Part V. Permitting of Regulated Medical Waste Management Facilities
9VAC20-121-300. Applicability.
A. Any facility operated for the transfer or treatment of regulated medical waste that is not exempt in accordance with this chapter, must hold a permit-by-rule from the department prior to commencement of operations.
B. Each regulated medical waste management facility permit-by-rule shall be limited to one site and shall be nontransferable between sites.
C. A new permit-by-rule is required when there is:
1. Any new regulated medical waste management facility; or
2. Any change in design or process of a regulated medical waste management facility that will result in a different type of facility. These changes may include a change from transfer to treatment facility, change of physical location, or change from captive to non-captive facility.
D. The director may grant a variance from any provision contained in this part to a permittee provided the requirements of Part VI (9VAC20-121-400 et seq.) of this chapter are met.
E. The following regulated medical waste management activities are conditionally exempt from the requirements of this part provided no open dump, hazard, or public nuisance is created and wastes are managed in accordance with the requirements promulgated by other applicable state or federal regulations or the conditions provided in this section.
1. Household sharps may be collected in a sharps drop box located in a public restroom, airport, train station, health clinic, pharmacy, health department, police or fire station, community organization building, permitted solid waste management facility, or other location as a convenience to the public, as long as the following requirements are met:
a. Sharps drop boxes shall only receive household sharps from individual home generators who choose to transport household sharps to the drop box. Sharps drop boxes shall not receive waste from collection vehicles or other entities that have collected waste from more than one real property owner;
b. All owners and operators of sharps drop boxes must comply with the general handling, packaging and labeling, storage, reusable container, spill cleanup, transportation, and Category A waste management requirements for regulated medical waste outlined in Part III (9VAC20-121-100 et seq.) of this chapter; and
c. Collected sharps shall be treated or disposed of as regulated medical waste in accordance with this chapter. Untreated sharps shall not be recycled or disposed of in a solid waste landfill or other solid waste management facility. Collected sharps that are shipped offsite as part of a mail-back program shall be transported in accordance with the requirements of 39 CFR 111 and 9VAC20-121-150 K.
2. Facilities that employ a treatment method to treat regulated medical waste onsite but subsequently package, label, and transport the waste offsite to be further managed as regulated medical waste are exempt from permitting in accordance with this chapter, but are subject to all other standards outlined in Part III (9VAC20-121-100 et seq.) for the management of regulated medical waste.
3. Treatment systems (such as an effluent decontamination system) used to treat industrial or domestic sewage discharges in compliance with federal, state, or local pretreatment requirements as applicable. If the treatment unit separates solids from liquids prior to discharge, the solids shall be managed as regulated medical waste unless it meets an exemption in accordance with this chapter.
4. Combustion of up to 10% by weight of regulated medical waste in a Virginia Solid Waste Management Regulations (9VAC20-81) permitted solid waste incinerator, thermal treatment, or waste to energy facility. Regulated medical waste must be an approved supplemental waste or included in an approved material review process in accordance with the State Air Pollution Control Board regulations and management of the regulated medical waste prior to addition to the incinerator, thermal treatment, or waste to energy unit must be in accordance with this chapter.
5. Temporary offsite storage of regulated medical waste generated from an emergency cleanup for up to 72 hours, including in a locked vehicle, prior to transporting directly to a regulated medical waste management facility permitted to receive the waste for treatment, transfer, or disposal, provided that all regulated medical waste is:
a. Generated from an emergency or unplanned sudden or nonsudden spill or release of regulated medical waste requiring immediate response in order to protect human health or the environment, and the regulated medical waste was not generated by a health care professional or nonstationary health care provider;
b. Collected from not more than one individual regulated medical waste generator and is not received from collection vehicles or other entities that have collected waste from more than one real property owner;
c. Managed, stored, and transported in accordance with all requirements of Part III (9VAC20-121-100 et seq.) of this chapter, except for the storage timeframe which shall be no more than 72 hours; and
d. Not a Category A waste, hazardous waste, or radioactive waste.
Statutory Authority
§ 10.1-1402 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 6941 et seq.; 40 CFR Part 257.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 13, eff. March 15, 2023.
9VAC20-121-310. Permits by rule and emergency permits.
A. This subsection contains the requirements for permits-by-rule. The owner or operator of a facility described in subdivision A 1 of this section shall be deemed to have a regulated medical waste management facility permit if (i) the owner or operator submits the completed DEQ Form RMW PBR, Regulated Medical Waste Management Facility Permit-by-Rule Form, and all required information and attachments as detailed in subdivision A 2 of this section, and (ii) the department acknowledges completeness of the submittal per subdivision A 4 of this section.
1. Except for exempt facilities described in 9VAC20-121-300 E, the owner or operator of the following regulated medical waste management facilities shall apply for a permit-by-rule:
a. Regulated medical waste transfer stations as defined by this chapter, including when a vehicle transporting regulated medical waste will be parked for 24 hours or more during transport;
b. Facilities treating regulated medical waste employing a treatment method described in 9VAC20-121-240; and
c. Facilities treating regulated medical waste employing an alternate treatment method as described in 9VAC20-121-250.
