§ 284.512. Transportation of infectious and chemotherapeutic waste; general provisions.

 (a)  General. This section sets forth general requirements for a person or municipality that transports infectious or chemotherapeutic waste. Section 284.513 (relating to transportation of infectious and chemotherapeutic waste; additional provisions) sets forth additional provisions relating to the transportation of the waste.

 (b)  Manner of transportation. Infectious and chemotherapeutic waste shall be transported in a manner that:

   (1)  Maintains the integrity of the containers, prevents the leakage or release of waste from the containers and provides protection from water, rain and wind.

   (2)  Prevents the spread of infectious or chemotherapeutic agents.

   (3)  Affords protection from animals and does not provide a breeding place or a food source for insects or rodents.

   (4)  Maintains the waste in a nonputrescent state, using refrigeration (‹=7°C) or freezing (‹=-18°C) when necessary.

   (5)  Prevents odors from emanating from the container.

   (6)  Prevents unauthorized access to the waste.

 (c)  Containers.

   (1)  Infectious and chemotherapeutic waste shall be transported in containers that are:

     (i)   Rigid.

     (ii)   Leakproof.

     (iii)   Impervious to moisture.

     (iv)   Sufficient in strength to prevent puncturing, tearing or bursting during transportation. A single-walled, corrugated fiberboard container shall be of a classified strength of at least 200 pounds per square inch, with a gross weight limit of at least 65 pounds at the time the container is manufactured. Compliance with these requirements shall be certified on the container by the manufacturer.

   (2)  In addition to the requirements of paragraph (1), used sharps shall be transported in containers that are tightly lidded.

   (3)  In addition to the requirement of paragraph (1), infectious waste fluids—quantities greater than 20 cubic centimeters—and chemotherapeutic waste fluids shall be transported in containers that are:

     (i)   Break resistant.

     (ii)   Tightly lidded or tightly stoppered.

   (4)  Bags meeting the requirements of §  284.415 (relating to storage containers) may be used to meet the requirements of this subsection that containers be leakproof and impervious to moisture.

 (d)  Infectious and chemotherapeutic waste may not be transported in the same containers, unless approved in writing by the Department. Infectious and chemotherapeutic waste shall be transported in separate vehicles from those used for other waste.

 (e)  Vehicles for transporting infectious or chemotherapeutic waste shall be noncompaction type vehicles.

 (f)  Load compartments of vehicles holding infectious or chemotherapeutic waste for transportation shall be constructed of materials that are impermeable and easily cleaned. Surfaces of vehicles that have been in direct physical contact with infectious or chemotherapeutic waste, because of a leak in the bag or container or because of another reason, shall be decontaminated as soon as possible after unloading.

 (g)  Infectious waste may not be kept in an unrefrigerated transport vehicle for more than 48 hours. If the vehicle is refrigerated (‹=7°C) or maintained at freezing temperatures (‹=-18°C), the in-transit storage period may not exceed 5 days.

 (h)  Chutes may not be used by generators, processors or transporters to transfer infectious or chemotherapeutic waste at onsite or offsite locations.

   This section cited in 25 Pa. Code §  284.724 (relating to transportation limitations); and 25 Pa. Code §  285.201 (relating to scope).