Maryland

Regulated
Medical Waste

Definition of Special Medical Waste
Managing Regulated Medical Waste
OSHA Regulations
Statutes, Regulations and Guidelines
Contacts
More Information

• Special medical waste is a solid waste that is composed of:
• Anatomical material, which is human or animal body parts, including tissues and organs;
• Blood (human or animal);
• Blood-soiled articles, which means any article that contains blood in any form as a result of contact with blood;
• Contaminated material which means:
  • Microbiological laboratory waste;
  • The feces of an individual diagnosed as having a disease that may be transmitted to another human being through the feces;
  • An article soiled with the feces of an individual diagnosed as having a disease that may be transmitted to another human being through the feces; or
  • An article that has come into contact with a known infectious agent.
• Microbiological laboratory waste, which means waste from a microbiological laboratory that contains an infectious agent and includes cultures and stocks of infectious agents and associated biologicals; or
• Sharps, which means a syringe, needle, surgical instrument, or other article that is capable of cutting or puncturing human skin.

• Household waste;
• Wastes generated in the handling of an animal unless the generator knows or has reason to know that the animal has a disease that is capable of being transmitted to humans;
• The ash or by-product from an incinerator authorized by a state to burn special medical waste; and
• Wastes not generated in the ordinary course of business.

• Determining whether or not the generator has special medical waste;
• Obtaining an identification number
• Record keeping;
• Additional reporting; and
• Applicable requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulations.

• A generator who has not received a Maryland identification number may obtain one by applying to the Secretary. Upon receiving the request the Secretary will assign an identification number to the generator.
• A generator may not offer his special medical waste to transporters that have not received a Maryland identification number.

• Packaging: Before transporting or offering for transport, the generator shall:
  • Place blood or blood-soiled article in a container that will prevent blood from spilling or otherwise leaving the container;
  • Place anatomical materials in a leak proof bag or bags with a combined thickness of at least 3 mils or equivalent strength, and place the bag or bags in a clearly labeled rigid container to protect the bag or bags from puncture;
  • Place a sharp in a container which is impervious to puncture; and
  • Comply with any regulation by the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene, and other applicable regulations that are intended to ensure safety in handling infectious agents.
• Labeling: Before transporting or offering special medical waste for transportation off-site, a generator shall:
  • Label each package with the generator identification number and the words, "Special Medical Waste"; and
  • Ensure that the label is clearly visible.
• Treating: If a generator treats special medical waste before transporting or offering for transport, then the generator may treat the special medical waste only as provided in the regulations.
• Disposal of Sharps: A generator may not dispose of sharps in a solid waste landfill unless the generator incinerates the sharps or first sterilizes and then mechanically destroys the sharps.

• Autoclaving;
• Chemical disinfection;
• Cremation;
• Disinfection;
• Mechanical destruction after decontamination; or
• An alternative method that meets the criteria of the regulations.

• Encapsulation;
• Incineration;
• Mechanical destruction after decontamination; or
• An alternative method that meets the criteria of the regulations.

• Burying;
• Depositing in a facility approved by local ordinance to accept the type of solid waste being disposed; or
• Incineration.

• Generators shall keep a copy of each annual report and exception report for a period of at least 3 years from the date of the report.
• Generators shall keep records of any test results, waste analyses, or other determinations made in accordance with the regulations for at least 3 years from the date that the waste was last sent to on-site or off-site treatment, storage, or disposal.
• The periods of retention are extended automatically during the course of any unresolved enforcement action regarding the regulated activity or as requested by the Secretary.
• Additional Reporting. The Secretary, as the Secretary deems necessary, may require generators to furnish additional reports concerning the quantities and disposition of special medical wastes.

• A transporter may not transport special medical wastes without having received a State identification number from the Secretary.
• A person may not transport special medical waste to a facility within the State or from a source within the State unless the person obtains a certificate from the Department. A special medical waste hauler certificate is required of persons engaged in transporting special medical wastes.
• Transporters using vehicles or articulated transports to transport special medical waste to a facility within the State or from a source within the State shall:
  • Display prominently the vehicle certificate; or
  • Affix the vehicle certificate to the outside of the left door of the cab of the special medical waste vehicle.

• The facility designated by the generator;
• An alternate facility designated by the generator, if the special medical waste cannot be delivered to the designated facility because an emergency prevents delivery;
• Next designated transporter; or
• Place outside the United States designated by the generator.