The Biomedical Waste Operating Plan form serves as a structured guide for facilities managing biomedical waste, outlining necessary procedures and compliance requirements. This plan is essential for ensuring the safe handling, storage, and disposal of biomedical waste, which poses potential health risks. By following the guidelines set forth in this document, facilities can promote a safer environment for both staff and the community.
The Biomedical Waste Operating Plan form serves as a crucial tool for facilities managing biomedical waste, ensuring compliance with state regulations and promoting safe practices. This comprehensive document includes a sample operating plan, instructions, and essential resources to guide facilities in their waste management efforts. It outlines key sections such as the definition, identification, and segregation of biomedical waste, which are fundamental for maintaining safety and preventing contamination. Additionally, the form emphasizes the importance of training personnel, detailing the necessary procedures for handling spills, and providing guidelines for proper containment and labeling of waste. Facilities are encouraged to document their waste management processes, including the storage and transport of biomedical waste, and to develop contingency plans for emergencies. By following the structured approach laid out in the plan, facilities can not only adhere to the Florida Administrative Code but also foster a culture of safety and responsibility in their operations.
1. What is the purpose of the Biomedical Waste Operating Plan?
The Biomedical Waste Operating Plan serves as a guide for facilities to manage biomedical waste properly. It outlines the requirements set forth in Chapter 64E-16 of the Florida Administrative Code and section 381.0098 of the Florida Statutes. By following this plan, facilities can ensure they handle biomedical waste safely and in compliance with state regulations.
2. Who needs to complete the Biomedical Waste Operating Plan?
Any facility that generates biomedical waste must complete the Biomedical Waste Operating Plan. This includes hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and any other organization that produces waste that may pose a threat of infection to humans. While using this plan format is voluntary, it can help facilities meet the necessary compliance requirements.
3. What types of training are required for personnel handling biomedical waste?
Personnel must receive training that covers several key areas, including the definition and identification of biomedical waste, segregation, storage, labeling, and transportation procedures. Training should also include how to decontaminate spills and a contingency plan for emergencies. Records of this training must be maintained for at least three years and be available for inspection by health authorities.
4. How should biomedical waste be labeled and stored?
Biomedical waste must be labeled clearly to indicate its hazardous nature. This labeling helps ensure that all staff members recognize the potential risks. For storage, the waste should be kept in a designated area that is washable, out of client traffic areas, and access should be restricted to authorized personnel only. Proper storage prevents contamination and protects the health of both staff and clients.
5. What should I do in case of a biomedical waste spill?
In the event of a biomedical waste spill, facilities must have a clear procedure in place for decontamination. This includes using appropriate cleaning products and following safety protocols to ensure the area is safe for personnel and clients. The Biomedical Waste Operating Plan should outline specific steps and materials to be used in case of such incidents.
6. How can I find a registered biomedical waste transporter?
To find a registered biomedical waste transporter, you can visit the Florida Department of Health's website. They maintain a list of approved transporters who can safely handle and dispose of biomedical waste. It’s essential to ensure that your facility uses a compliant transporter to avoid legal issues and ensure proper waste management.
7. What documentation is required for compliance?
Facilities must keep various documents to ensure compliance with the Biomedical Waste Operating Plan. This includes training records, documentation for the construction standards of red bags, transport logs, and copies of inspections from the last three years. Keeping these records organized and accessible is crucial for demonstrating compliance during inspections.
8. Can I use my own red bags for biomedical waste?
Facilities must use red bags that meet specific construction requirements outlined in Chapter 64E-16, Florida Administrative Code. If you choose to use your own red bags, they must be from a manufacturer listed by the Department of Health or must have independent laboratory results confirming compliance. If your facility does not use red bags, simply indicate "N/A" in the appropriate section of the plan.
Key Takeaways for the Biomedical Waste Operating Plan Form:
Misconception 1: The Biomedical Waste Operating Plan is mandatory.
Many believe that using this plan format is a requirement. In reality, it is voluntary. The Department of Health provides it as a helpful resource for facilities to meet compliance standards.
Misconception 2: All biomedical waste must be disposed of in red bags.
While red bags are common for biomedical waste, not all facilities are required to use them. If a facility opts for a different method, they can indicate that in the plan.
Misconception 3: Training records do not need to be maintained.
Some think that keeping training records is optional. However, it is essential to maintain these records for at least three years for review by inspectors.
Misconception 4: The plan does not need to be updated.
Facilities may assume that once the plan is completed, it remains unchanged. In fact, updates are necessary whenever there are changes in procedures or regulations.
Misconception 5: The Biomedical Waste Operating Plan only applies to hospitals.
This plan is not limited to hospitals. Any facility generating biomedical waste, including clinics and laboratories, must adhere to the guidelines outlined in the plan.
Misconception 6: There is no need for a contingency plan.
