Hazardous waste is discarded material that can be harmful to human health or the health of the environment, because of its quantity, concentration, and physical, chemical, or toxic char- acteristics. Elements from chemical spills, chemical release, and biological release are exam- ples. This guideline is specific to medical waste generated in the occupational health unit. For information about other types of waste disposal or emergency response to hazardous materials, see the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA), Comprehensive Environmen- tal Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), SuperFund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), and Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard of 1990 (HAZWOPER). Waste disposal (including medical waste) is subject to local, state, and federal regulations. Medical waste includes (but is not limited to) sharps such as needles, capillary tubes, slides and coverslips, scalpel blades, and syringes with attached needles blood or other body fluids and materials contaminated with blood or other infectious body fluids and untreated microbiologi- cal and pathological wastes. Occupational health unit personnel should develop a written plan for medical waste disposal based on current federal and state laws and on company policy regarding such disposal. The following principles and practices should be addressed: 1. Proper management of regulated medical waste per regulatory ordinances. 2. Prevention of exposures to staff, employees, and the environment. ● Place sharps in a container that is rigid, leak proof, and puncture resistant do not com- pact prior to off-site shipping and handle in a manner that avoids human contact with the sharps. Several states and municipalities permit sealed sharps containers to be dis- posed of in regular refuse bags or may require decontamination before disposal. ● Label contaminated sharps containers appropriately with the biohazard symbol. ● Package medical waste in a minimum of one plastic bag placed in a rigid fiberboard box or drum to prevent leakage of contents. (The plastic bag should be impervious to moisture and strong enough to preclude ripping or bursting under normal handling conditions.) ● Place liquid medical waste in a capped bottle or similar container. ● Store waste for a limited time in an area with limited access and in a manner that main- tains the integrity of the packaging at all times. 3. Adherence to company policies and regulations. ● Label medical waste with a water-resistant universal biohazard symbol and label the stor- age area. ● Contain medical waste from the point of origin to the point at which they are no longer infectious. ● Treat medical waste or contract with a company specializing in the treatment and dis- posal of medical waste according to local, state, and federal regulations. ● Select treatment methods according to type of waste, company policy, and regulations. Treatment methods include steam sterilization, incineration, gas or vapor sterilization, 269 Definition and Purpose Program Objectives and Elements Medical Waste Disposal