Subchapter E. STORAGE

 (a)  Infectious and chemotherapeutic waste shall be stored and contained 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. As part of this requirement, the following shall be met:

     (i)   Enclosures and containers used for storage of infectious or chemotherapeutic waste shall be secured to deny access to unauthorized persons.

     (ii)   Enclosures and containers shall also be marked with prominent warning signs indicating the storage of infectious or chemotherapeutic waste.

 (b)  Enclosures at a waste generating or processing facility that are used for the storage of infectious or chemotherapeutic waste shall be constructed of finish materials that are impermeable and capable of being readily maintained in a sanitary condition. Storage areas shall be ventilated to minimize human exposure to the exhaust air.

 (c)  Infectious and chemotherapeutic waste may not be commingled with other waste.

 (d)  The generator may store infectious and municipal waste that has been sorted and separately containerized on the same cart for movement to an onsite processing or disposal facility. Chemotherapeutic waste may also be stored on the cart with municipal and infectious waste if it is sorted and separately containerized and if it is moved to an onsite incinerator.

 (a)  Infectious and chemotherapeutic waste shall be placed in separate containers from other waste at the point of orgin in the generating facility.

 (b)  Infectious and chemotherapeutic waste may be stored together in the same container if approved in writing by the Department.

 (c)  Used sharps, regardless of whether they are infectious or chemotherapeutic waste, may be stored in the same container if the requirements of § §  284.413(a) and 284.415(a) and (b) (relating to duration of storage of infectious waste for generators; and storage containers) are met.

 (d)  Infectious waste shall be sorted at the point of origin in the generating facility into the following three classes, and each class shall be placed in a separate containter:

   (1)  Used sharps.

   (2)  Fluids—quantities greater than 20 cubic centimeters.

   (3)  Other infectious waste.

 (e)  Chemotherapeutic waste shall be sorted at the point of origin in the generating facility into the following three classes, and each class shall be placed in a separate container:

   (1)  Used sharps.

   (2)  Fluids.

   (3)  Other chemotherapeutic waste.

 (a)  Generators that store infectious or chemotherapeutic waste onsite shall meet the following requirements:

   (1)  Infectious waste, excluding used sharps, may be stored at room temperature until the storage container is full, but for no longer than 30 days from the date waste was first placed in the container.

   (2)  A storage container filled with infectious waste may be stored in a refrigeration unit for up to 30 days from the date waste was first placed in the container.

   (3)  A storage container of infectious waste that has been filled within 30 days from the date waste was first placed in the container may be frozen immediately for up to 90 days from the date waste was first placed in the container.

 (b)  If the infectious waste becomes putrescent during the storage period identified in subsection (a), the waste shall be moved offsite within 24 hours for processing or disposal.

 (c)  Used sharps containers may be used until full as long as the storage is in accordance with §  284.411 (relating to basic storage requirements).

 If the waste processing facility is separate from the waste generating facility, infectious waste may not be stored at the waste processing facility for more than the following periods unless other periods are approved in a permit:

   (1)  Seventy-two hours at a temperature ‹=28°C.

   (2)  Seven days in a refrigerator at ‹=7°C.

 (a)  Infectious and chemotherapeutic waste shall be placed in containers that are:

   (1)  Leakproof.

   (2)  Impervious to moisture.

   (3)  Sufficient in strength to prevent puncturing, tearing or bursting during storage.

 (b)  In addition to the requirements of subsection (a), used sharps shall be stored in containers that are:

   (1)  Rigid.

   (2)  Tightly lidded.

   (3)  Puncture resistant.

 (c)  In addition to the requirements of subsection (a), infectious waste fluids—quantities greater than 20 cubic centimeters—and chemotherapeutic waste fluids shall be stored in containers that are:

   (1)  Break resistant.

   (2)  Tightly lidded or tightly stoppered.

 (d)  When bags are used as the only storage container, double or multiple bagging shall be employed and the following requirements shall be met:

   (1)  Upon packaging, the bags shall be securely tied.

   (2)  The bag shall be constructed of material of sufficient single thickness strength to meet the following:

     (i)   The ASTM standard D1709-91, Test Method for Impact Resistance of Polyethylene Film by the Free Falling Dart Method, with an impact resistance of 165 grams or greater (Method A).

     (ii)   The ASTM standard D1922-89, Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting by Pendulum Method, with a tearing resistance, parallel and perpendicular to the length of the bag, of 480 grams.