Some facilities overlook the importance of a contingency plan. This plan is crucial for addressing emergencies related to biomedical waste spills or leaks.
Jeb Bush
M. Rony François, M.D., M.S.P.H., Ph.D.
Governor
Secretary
____________________________________________________________________________________________
BIOMEDICAL WASTE
PACKET
(Revised October 5, 2005)
CONTENTS:
1.Sample BIOMEDICAL WASTE OPERATING PLAN (DOH/MCHD) (with Instructions & Valuable Websites).
2.Recommended procedure;
DECONTAMINATING BIOMEDICAL WASTE SPILLS
3.Recommended: “SPILL KIT” CONTENTS
4.Chapter 64E-16; Florida Administrative Code (FAC)
5.Florida Department of Health
“Application for Biomedical Waste Generator Permit/Exemption”
6.Sample “Attachment A”
Biomedical Waste Training Outline
7.Two Samples of “Attachment B”
Biomedical Waste Training Attendance
8.Order Blank for Biomedical Waste Training Video
Aug-06
Manatee County Health Department
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
410Sixth Avenue East • Bradenton 34208-1928 PHONE (941) 748-0747 • FAX (941) 750-9364
BIOMEDICAL WASTE OPERATING PLAN
FACILITY NAME (1)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.DIRECTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE BIOMEDICAL WASTE PLAN
II.PURPOSE
III.TRAINING FOR PERSONNEL
IV. DEFINITION, IDENTIFICATION, AND SEGREGATION OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE
V.CONTAINMENT
VI. LABELING VII. STORAGE VIII. TRANSPORT
IX. PROCEDURE FOR DECONTAMINATING BIOMEDICAL WASTE SPILLS
X.CONTINGENCY PLAN XI. BRANCH OFFICES XII. MISCELLANEOUS
ATTACHMENT A: BIOMEDICAL WASTE TRAINING OUTLINE
ATTACHMENT B: BIOMEDICAL WASTE TRAINING ATTENDANCE
ATTACHMENT C: PLAN FOR TREATMENT OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE (Not Included; Available upon request)
Use of this plan format is voluntary and not required by the Department of Health. It is provided as a service to assist biomedical waste facilities in complying with the requirements of Chapter 64E-16, F.A.C.
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I. DIRECTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE BIOMEDICAL WASTE PLAN
Blank 1: Enter the name of your facility.
Blank 2: Enter where you keep your employee training records.
Blank 3: List the items of biomedical waste that are produced in your facility and the location where each waste item is generated.
Blank 4: Enter the name of the manufacturer of your facility’s red bags. This company must be
on the Department of Health (DOH) list of compliant red bags (this list can be obtained from the following website: www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/biomedical/red_bags.htm) or from your DOH biomedical waste coordinator OR you must have results supplied by the bag manufacturer from an independent laboratory that indicate that your red bags meet the
bag construction requirements of Chapter 64E-16, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). If your facility does not use red bags, enter N/A.
Blank 5: Indicate where the documentation for the construction standards of your facility’s red bags is kept. or if your facility does not use red bags, enter N/A.
Blank 6: Indicate where unused, red biomedical waste bags are kept in operational areas (not in stock or in central storage) so that working staff can get them quickly when they need them. If your facility does not use red bags, enter N/A.
Blank 7: Enter the place where your biomedical waste is stored. 1.How is this area “Washable”?
2.Is this area “Out of the Client Traffic Area” (how)? 3. How is this area’s access restricted? If your biomedical waste is picked up by a licensed biomedical waste transporter
but you have no storage area, indicate your procedure for preparing your biomedical waste for pick-up. If you have no pick-up and no storage area, enter N/A.
Blank 8: Enter all the required information about your registered biomedical waste transporter. The website www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/biomedical/transporters.htm has a list of such transporters. If you do not use a transporter, enter N/A.
Blank 9: Enter the name(s) of the employee(s) designated to transport your facility’s untreated biomedical waste to another facility. If your facility does not transport your own biomedical waste, enter N/A.
Blank 10: Enter the name of the facility to which your facility transports your own untreated biomedical waste. If your facility does not transport your own biomedical waste, enter N/A.
Blank 11: Describe the procedure and products your facility will use to decontaminate a spill or leak of biomedical waste.
Blank 12: Enter the required information about the registered biomedical waste transporter who will transport your biomedical waste on a contingency basis.
Blank 13: If personnel from your facility also work at a branch office of your facility, enter the name of the branch office. If you have no branch office, enter N/A.
Blank 14: Enter the street address, city, and state of the branch office named in (13). If you have no branch office, enter N/A.
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Blank 15: Enter the weekdays the branch office named in (13) is open. If you have no branch office, enter N/A.
Blank 16: Enter the normal work hours for each day the branch office named in (13) is open. If you have no branch office, enter N/A.
