Hazardous Materials Regulations and Classes

Questions and Answers

Which agencies have regulations that cover Regulated Medical Waste? (Select all that apply)

US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (correct)

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (correct)

Environmental Protection Agency

US Department of Transportation (correct)

Who is a hazardous material employee?

Employees that load, unload, or handle hazardous materials, prepare hazardous materials for transportation, and sign waste transport manifest papers.

What is required of all hazardous material employees?

Training every 3 years

What is the difference between classes and divisions in hazardous materials?

Class represents the risk presented by dangerous goods, while division indicates subhazards. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the 9 US DOT Hazmat Classes.

Class 1 - Explosives, Class 2 - Compressed Gases, Class 3 - Flammable Liquids, Class 4 - Flammable Solids, Class 5 - Oxidizers, Class 6 - Toxics/Poisons, DIV 6.2 - Infectious Substances, Class 7 - Radioactive Materials, Class 8 - Corrosives, Class 9 - Misc Hazardous Materials. Signup and view all the answers

What are packing groups and describe the 3 groups.

Packing groups indicate the degree of danger presented by Hazmat: PG I - Great danger, most protective packaging; PG II - Medium danger; PG III - Least danger, least protective packaging. Signup and view all the answers

What is the proper marking for medical waste transportation?

Medical waste should be labeled with the biohazard marking. Signup and view all the answers

What classification and packing group does medical waste fall under?

Division 6.2 and Packing Group II. Signup and view all the answers

What is regulated medical waste according to DOT?

A waste or reusable material derived from the medical treatment of an animal or human, including diagnosis and immunization or from biomedical research. Signup and view all the answers

What is regulated medical waste according to OSHA?

Liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious materials, contaminated items that would release blood, items caked with dried blood, contaminated sharps, and microbiological wastes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a sharp according to DOT?

Any object that is capable of cutting or penetrating skin or packaging material and may be contaminated with a pathogen. Signup and view all the answers

What must be done before placing a sharps container into the medical waste box?

Sharps containers must be closed securely. Signup and view all the answers

How should medical waste be packaged for shipping?

Utilize a biological waste box or reusable red tub with a red liner, close the liner securely, affix a shipping label, and close the box properly. Signup and view all the answers

What are two requirements for completing a shipping manifest?

Total quantity of material shipped and must be signed legibly by a trained employee. Signup and view all the answers

What does the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard require?

Annual training on HBV and HIV and other bloodborne pathogens. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Regulatory Agencies

Regulations for Regulated Medical Waste are established by the US Department of Transportation, US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Hazardous Material Employees

Hazardous material employees are those who handle, load, unload, prepare for transport, or sign off on hazardous materials transport manifest papers.

Employee Training Requirement

All hazardous material employees are mandated to complete training every 3 years to ensure compliance and safety.

Classes and Divisions of Hazmat

Classes denote the primary hazards of dangerous goods, which can belong to multiple classes.
Divisions specify subhazards associated with each class.

US DOT Hazmat Classes

Class 1: Explosives
Class 2: Compressed Gases
Class 3: Flammable Liquids
Class 4: Flammable Solids
Class 5: Oxidizers
Class 6: Toxics/Poisons (including Division 6.2: Infectious Substances)
Class 7: Radioactive Materials
Class 8: Corrosives
Class 9: Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials

Packing Groups

Packing Groups categorize the degree of danger:
- PG I: Great danger, requires most protective packaging.
- PG II: Medium danger.
- PG III: Least danger, requires minimal protective packaging.

Medical Waste Markings

Medical waste transported by a vendor must be clearly marked with biohazard labels. Infectious disease markings are not needed for vendor transport.

Medical Waste Classification

Medical waste is classified under Division 6.2, with a Packing Group of II.

Definition of Regulated Medical Waste (DOT)

Defined as waste from the medical treatment of humans or animals, including diagnosis, immunization, or biomedical research.

Definition of Regulated Medical Waste (OSHA)

Includes liquid/semi-liquid blood, contaminated items capable of releasing infectious materials, dried blood-covered items, contaminated sharps, and pathological/microbiological waste.

Definition of Sharps (DOT)

Sharps are objects capable of cutting or penetrating skin that are contaminated, including needles, scalpels, broken glass, and other similar items.

Sharps Container Protocol

Sharps containers must be securely closed before placement in medical waste boxes to prevent spills.

Medical Waste Packaging for Shipping

Use a biological waste box or reusable red tub with a red liner that is in good condition and not overloaded.
Secure the red liner with a single knot and attach a shipping label with the generator's name and address.
Close the box by folding and locking its tabs.

Shipping Manifest Requirements

Shipping manifests must include the total quantity of material shipped (number of boxes) and must be signed legibly by a trained employee.

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

Requires annual training on Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and other bloodborne pathogens to maintain workplace safety.

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Description

This quiz covers the regulations and classifications related to hazardous materials as defined by various regulatory agencies. It also emphasizes the requirements for employee training and the different classes and divisions of hazardous materials. Test your knowledge on the essential components of hazmat handling and compliance.