New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 7 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › Chapter 26 - SOLID WASTE › Subchapter 3A - REGULATED MEDICAL WASTE › Section 7:26-3A.38 - Temporary authorization to operate a regulated medical waste incinerator

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) This section applies only to and sets forth requirements for an authorization to operate an incinerator that accepts regulated medical waste for disposal.
(b) Notwithstanding the requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:26-2 and 2B, but subject to the requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:26-16, the owner or operator of an incinerator shall be authorized to operate that incinerator if the following requirements are met:
1. The owner or operator shall submit documentation as submitted to the Department demonstrating that the incinerator was in operation accepting regulated medical waste for disposal on or before March 6, 1989;
2. The owner or operator of the disposal facility continues to accept regulated medical waste for disposal;
3. The owner or operator registers and pays fees as a regulated medical waste destination facility in accordance with 7:26-3A.8;
4. The owner or operator of the facility shall have a current certificate to operate control apparatus or equipment pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:27;
5. The owner or operator shall be or is fully permitted pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26-2 and 2B prior to expiration of the facility's current certificate to operate control apparatus or equipment issued pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:27. For the purposes of the temporary authorization, any application for a renewal or extension of the current certificate shall be considered an expiration of the current certificate;
6. No waste shall be stored overnight at any facility without effective treatment to prevent odors associated with putrefaction;
7. Facility property surrounding the actual disposal area shall be maintained free of litter, debris, and accumulations of unprocessed waste, process residues and effluents. Methods of effectively controlling windblown papers and other lightweight materials such as fencing shall be implemented;
8. The operation of the facility shall not result in odors associated with solid waste being detected off site in any area of human occupancy;
9. The owner or operator shall maintain all facility systems and related appurtenances in a manner that facilitates proper operation and minimizes system downtime. When requested, the operator of the facility shall furnish proof that provisions have been made for the repair and replacement of equipment which becomes inoperative;
10. An adequate water supply and adequate fire-fighting equipment shall be maintained at the facility or be readily available to extinguish any and all types of fires. Fire-fighting procedures, including the telephone numbers of the local fire, police, ambulance and hospital facilities, shall be posted in and around the facility at all times;
11. The owner or operator shall effectively control insects, other arthropods and rodents at the facility by means of a program in compliance with the requirements of the New Jersey Pesticide Control Code, N.J.A.C. 7:30, and implemented by an applicator of pesticides, certified in accordance with the New Jersey Pesticide Control Code, N.J.A.C. 7:30;
12. The facility owner or operator shall be responsible for the sanitary condition and orderly operation of the area;
13. The Departments' inspectors shall have the right to enter and inspect any building or other portion of the facility, at any time. This right to inspect includes, but is not limited to:
i. Sampling any materials on site;
ii. Photographing any portion of the facility;
iii. Investigating an actual or suspected source of pollution of the environment;
iv. Ascertaining compliance or non-compliance with the statutes, rules or regulations of the Department, including conditions of the facility's authorization or permit issued by the Department; or
v. Reviewing and copying all applicable records, which shall be furnished upon request and made available at all reasonable times for inspection.
14. An operation and maintenance manual meeting the requirements of 7:26-2B.4(a)17  through 20 shall be maintained at the facility;
15. The owner or operator shall obtain or has obtained all applicable permits and approvals required by Federal, State, county and local ordinance;
16. The facility shall not pose a threat to the public health, safety or the environment; and
17. The facility shall only accept regulated medical waste from transporters who have NJDEP registration numbers and who have a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Department, unless the transporter is exempt from these requirements pursuant to 7:26-3A.17(a)  or unless the transporter is the U.S. Postal Service and the generator who has shipped the waste has complied with 7:26-3A.17(b).