Hazardous Materials Regulations and Classes

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.

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.