Kansas

Medical Services Waste

Managing Medical Services Waste
OSHA Regulations
Statutes, Regulations and Guidelines
Contacts
More Information

Definition of Medical Services Waste

Medical services wastes are those solid waste materials which are potentially capable of causing disease or injury and which are generated in connection with human or animal care through inpatient and outpatient services. Medical services waste shall not include any solid waste that has been classified as a hazardous waste, or that is radioactive treatment material.

Managing Medical Services Waste

Segregation
All medical services waste shall be segregated from other solid wastes at the point of origin.

Storage
All medical services waste shall be stored in a manner and in a container that will prevent the transmission of disease or the causing of injury. Hypodermic needles and syringes, scalpel blades, suture needles, or other sharp objects shall be stored only in a rigid, puncture-resistant container that has been closed to prevent the escape of any material, including liquids or aerosols. All reusable containers used to store infectious waste shall be cleaned and disinfected before each use.

Containment/Labeling
The medical services waste must be placed in containers that are closable, constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage of fluids, and closed prior to removal. The containers must be labeled or color-coded in accordance with the federal Bloodborne Pathogens requirements. The labels must have the BIOHAZARD legend. Red bags or red containers may be substituted for labels.

Collection
Medical services wastes shall be collected at least daily from the point of origin for transport to a storage or disposal area or a processing facility. Personnel shall take precautions to prevent accidental contact with the waste during transfer.

Transportation
All medical services wastes transported off-site shall be transported in a manner that will prevent the spread of disease or the causing of injury to persons.

The waste transporter or disposal firm shall be notified of the types of waste.

Containers of medical services waste transported off-site shall be labeled or color-coded in accordance with the federal Bloodborne Pathogens requirements.

Processing
In all processing of medical services waste, dispersal of aerosols and liquids

shall be prevented through the use of proper coverings, seals, and ventilation. Personnel shall be protected against contact with the waste through the use of protective clothing and equipment. Medical services waste that has been processed may be combined with other solid waste. Where feasible, all medical services wastes shall be processed before transportation off-site by using either of the following methods:

• Sterilizing infectious wastes by autoclaving or chemical treatment, to destroy the disease/transmission potential; or
• Grinding, melting, or pulverizing sharp objects to destroy their injury producing potential.

Disposal
If the potential to cause disease or injury is removed, then the waste can be mixed with general solid waste and transported to a Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (MSWLF). If the medical waste is not processed:

• The facility may obtain a Special Waste Disposal Authorization and transport the medical waste separately to a MSWLF; or
• The facility may contract with a medical waste company for transportation and disposal of the medical waste to a MSWLF (with SWDA) or to a permitted medical waste processing facility.

Medical services waste shall be disposed of in a manner that minimizes the risk to health, safety, or the environment. The following shall be considered acceptable disposal methods:

• Discharge of liquids to a sanitary sewer that is connected to a secondary sewage treatment plant;
• Incineration of combustible solids, followed by disposal of the ash in a sanitary landfill;
• Disposal in a properly permitted hazardous waste disposal facility; or
• Disposal in an approved sanitary landfill

OSHA Regulations: VetCA OSHA State Page

In addition to the state medical waste environmental regulations there are some Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules that apply to medical/infectious waste.  Kansas is one of 26 states covered entirely by the federal OSHA program.  This program is operated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.  OSHA rules (Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Standards) impact various aspects of medical/infectious waste, including management of sharps, requirements for containers that hold or store medical/infectious waste, labeling of medical/infectious waste bags/containers, and employee training.  These requirements can be found in the VetCA section entitled OSHA Standards for Regulated Waste.

Statutes, Regulations and Guidelines

Kansas Administrative Regulations, Article 29 - Solid Waste Management

Contacts

Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Bureau of Waste Management

Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Bureau of Air and Radiation

More Information

Kansas Medical Services Waste Guidance Document