     (iii)   If the standards in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) are modified by ASTM, the standard that is in effect on the date of manufacture of the bags shall be applied.

   (3)  Bags shall include one of the following certifications indicating that the ASTM standards have been met:

     (i)   Each bag shall contain a printed certification by the manufacturer.

     (ii)   The manufacturer may issue a certification letter to the infectious or chemotherapeutic waste generator and print a certification on each packaged lot of the bags.

   (4)  Bags used as containers shall have sufficient seam strength that is at least equal in resistance to tearing and equally impermeable as the other portions of the bag.

   (5)  Bags used as containers shall be yellow in color for each package of chemotherapeutic waste and fluorescent orange, orange-red or red in color for each package of infectious waste and shall be labeled in accordance with §  284.416(c) (relating to marking of containers).

 (e)  Fluorescent orange, orange-red or red or yellow containers shall contain colorants which are organic pigments with no heavy metal content.

 (f)  With the exception of persons who work at a small quantity generator’s operation, where less than 220 pounds of infectious and chemotherapeutic waste is generated per month, persons packaging infectious or chemotherapeutic waste for offsite transportation shall wear:

   (1)  Protective overalls.

   (2)  Heavy gloves of neoprene or equivalent materials.

 (a)  The outermost container for each package of infectious or chemotherapeutic waste for offsite transportation shall be labeled immediately after packing. The label shall be securely attached and shall be clearly legible. Indelible ink shall be used to complete the information on the label. If handwritten, the label shall be at least 3 inches by 5 inches in dimension.

 (b)  The following information shall be included on the label:

   (1)  The name, address and telephone number of the generator.

   (2)  The date the waste was generated.

   (3)  The name of the transporter and, if applicable, Department-issued infectious and chemotherapeutic waste transporter license number.

 (c)  The following information shall be printed on the outermost container or bag for each package of infectious or chemotherapeutic waste for either onsite movement or offsite transportation:

   (1)  The words “infectious waste’’ or “chemotherapeutic waste,’’ whichever is applicable.

   (2)  The universal biohazard symbol that conforms to the design shown in regulations of the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration at 29 CFR 1910.145(f)(8)(ii) (relating to specifications for accident prevention signs and tags).

 (d)  The color coding scheme for infectious and chemotherapeutic waste bags and nonwall-mounted used sharps containers shall be fluorescent orange, orange-red or red in color, or predominately so, for infectious waste and yellow in color, or predominately so, for chemotherapeutic waste, with lettering and symbols in a contrasting color (for example, black).

 (e)  Stationary waste storage containers shall be lined with the appropriate colored bag for infectious or chemotherapeutic waste.

 (a)  Nonrigid containers shall be managed as either infectious or chemotherapeutic waste, based upon the contents of the container. These containers may not be reused.

 (b)  Corrugated fiberboard containers used for storage of infectious or chemotherapeutic waste may be reused if the surface of the container has been protected from direct contact with the waste.

 (c)  A rigid, nonfiberboard container used for the storage of infectious waste may be reused if one of the following applies:

   (1)  The container has been decontaminated utilizing a Department-approved decontamination procedure.

   (2)  The surface of the container has been protected from direct contact with infectious waste.

 (a)  Ash residue from infectious or chemotherapeutic waste incineration shall be stored in accordance with the following:

   (1)  In an enclosed container, which may include a properly tarped container, or in an enclosed area, which may include an adequately ventilated building.

   (2)  On a pad that is no more permeable than 1 x 10^-7 cm./sec.

   (3)  To prevent the release, dispersal or discharge of ash residue into the air, water or onto land.

 (b)  Ash residue may be commingled with other municipal waste if the commingled waste is from one generator and if storage of the commingled waste is in accordance with subsection (a).

 (a)  Processing residue from infectious or chemotherapeutic waste processing facilities shall be stored in an enclosed container, which may include a properly tarped container, or in an enclosed area, which may include an adequately ventilated building, in order to:

   (1)  Prevent the release, dispersal or discharge of processing residue into the air, water or onto land.

   (2)  Afford protection from animals, rain and wind.

   (3)  Prevent the development of a breeding place or food source for insects or rodents.

   (4)  Prevent the leakage of waste from the storage container.

 (b)  Processing residue from an infectious or chemotherapeutic waste processing facility may be commingled with other municipal waste if the commingled waste is from one generator and if storage of the commingled waste is in accordance with subsection (a).

   This section cited in 25 Pa. Code §  284.321 (relating to infectious waste monitoring requirements).