COMPLIANCE INFO_1986-2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CA,;LIFORNIA INFECTIOUS ""ASTE REGULATIONS The State of Califomia has determined t infectious waste poses a health hazard based either upon the potential virulence of the waste item, or the sheer volume of material present. As a result, the new regulations apply to any health care facility which is licensed under one of the following categories: • General acute care hospital • Acute psychiatric hospital • Skilled nursing facility • Intermediate care facility • Intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled. It also encompasses any of the following primary care clinics defined and licensed under Chapter 1, Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code: • Community Clinics • Free Clinics • Employee Clinics Surgical Clinics _ • Chronic Dialysis Clinics • Rehabilitation Clinics These facilities have been included in the regulations due to the concentration of potentially harmful organisms in the waste products. Like the five categories above, these facilities are regulated regardless of the volume of material generated. Once waste has been identified as infectious, it must be segregated from all other waste at the point of origin and placed in double disposable plastic bags. The bags must be red in color and strong enough to pass the 165 gram dropped dart impact resistance test as prescribed by the American Society for Testing and Materials. Passing of this test must be certified by the bag manufacturer. The bags must be labeled with either the words "INFECTIOUS WASTE" or the international biohazard symbol and the word "BIOHAZARD." They must then be tied securely to prevent leakage or expulsion of the waste. Infectious sharps, including hypodermic needles, syringes and broken glass, must be contained in leakproof rigid containers. These containers must also be labeled with the words "Infectious Waste„ or with the international biohazard symbol and the word "BIOHAZARD." ainers not so labeled Must be double bagged as other infectious waste ore being e iscar e Storage and containment of infectious waste must be in an area that affords protection from the elements and animals, and does not provide a breeding place or a food source for insects or rodents. The area must be secured so as to deny access to unauthorized personnel and must be labeled with the words: "CAUTION—INFECTIOUS WASTE STORAGE AREA—UNAUTHORIZED PER® SONS KEEP OUT" in English, and in Spanish "CUIDADO—ZONA DE RESIDUOS INFEC- TADOS—PROHIBIDAAENTRAR PERSONAS NO AUTORIZADAS."