Blank 17: Indicate where a copy of this biomedical waste operating plan will be kept in your facility.
Blank 18: Indicate where the current biomedical waste permit or exemption document will be kept in your facility.
Blank 19: Indicate where your facility will keep its current copy of the biomedical waste rules, Chapter 64E-16, F.A.C.
Blank 20: Indicate where your facility will keep copies of its biomedical waste inspections from at least the last three (3) years.
Blank 21: If your facility transports your own biomedical waste, indicate where your transport log is kept. If you do not transport your own biomedical waste, enter N/A.
Attachment A: Activities addressed should be those from Section III that are carried out in your facility.
Attachment B: Enter the required information to document training sessions.
Attachment C: To be completed only if your facility treats biomedical waste. If your facility has untreated biomedical waste removed by a registered transporter or you transport your own untreated waste, do not complete this attachment.
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The purpose of this Biomedical Waste Operating Plan is to provide guidance and describe requirements for the proper management of biomedical waste in our facility. Guidelines for management of biomedical waste are found in Chapter 64E-16, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), and in section 381.0098, Florida Statutes.
III. TRAINING FOR PERSONNEL
Biomedical waste training will be scheduled as required by paragraph 64E- 16.003(2)(a), F.A.C. Training sessions will detail compliance with this operating plan and with Chapter 64E-16, F.A.C. Training sessions will include all of the following activities that are carried out in our facility:
Definition and Identification of Biomedical Waste Segregation
Storage
Labeling
Transport
Procedure for Decontaminating Biomedical Waste Spills Contingency Plan for Emergency Transport Procedure for Containment
Treatment Method
Training for the activities that are carried out in our facility is outlined in Attachment A.
Our facility must maintain records of employee training. These records will be kept
(2)
Training records will be kept for participants in all training sessions for a minimum of three (3) years and will be available for review by Department of Health (DOH) inspectors. An example of an attendance record is appended in Attachment B.
IV. DEFINITION, IDENTIFICATION, AND SEGREGATION OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE Biomedical waste is any solid or liquid waste which may present a threat of infection
to humans. Biomedical waste is further defined in subsection 64E-16.002(2), F.A.C.
Items of sharps and non-sharps biomedical waste generated in this facility and the
locations at which they are generated are:
(3)
If biomedical waste is in a liquid or semi-solid form and aerosol formation is minimal, the waste may be disposed into a sanitary sewer system or into another system approved to receive such waste by the Department of Environmental Protection or the DOH.
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Red bags for containment of biomedical waste will comply with the required physical properties.
Our red bags are manufactured by
(4)
Our documentation of red bag construction standards is kept
(5)
Working staff can quickly get red bags at
(6)
Sharps will be placed into sharps containers at the point of origin.
Filled red bags and filled sharps containers will be sealed at the point of origin. Red bags, sharps containers, and outer containers of biomedical waste, when sealed, will not be reopened in this facility. Ruptured or leaking packages of biomedical waste will be placed into a larger container without disturbing the original seal.
VI. LABELING
All sealed biomedical waste red bags and sharps containers will be labeled with this facility’s name and address prior to offsite transport. If a sealed red bag or sharps container is placed into a larger red bag prior to transport, placing the facility’s name and address only on the exterior bag is sufficient.
Outer containers must be labeled with our transporter’s name, address, registration number, and 24-hour phone number.
VII. STORAGE
When sealed, red bags, sharps containers, and outer containers will be stored in areas that are restricted through the use of locks, signs, or location. The 30-day storage time period will commence when the first non-sharps item of biomedical waste is placed into a red bag or sharps container, or when a sharps container that contains only sharps is sealed.
Indoor biomedical waste storage areas will be constructed of smooth, easily cleanable materials that are impervious to liquids. These areas will be regularly maintained in a sanitary condition. The storage area will be vermin/insect free. Outdoor storage areas also will be conspicuously marked with a six-inch international biological hazard symbol and will be secure from vandalism.
