Subchapter F. COLLECTION AND TRANSPORTATION

§ 284.501. Scope.

 This subchapter sets forth the requirements for a person or municipality that collects and transports infectious or chemotherapeutic waste, ash residue from infectious or chemotherapeutic waste incineration and processing residue from an infectious or chemotherapeutic waste processing facility. The requirements in this chapter are in addition to the applicable requirements in Chapter 271 (relating to municipal waste management—general provisions) and the requirements in § §  285.211—285.219 (relating to general provisions).

TYPES OF WASTE

§ 284.511. Transportation of ash residue from infectious or chemotherapeutic waste incineration.

 (a)  Ash residue from infectious or chemotherapeutic waste incineration shall be wetted immediately prior to loading, and shall remain wetted during transportation and unloading at a municipal waste landfill, to prevent the dispersal of ash residue.

 (b)  Ash residue from infectious or chemotherapeutic waste incineration shall be transported in an enclosed or covered vehicle to prevent dispersal of the residue.

 (c)  A transporter shall transport separately each generator’s ash residue from infectious or chemotherapeutic waste.

 (d)  A transporter may transport ash residue from an infectious or chemotherapeutic waste incinerator that is commingled with other municipal waste if the commingled waste is from one generator and the waste is transported separately from another generator’s waste.

 (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.

 (a)  This section sets forth additional requirements for the transportation of infectious and chemotherapeutic waste. This section does not apply to vehicles used by a generator of less than 220 pounds of infectious and chemotherapeutic waste per month for transporting waste that he generated.

 (b)  Vehicles for transporting infectious or chemotherapeutic waste shall be identified on the two sides and back of the cargo compartment with the following:

   (1)  The transporter’s Department-issued infectious and chemotherapeutic waste license number, if applicable.

   (2)  A placard or decal containing the phrase “infectious waste’’ or “chemotherapeutic waste,’’ or both, and the universal biohazard symbol that conforms to the design shown in the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s regulations at 29 CFR 1910.145(f)(8)(ii) (relating to specifications for accident prevention signs and tags). The placard or decal shall be capable of being read at a distance of 25 feet.

 (c)  A vehicle used for transporting infectious or chemotherapeutic waste shall contain, in a readily accessible place, a portable decontamination and spill containment unit, including at a minimum the following:

   (1)  An adequate amount of absorbent material.

   (2)  One gallon of hospital grade disinfectant in an appropriate applicator.

   (3)  Fifty fluorescent orange, orange-red or red or yellow, or both, plastic bags that meet the requirements of §  284.415 (relating to storage containers). The bags shall be accompanied by seals and appropriate labels, and shall be large enough to overpack any container normally transported in the vehicle.

   (4)  Two sets of protective overalls, gloves, boots, caps, goggles and masks. The protective garments shall be oversized or fitted for the vehicle operators.

   (5)  A first aid kit, boundary marking tape and other appropriate safety equipment.

 (d)  The surface of vehicles that have not been in direct physical contact with infectious or chemotherapeutic waste shall be cleaned weekly. Drainage from the cleaning shall be discharged directly or through a holding tank to a sanitary sewer system or treatment facility.

 (e)  Individuals loading or unloading containers of infectious or chemotherapeutic waste onto or off transportation vehicles shall wear protective overalls and heavy gloves of neoprene or equivalent materials. Gloves and coveralls shall be decontaminated after each loading or unloading operation if the gloves and coveralls have been contaminated or are suspected of having been contaminated. If no contamination occurs or none is suspected, decontamination shall be completed at the end of the working day or work shift.

 (a)  Processing residue from an infectious or chemotherapeutic waste facility shall be transported in an enclosed or covered vehicle to prevent dispersal of the residue.

 (b)  A transporter shall transport separately each generator’s processing residue from infectious or chemotherapeutic waste.

 (c)  A transporter may transport processing residue from infectious or chemotherapeutic waste that is commingled with other municipal waste if the commingled waste is from one generator and the waste is transported separately from another generator’s waste.

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