanied by a generator-initiated tracking form, the transporter shall retain a copy of all transporter-initiated tracking forms and consolidation logs for a period of three (3) years from the date the waste was accepted by the transporter.

3. For any regulated medical waste that was received by the transporter accompanied by a tracking form and consolidated or re-manifested by the transporter to another tracking form, the transporter shall:

a. Retain a copy of the generator-initiated tracking form signed by the transporter for a period of three hundred and seventy-five (375) days from the date the waste was accepted by the transporter; and,

b. Retain a copy of the transporter-initiated tracking form signed by the intermediate handler or destination facility for a period of three hundred and seventy-five (375) days from the date the waste was accepted by the intermediate handler or destination facility.

4. Retain a copy of each transporter report required by § 1.14(M) of this Part for a period of three (3) years from the date of submission.

M. Reporting A transporter that accepts regulated medical waste generated in Rhode Island shall submit reports describing the source and disposition of the waste. In addition, transporters that accept regulated medical waste generated in another state shall submit reports describing the source and disposition of the waste if such waste is being transported to a destination facility, intermediate handler, or transfer facility located in Rhode Island. The reports shall be submitted in electronic format as described below.

1. One copy of the report described in § 1.14(M)(3) of this Part shall be submitted to: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Office of Land Revitalization and Sustainable Materials Management, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02908.

2. Each report shall contain the following information:

a. The transporters name, address, and RI regulated medical waste transporter permit number;

b. The name and telephone number of a contact person;

c. Total number of generators from whom the transporter accepted regulated medical waste;

d. The name, addresses, and type of each generator from whom the transporter accepted regulated medical waste;

e. The amount, unit of measure and waste category (i.e., untreated or treated) of regulated medical waste accepted from each generator;

f. The total quantity and waste category, of regulated medical waste from all generators in Rhode Island that the transporter delivered to an intermediate handler or to a destination facility;

g. The total and waste category of regulated medical waste from all generators in Rhode Island that the transporter delivered to a second transporter or to a transfer facility; and,

h. The certification signed by the owner or operator, or his authorized representative.

4. Transporters that transport or deliver regulated medical waste to an intermediate handler or to a destination facility shall also provide the following information:

a. The name and address of each intermediate handler and destination facility to which waste from Rhode Island was delivered;

b. The amount, by waste category, that was delivered;

c. The total number of intermediate handlers and destination facilities to which waste was delivered.

5. The transporter shall submit reports for the periods of January 1 to June 30 and July 1 to December 31 of each year.

6. Transporters shall submit the reports required in § 1.14(M)(5) of this Part on or before the date forty-five (45) days after the end of the reporting period.

7. Each transporter that initiates a tracking form shall meet the requirements of § 1.13(F) of this Part (Exception Reporting), except that the thirty-five (35) and forty-five (45) day periods commence on the day the transporter accepted the waste from the generator.

N. Rail Shipments of Regulated Medical Waste

1. Applicability: These requirements apply to persons engaged in rail transportation of regulated medical waste generated in Rhode Island.

2. Rail transporters of regulated medical waste shall also comply with all other parts of § 1.14 of this Part, except as otherwise noted in these regulations.

3. General Requirements: The following requirements apply to all shipments of regulated medical waste involving rail transport:

a. When accepting regulated medical waste generated in Rhode Island from a non-rail transporter, the initial rail transporter shall:

(1) Sign and date the tracking form acknowledging acceptance of the regulated medical waste;

(2) Return a signed copy of the tracking form to the non-rail transporter;

(3) Forward at least three copies of the tracking form to: The next non-rail transporter, if any; the intermediate handler or destination facility, if the shipment is delivered to that facility by rail; or the last rail transporter designated to handle the waste in the United States; and,

(4) Retain one copy of the tracking form and rail shipping paper in accordance with § 1.14(D) of this Part.

b. A rail transporter shall ensure that a shipping paper accompanies each shipment of regulated medical waste during transport and contains all the information required on the tracking form, other than that required by boxes 7, 10, and 15. A rail transporter that accepts regulated medical waste from a prior rail transporter and delivers such waste to a subsequent rail transporter is not required to sign the shipping paper relating to such shipment of waste.

c. When a rail transporter delivers regulated medical waste to a treatment or destination facility in Rhode Island, such transporter shall:

(1) Have the operator of the destination facility who has accepted the regulated medical waste sign and date all copies of the tracking form which was forwarded by the generator or the first non-rail transporter to the destination facility, or, if the tracking form has not been received by the treatment or destination facility, on the shipping paper; and,

(2) Retain a copy of the signed and dated tracking form or shipping paper, as applicable.

d. When delivering regulated medical waste to a non-rail transporter, a rail transporter shall:

(1) Obtain the date of delivery and the signature of the next non-rail transporter on the tracking form; and,

(2) Retain a copy of the tracking form in accordance with § 1.14(L) of this Part.

e. Upon accepting regulated medical waste generated in Rhode Island from a rail transporter, a non-rail transporter shall sign and date the tracking form (or the shipping papers if the tracking form has not been received by the transporter) and provide a copy to the rail transporter.

250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-140-15-1.14

Amended effective 4/22/2020