Biomedical waste will be stored and restricted in the following manner:
(7)
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VIII. TRANSPORT
We will negotiate for the transport of biomedical waste only with a DOH-registered company. If we contract with such a company, we will have on file the pick-up receipts provided to us for the last three (3) years. Transport for our facility is provided by:
a.The following registered biomedical waste transporter: Company name (8)
Address
Phone
Registration number
Place pick-up receipts are kept
OR
b. An employee of this facility who works under the following guidelines:
We will transport our own biomedical waste. For tracking purposes, we will maintain a log of all biomedical waste transported by any employee for the last three (3) years. The log will contain waste amounts, dates, and documentation that the waste was accepted by a permitted facility. Name of employee(s) who is(are) assigned transport duty:
(9)
Biomedical waste will be transported to: (10)
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IX. PROCEDURE FOR DECONTAMINATING BIOMEDICAL WASTE SPILLS (11)
X.CONTINGENCY PLAN
If our registered biomedical waste transporter is unable to transport this facility’s biomedical waste, or if we are unable temporarily to treat our own waste, then the following registered biomedical waste transporter will be contacted:
Company name (12)
XI. BRANCH OFFICES
The personnel at our facility work at the following branch offices during the days and times indicated:
1)Office name (13) Office address (14)
Days of operation (15) Hours of operation (16)
2)Office name (13) Office address (14)
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XII. MISCELLANEOUS
For easy access by all of our staff, a copy of this biomedical waste operating plan will be kept in the following place:
(17)
The following items will be kept where indicated:
a.Current DOH biomedical waste permit/ exemption document (18)
b.Current copy of Chapter 64E-16, F.A.C. (19)
c.Copies of biomedical waste inspection reports from last three (3) years (20)
d.Transport log (21)
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Facility Name:
Trainer’s Name:
Outline:
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How to Get Ged in Michigan - It is important to provide alternative address options for transcripts.
In addition to understanding the basic components of the Indiana Boat Bill of Sale form, it is essential for both buyers and sellers to familiarize themselves with the resources available for completing these transactions effectively, such as the Vessel Bill of Sale, which provides guidance on creating a legally binding document that meets all necessary requirements.
Broward Animal Care - Indicate the size and predominant breed of the animal for accurate records.
Incomplete Facility Information: Failing to provide the complete name and address of the facility can lead to confusion and delays. Ensure that all identifying information is accurate and complete.
Neglecting Employee Training Records: It's crucial to specify where employee training records are kept. Omitting this information can result in non-compliance during inspections.
Incorrect Waste Item Listing: Listing biomedical waste items inaccurately or omitting them entirely can pose serious risks. Clearly identify each type of waste and its source within the facility.
Failure to Identify Red Bag Manufacturer: Not including the name of the red bag manufacturer or failing to verify its compliance can lead to regulatory issues. Always check that the manufacturer is on the Department of Health's approved list.
Insufficient Storage Information: Providing vague or incomplete details about the storage area for biomedical waste can be problematic. Clearly describe how the area is washable, out of client traffic, and restricted in access.
Omitting Transport Details: Failing to provide information about the registered biomedical waste transporter can lead to logistical challenges. Ensure that all transporter details are accurately recorded.
When filling out the Biomedical Waste Operating Plan form, consider the following dos and don'ts to ensure accuracy and compliance.
The Biomedical Waste Operating Plan form shares similarities with the Hazardous Waste Management Plan. Both documents aim to ensure the safe handling, storage, and disposal of waste materials that could pose risks to human health and the environment. The Hazardous Waste Management Plan outlines procedures for identifying, classifying, and managing hazardous waste, much like the Biomedical Waste Operating Plan details the identification and segregation of biomedical waste. Both plans require training for personnel involved in waste management and emphasize the importance of compliance with applicable regulations. Furthermore, they both include sections on contingency planning for spills and emergencies, ensuring that facilities are prepared for unexpected incidents.
Another comparable document is the Infection Control Plan. This plan focuses on preventing the spread of infections within healthcare settings, similar to how the Biomedical Waste Operating Plan addresses the risks associated with biomedical waste. Both documents emphasize staff training and the importance of proper waste segregation to minimize infection risks. Additionally, they outline procedures for handling and disposing of potentially infectious materials, ensuring that facilities maintain a safe environment for patients and staff. The Infection Control Plan also includes guidelines for responding to spills and other emergencies, paralleling the contingency planning aspect of the Biomedical Waste Operating Plan.
The Environmental Management Plan is also similar to the Biomedical Waste Operating Plan. This document provides guidelines for managing various types of waste generated by a facility, including biomedical waste. Both plans require facilities to identify the types of waste produced and to implement procedures for safe storage and disposal. They also emphasize the need for training staff on proper waste management practices. Furthermore, both plans incorporate compliance with relevant regulations, ensuring that facilities adhere to environmental standards and promote public health and safety.
When managing financial agreements, it is essential to have clear documentation, much like the detailed plans used in biomedical waste management. A promissory note, such as the one outlined in the Promissory Note, serves to define the terms and expectations for all parties involved, ensuring that obligations are understood and fulfilled effectively.
Lastly, the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is another relevant document. While it serves a different purpose, it contains critical information regarding the handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials, including biomedical waste. The SDS provides details on potential hazards, necessary precautions, and emergency response measures, which align with the objectives of the Biomedical Waste Operating Plan. Both documents emphasize the importance of training staff to understand the risks associated with the materials they handle and the appropriate actions to take in case of an emergency. This ensures that personnel are informed and prepared to manage biomedical waste safely and effectively.