2. The owner or operator of a regulated medical waste management facility shall submit the following information and documentation to the department:
a. To initiate the permit-by-rule application process, any person who proposes to establish a new regulated medical waste management facility, or modify an existing regulated medical waste management facility shall file a notice of intent with the director stating the type of facility for which the permit-by-rule application is made, the precise location of the proposed facility, and the intended use of the facility. The notice shall be in letter form and be accompanied by the following documents:
(1) A disclosure statement (DEQ Forms DISC-01 and DISC-02) identifying all key personnel as required by § 10.1-1408.1 of the Code of Virginia.
(2) A copy of the certification for at least one operator licensed by the Board for Waste Management Facility Operators as required by § 10.1-1408.2 of the Code of Virginia.
(3) A certification (DEQ Form CERT-01) from the governing body of the county, city, or town in which the facility is to be located stating, without qualifications, conditions, or reservations, that the location and operation of the facility are consistent with all applicable ordinances. No certification shall be required for the application for a modification to an existing permit-by-rule.
(4) The results of the public participation effort conducted in accordance with the requirements contained in subdivision A 3 of this section;
b. A certification that the facility meets the siting standards, as applicable, of 9VAC20-121-210;
c. A certificate signed by a professional engineer that the facility has been designed and constructed in accordance with the design and construction standards, as applicable, of 9VAC20-121-220;
d. Design plans certified by a professional engineer consisting of at least the following:
(1) A title sheet indicating the facility name, who prepared the plans, the person for whom the plans were prepared, a table of contents, and a location map showing the location of the site and area to be served.
(2) An exterior site plan identifying building dimensions of the transfer or treatment facility and the location of property boundaries and building setbacks, fencing, loading or unloading areas, vehicle staging and queuing locations, and parking areas.
(3) An interior site plan identifying location and size of all receiving, storage, temporary storage, including storage areas to be used to segregate unauthorized waste, radioactive waste, hazardous waste, and other untreated waste from treated waste, and processing areas, and location of treatment units, reusable container washing stations, and floor drains.
(4) A process flow diagram for all treatment units showing, piping and instrumentation, vents, and liquid discharge locations;
e. Documentation of the authorization to discharge into an approved sanitary sewer system or publicly or privately owned treatment works;
f. A certification that the facility meets the standards of Part III (9VAC20-121-100 et seq.) and Part IV (9VAC20-121-200 et seq.), as applicable, and a copy of the regulated medical waste management plan to be maintained in the operating record in accordance with 9VAC20-121-330. The certification shall also include a statement that the emergency contingency plan has been provided to the local police and fire departments, local emergency manager, and local emergency health coordinator;
g. Alternate treatment technologies shall provide a copy of the treatment technology approval;
h. A treatment plan for each treatment unit in accordance with 9VAC20-121-330 E;
i. For treatment facilities, a treated waste disposal plan in accordance with 9VAC20-121-280 D ;
j. A closure plan in accordance with 9VAC20-121-330 G;
k. Demonstration of legal control over the site for the permit life;
l. A certification from the State Corporation Commission that the business entity pursing the permit-by-rule status is a valid entity, authorized to transact its business in Virginia. This requirement does not apply to those facilities owned solely by governmental units;
m. Closure cost estimates and proof of financial responsibility as required by the Financial Assurance Regulations for Solid Waste Disposal, Transfer, and Treatment Facilities (9VAC20-70). Proof of financial responsibility must be for the entity identified in subdivision A 2 l of this section. For treatment facilities, proof of financial responsibility is required prior to department approval to begin operation in accordance with 9VAC20-121-320; and
n. The applicable permit fees under the provisions of 9VAC20-90.
3. Public participation.
a. The applicant for a new regulated medical waste transfer station or treatment facility shall publish a notice once a week for two consecutive weeks in a major local newspaper of general circulation of the intent to construct and operate a facility eligible for a permit-by-rule. The notice shall include:
(1) A statement of the applicant's intent to apply for a permit-by-rule to operate a regulated medical waste transfer station or treatment facility;
(2) A brief description of the proposed facility and its location;
(3) A statement that the purpose of the public participation is to identify issues of concern, to facilitate communication and to establish a dialogue between the applicant and persons who may be affected by the facility;
(4) Announcement of a 30-day comment period, in accordance with subdivision A 3 d of this section;
(5) Announcement of the date, time, and location for a public meeting to be held in accordance with subdivision A 3 c of this section;
(6) The name, address, and telephone number of the owner's or operator's representative who can be contacted by interested persons to answer questions or receive comments on the siting and operation of the proposed regulated medical waste facility; and
(7) Location where copies of the documentation to be submitted to the department in support of the permit-by-rule notification can be viewed and copied in accordance with subdivision A 3 b of this section.
b. The owner or operator shall place a copy of the documentation and support documents in a location accessible to the public in the vicinity of the proposed facility.
c. The owner or operator shall hold a public meeting not earlier than 14 days after the publication of the notice required in subdivision A 3 a of this section and no later than seven days before the close of the 30-day comment period. The meeting shall be held to the extent practicable in the vicinity of the proposed facility at a time convenient for the public.
d. The public shall be provided 30 days to comment on the technical and the regulatory aspects of the proposal. The comment period will begin on the date the owner or operator publishes the first notice in the local newspaper.
e. The requirements of this section do not apply to the owners or operators of a regulated medical waste treatment unit that has received a permit from the department based on the regulations promulgated by the State Air Pollution Control Board or State Water Control Board that required facility-specific public participation procedures.
