Bio-Hazard Waste Operating Plan

Section 1 - TRAINING AND SAFETY

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Bio-hazard Waste Operating Plan is to provide guidance and describe requirements for the proper management of biomedical waste in our facility. Guidelines for management of biomedical waste are found in Chapter 64E-16, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), and in section 381.0098, Florida Statutes. To ensure personnel are properly trained on Bio-Hazard collections and are aware of procedures for documenting bio-hazard storage and collection.

PROCEDURE:

A bio-hazard collection receipt binder will be assigned to each station. This binder will contain copies of the receipts left from a Bio-Hazard collection company’s scheduled pick-up of our Bio-hazard waste. This is the same receipt that is currently sent to Fiscal Assistant and/or Administrative Assistant. When a receipt is submitted, crews MUST make a copy. That copy shall be placed in the bio-hazard binder and the original will be submitted to the Administrative/Fiscal Assistant. A binder for both stations will be located in the Lieutenant’s office. Please ensure this guideline is followed moving forward:

• Receipt left by Bio-hazard collection company
• Station Personnel locate Binder
• Station Personnel ensure a copy of receipt is made and placed within the binder
• Station Personnel send original to FD Admin Assistants
• Station Personnel place binder back in the Lieutenant office

TRAINING:

Biomedical waste training will be scheduled as required by paragraph 64E-16.003(2)(a), F.A.C. Training sessions will detail compliance with this operating plan and with Chapter 64E-16, F.A.C. Training sessions will include all of the following activities that are carried out in our facility:

• Definition and Identification of Biomedical Waste
• Segregation
• Storage

Training for the activities that are carried out in our facility is outlined in Attachment A. Our facility must maintain records of employee training. Training records will be kept for participants in all training sessions for a minimum of three (3) years and will be available for review by Department of Health (DOH) inspectors. An example of an attendance record is appended in Attachment B.

DEFINITION, IDENTIFICATION, AND SEGREGATION OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE:

Biomedical waste is any solid or liquid waste which may present a threat of infection to humans. Biomedical waste is further defined in subsection 64E-16.002(2), F.A.C. If biomedical waste is in a liquid or semi-solid form and aerosol formation is minimal, the waste may be disposed into a sanitary sewer system or into another system approved to receive such waste by the Department of Environmental Protection or the DOH.

CONTAINMENT:

Red bags for containment of biomedical waste will comply with the required physical properties. Sharps will be placed into sharps containers at the point of origin. Filled red bags and filled sharps containers will be sealed at the point of origin. Red bags, sharps containers, and outer containers of biomedical waste, when sealed, will not be reopened in this facility. Ruptured or leaking packages of biomedical waste will be placed into a larger container without disturbing the original seal.

STORAGE:

When sealed, red bags, sharps containers, and outer containers will be stored in areas that are restricted through the use of locks, signs, or location. The 30-day storage time period will commence when the first non-sharps item of biomedical waste is placed into a red bag or sharps container, or when a sharps container that contains only sharps is sealed. Indoor biomedical waste storage areas will be constructed of smooth, easily cleanable materials that are impervious to liquids. These areas will be regularly maintained in a sanitary condition. The storage area will be vermin/insect free. Outdoor storage areas also will be conspicuously marked with a six-inch international biological hazard symbol and will be secure from vandalism.