Virginia Law

A. The owner or operator of a regulated medical waste management facility shall close the facility in a manner that minimizes the need for further maintenance, and controls, minimizes, or eliminates, to the extent necessary to protect human health and the environment, the post-closure escape of regulated medical waste, uncontrolled effluent, surface runoff, or waste decomposition products to the groundwater, surface water, or atmosphere.

1. When a unit that has been used for regulated medical waste management is to cease operations involving regulated medical waste, the unit and all related equipment, structures, and surfaces shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Cleaning shall be conducted with detergent and water. At a minimum, 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 to the satisfaction of the department that an alternate EPA-registered disinfectant will be protective of human health and the environment and is appropriate for the type of regulated medical waste managed and surfaces being disinfected.

2. All regulated medical waste, materials contaminated with waste constituents, and treatment residue shall be removed and disposed of in accordance with this chapter.

B. Closure plan and modification of plan.

1. The owner or operator of a regulated medical waste management facility shall have a written closure plan that meets the requirements of 9VAC20-121-330 G.

2. The owner or operator may amend the closure plan at any time during the active life of the facility. The owner or operator shall so amend the plan any time changes in operating plans or facility design affects the closure plan. The amended closure plan shall be placed in the operating record.

3. The owner or operator shall submit to the department the amended closure plan that was placed in the operating record.

4. At least 180 days prior to beginning closure of each unit, the owner or operator shall notify the director of the intent to close.

5. The owner or operator shall provide to the department a certification that the facility has been closed in accordance with the closure plan.

C. The owner or operator shall complete closure activities in accordance with the closure plan and within six months after receiving the final volume of wastes. The director may approve a longer closure period if the owner or operator can demonstrate that the required or planned closure activities will take longer than six months to complete, and that the owner or operator has taken all steps to eliminate any significant threat to human health and the environment from the unclosed but inactive facility.

D. The owner or operator shall post one sign notifying all persons of the closing and providing a notice prohibiting further receipt of waste materials. The sign shall remain in place until closure activities are complete. Further, suitable barriers shall be installed at former accesses to prevent new waste from being delivered.

E. The department shall inspect the facility to confirm that the closure is complete and adequate in accordance with this chapter. The department shall notify the owner of a closed facility in writing if the closure is satisfactory, or if unsatisfactory, shall require any necessary construction or such other steps as may be necessary to bring unsatisfactory sites into compliance with this chapter. Notification by the department that the closure is satisfactory does not relieve the operator of responsibility for corrective action to prevent or abate problems caused by the facility.