R315-316-3. Storage and Containment Requirements

(1) Infectious waste shall be contained in a manner and location which affords protection from animal intrusion, does not provide a breeding place or a food source for insects or rodents, and minimizes exposure to the public.

(2) Unless all waste is considered infectious and labeled as such, infectious waste shall be segregated by separate containment from other waste during storage.

(3) Except for sharps, infectious waste shall be contained in plastic bags or inside rigid containers. The bags shall be securely tied and the containers shall be securely sealed to prevent leakage or expulsion of solid or liquid wastes during storage or handling.

(4) Sharps shall be contained for storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal in leak-proof, rigid, puncture-resistant containers which are taped closed or tightly lidded to preclude loss of contents.

(5) All infectious waste containers should be red or orange and shall be clearly identified with the international biohazard sign and one of the following labels: "INFECTIOUS WASTE", "BIOMEDICAL WASTE", or "BIOHAZARD".

(6) If other waste is placed in the same container as infectious waste, then the generator must package, label, and mark the container and its entire contents as infectious waste.

(7) A rigid infectious waste container may be reused for infectious or non-infectious waste if it is thoroughly washed and decontaminated each time it is emptied or if the surfaces of the container have been completely protected from contamination by disposable, unpunctured, or undamaged liners, bags, or other devices that are removed with the infectious waste, the surface of the liner has not been damaged or punctured.

(8) Storage and containment areas shall: protect infectious waste from the elements; be ventilated to the outside atmosphere; be accessible only to authorized persons; and be marked with prominent warning signs on, or adjacent to, the exterior doors or gates. The warning signs shall contain the international biohazard sign and shall state: "CAUTION -- INFECTIOUS WASTE STORAGE AREA -- UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS KEEP OUT" and must be easily read during daylight from a distance of 25 feet.

(9) If infectious waste is stored longer than seven days, the infectious waste shall be stored at or below a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius).

(10) Under no conditions may infectious waste be stored for longer than 60 days.

(11) Compactors, grinders, or similar devices shall not be used to reduce the volume of infectious waste unless the device is contained sufficiently to prevent contamination of the surrounding area.