Section 250-RICR-140-15-1.6 - Identification and Segregation of Regulated Medical WastesA. Applicability 1. Generators shall comply with the requirements of this section from the time and location that an item becomes regulated medical waste.2. Generators shall comply with § 1.8 of this Part for on-site storage.3. Training/Notification Requirement: Generators shall notify in writing all employees involved with the identification and segregation of regulated medical wastes of the provisions in § 1.6 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. Identification1. A person who generates a medical waste within the State of Rhode Island shall determine if that waste is a regulated medical waste. Any wastes that contain regulated medical waste mixed with general solid waste shall be managed as regulated medical wastes.2. Any regulated medical wastes which meet the definition of "hazardous waste", or which are mixed with hazardous wastes shall be managed as hazardous waste in accordance with the most current DEM Rules and Regulations for Hazardous Waste Management (Subchapter 10 Part 1 of this Title).C. Segregation Generators shall segregate regulated medical waste from the general waste stream to the maximum extent practicable to ensure the special handling and treatment required by these regulations. Separation from the general waste stream shall occur at the point at which the regulated medical waste is generated. 1. Generators shall segregate regulated medical wastes into the following groups: a. Sharps and unused sharps, including sharps containing residual fluid;b. Fluids in bulk quantities (quantities greater than twenty cubic centimeters (20 cm3));c. Human Pathological wastes as defined in § 1.2(C) of this Part.d. Other regulated medical wastes.2. Regulated medical wastes shall be placed in suitable containers, according to the requirements of § 1.7 of this Part, at the source of origin (e.g., patient room, operating room, etc.).3. If other solid waste is placed in the same container(s) as regulated medical waste, then the entire contents of the container(s) shall be managed as regulated medical waste and shall meet all the requirements of these regulations.4. If a generator manages all solid waste as regulated medical waste, the identification and segregation requirements of § 1.6 of this Part need not be met. However, the entire solid waste stream of this generator shall then be managed as regulated medical waste and shall meet all remaining handling and management requirements of these regulations.250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-140-15-1.6
Amended effective 4/22/2020