Virginia Law

A. The requirements of this section apply to the transportation of regulated medical waste including by intermediate transporters and generators who transport their own waste offsite.

B. All transporters of regulated medical waste must comply with the general handling requirements in 9VAC20-121-100.

C. Regulated medical waste shall be transported in accordance with the applicable requirements for shipping papers, packaging, labeling, marking and vehicle placarding in accordance with the U.S. Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulations, 49 CFR Parts 171 through 180. No person shall transport or receive for transport any regulated medical waste that is not packaged and labeled fully in accordance with the U.S. Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulations. Reusable carts or containers used to transport regulated medical waste shall meet the requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulations and must be sealed, puncture resistant, and leak proof.

D. Transportation of regulated medical waste shall maintain the packaging in an upright and stable configuration to minimize the potential for spills. The integrity of the containers must not be compromised by the stacking arrangement.

E. All vehicles and equipment used in the transportation of regulated medical waste must have access control that limits access to those persons specifically designated to manage regulated medical waste, and the cargo carrying body must be secured except when loading and unloading.

F. Surfaces of vehicles and equipment used to transport regulated medical waste must be clean and impermeable to liquids if those areas are involved with the management of the waste. Carpets and floor coverings with cracks or gaps shall not be used. Vehicles used to transport regulated medical waste shall be clean and maintained in an orderly condition, free of standing liquid and debris, in those areas involved with the management of the waste.

G. Storage, transport, and transfer to, from, and between vehicles and equipment shall be under a cover or packaged in a container that protects the waste from the elements and over a floor or bermed pavement that will contain leaks and spills of liquid from the waste. All effluent, wash water, and other runoff shall discharge directly to or through a holding tank to an approved sanitary sewer system. A cover, floor, or pavement is not required if the activity is transient in nature, such as in the case of spill cleanup or collection of waste packages from professional offices for transport.

H. All vehicles transporting regulated medical waste must carry a spill containment and cleanup kit in the vehicle as specified in 9VAC20-121-140 B, whenever regulated medical wastes are conveyed. Following a spill of regulated medical waste or its discovery, the procedures specified in 9VAC20-121-140 C shall be implemented.

I. Any vehicle parked 24 hours or more during transport will be considered a regulated medical waste transfer station subject to the requirements of Part IV (9VAC20-121-200 et seq.) of this chapter. Unless exempt under 9VAC20-121-300 E, no storage during transport will be allowed without a permit issued in accordance with the procedures in Part V (9VAC20-121-300 et seq.) of this chapter.

J. All vehicles and equipment used to transport regulated medical waste must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before being used for any other purpose and prior to any transfer of ownership. Disinfection shall include using an EPA-registered hospital grade disinfectant effective against mycobacteria in accordance with manufacturer's label instructions, unless it can be demonstrated that an alternate EPA-registered disinfectant is protective of human health and the environment and is appropriate for the type of regulated medical waste managed and surfaces being disinfected. Any areas of vehicles or equipment that are visibly contaminated, or that become contaminated as a result of a spill, must be immediately decontaminated in accordance with 9VAC20-121-140.

K. Transport of regulated medical waste by the United States Postal Services that fully complies with 39 CFR 111 shall be considered to be transportation in compliance with this chapter if:

1. The generator maintains a complete and legible copy of the manifest or mail disposal service shipping record for a period of three years. Disposer's certification and other tracking items must be completed and shown on the copy;

2. The addressee is a facility permitted by all the appropriate agencies of the Commonwealth or the host state; and

3. No package shall be more than 35 pounds by weight.

L. Category A waste shall be managed in accordance with the requirements of 9VAC20-121-160.