Oregon Administrative Rules › Chapter 333 - OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY, PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION › Division 56 - INFECTIOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT › Section 333-056-0030 - Infectious Waste Treatment

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 7, July 1, 2024
(1)
			 Pathological wastes shall be treated by incineration in an incinerator that
			 provides complete combustion of waste to carbonized or mineralized ash.
			 However, if the Department of Environmental Quality determines that
			 incineration is not reasonably available within a wasteshed, pathological
			 wastes may be disposed of in the same manner provided for cultures and stocks.
(2) Cultures, stocks, sharps and
			 biological wastes must be treated using one of the following methods, as
			 delineated in subsections (2)(a), (b) and (c) of this rule:
(a) Treated via incineration. If incineration
			 is utilized, it shall be done in compliance with all applicable rules
			 established by the Environmental Quality Commission;
(b) Sterilization with saturated steam in a
			 pressurized vessel. If this method is employed, a vessel dedicated to
			 infectious waste treatment must be utilized. Operating procedures which must be
			 developed and implemented shall include at least the following:
(A) Adoption of standard written operating
			 procedures for each steam sterilizer including time, temperature, pressure,
			 type of waste, type of container(s), type of closure on container(s), pattern
			 of loading, and maximum load quantity. The manufacturer's recommendations shall
			 be taken into account;
(B) Methods
			 for monitoring recording or temperature measuring devices during each complete
			 cycle to ensure that the manufacturer's recommended temperature is attained for
			 the recommended amount of time in order to achieve sterilization of the entire
			 load. Temperature measuring devices shall be checked for calibration at least
			 annually;
(C) Methods for using
			 heat sensitive tape or other device designed to indicate attainment of adequate
			 sterilization conditions, for each container;
(D) Methods for at least monthly use of the
			 biological indicator Bacillus stearothermophilus, or equivalent, placed at the
			 center of a load processed under standard operating conditions, to confirm the
			 attainment of adequate sterilization conditions;
(E) Methods for maintenance of records
			 pertaining to paragraphs (2)(a)(A), (B) and (D) of this rule. These records
			 shall be maintained and available for Division review for a period of not less
			 than one year.
(c)
			 Treated by other methods that meet the following criteria:
(A) The specific processes of the method have
			 been tested under the conditions in which the method would be used in Oregon
			 for the treatment of infectious waste. Such testing has demonstrated that the
			 method is effective in rendering infectious agents non-infectious by showing
			 bactericidal efficacy against at least spore-forming bacteria and a
			 Mycobacterium. The testing methodology, test results, and documentation thereof
			 must be considered scientifically valid by the Division. The determination of
			 validity requires, but is not limited to:
(i)
			 The testing methodology follows basic scientific principles or objectivity and
			 is fully documented;
(ii) The
			 results of the testing are fully documented. Raw data are made available to the
			 Division if they are requested by the Division;
(iii) The testing has been done by a
			 scientist(s) with an advanced degree in microbiology and with a record of
			 having published scientific research results in a peer reviewed journal;
(iv) The report of the testing
			 methodology and results, together with the statement "This report is an
			 accurate and complete account of the test methods I performed and the test
			 results I obtained" have been signed by the scientist(s) who performed the
			 testing; and
(B) Any
			 discharges into air or water and any solid waste resulting from the method meet
			 the requirements of the laws and administrative rules of the Oregon Department
			 of Environmental Quality; or
(C)
			 The Environmental Quality Commission has approved the method and has accepted
			 that method by administrative rule.