4. Upon receiving the certifications and other required documents, including the results of the public meeting and the applicant's response to the comments received, the department shall conduct a completeness review and respond within 30 days.
a. If the applicant's submission for a regulated medical waste transfer station is administratively complete, the applicant shall be deemed to operate under permit-by-rule status.
b. If the applicant's submission for a treatment unit is administratively complete, the applicant shall be deemed to operate under permit-by-rule status and granted authorization to initiate validation testing in accordance with an approved validation protocol and 9VAC20-121-320. The facility shall not accept regulated medical waste for treatment until the results of validation testing and operating parameters are submitted and approved by the department.
c. If the applicant's submission is administratively incomplete, the department will respond with a letter stating that the facility will not be considered to have a permit-by-rule or initiate the validation protocol until the missing certifications or other required documentation is submitted. At the time of the initial receipt or at a later date, the director may require changes in the documents designed to assure compliance with this chapter. Should such changes not be accomplished by the facility owner or operator, the facility will not be deemed to have a regulated medical waste management facility permit.
5. A permit-by-rule shall not be transferred by the permittee to a new owner or operator. However, when the property transfer takes place without proper closure, the new owner shall notify the department of the sale and fulfill all the requirements contained in subdivision A 2 of this section. Upon presentation of the financial assurance proof required by Financial Assurance Regulations for Solid Waste Disposal, Transfer, and Treatment Facilities (9VAC20-70) by the new owner, the department will release the former owner from the closure and financial responsibilities and acknowledge existence of the new permit-by-rule in the name of the new owner.
6. The owner or operator of a facility operating under a permit-by-rule may modify its design and operation by furnishing the department a new certificate and applicable permit fees under the provisions of 9VAC20-90. For modifications of design, the new certificate shall be prepared by a professional engineer and shall include new documentation required under subdivision A 2 of this section, as applicable, and subdivision A 3 of this section. For modifications to the operations, the owner or operator shall submit to the department a new certificate and documentation required under subdivision A 2 of this section, as applicable. For treatment units, a new treatment plan and revalidation with department approval to begin operation will be required for design and operation changes that include changing the treatment unit type, changing the treatment unit operating parameters, changes in waste stream, and adding a new treatment unit. Whenever modifications in the design or operation of the facility affect the provisions of the closure plan, the owner or operator shall revise the closure plan and submit to the department a new certificate and documentation required under subdivision A 2 of this section, as applicable. Should there be an increase in the closure costs, the owner or operator shall submit a new proof of financial responsibility as required by 9VAC20-70.
7. The director may terminate a regulated medical waste management facility's coverage under a permit-by-rule and require closure of the facility when the director finds that:
a. As a result of changes in key personnel, the requirements necessary for a permit-by-rule are no longer satisfied;
b. The applicant has knowingly or willfully misrepresented or failed to disclose a material fact in the disclosure statement or any other report or certification required under this chapter or has knowingly or willfully failed to notify the director of any material change to the information in the disclosure statement;
c. Any key personnel have been convicted of any of the crimes listed in § 10.1-1409 of the Code of Virginia, punishable as felonies under the laws of the Commonwealth or the equivalent under the laws of any other jurisdiction or has been adjudged by an administrative agency or a court of competent jurisdiction to have violated the environmental protection laws of the United States, the Commonwealth, or any other state, and the director determines that such conviction or adjudication is sufficiently probative of the permittee's inability or unwillingness to operate the facility in a lawful manner; or
d. The operation of the facility is inconsistent with the facility's regulated medical waste management plan or the requirements of Part IV (9VAC20-121-200 et seq.) of this chapter.
B. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, in the event the director finds an imminent and substantial endangerment to human health or the environment, the director may issue a temporary emergency permit to a facility to allow transfer, treatment, or storage of regulated medical waste. Such permits:
1. May be issued to allow:
a. Transfer, treatment, or storage of regulated medical waste at a nonpermitted facility;
b. Transfer, treatment, or storage of types of regulated medical waste not covered by the permit for a facility with an effective permit;
c. Treatment of regulated medical waste by a new or temporary treatment unit or treatment unit or method not covered by the permit for a facility with an effective permit; or
d. Temporary transfer, treatment, or storage activities not covered by the permit for a facility with an effective permit.
2. If oral, the emergency permit shall be followed within five calendar days by a written emergency permit.
3. Shall not exceed 90 days in duration.
4. Shall clearly specify:
a. The regulated medical wastes to be received;
b. The manner and location of their transfer, treatment, storage, or disposal; and
c. For emergency treatment units, the treatment plan in accordance with 9VAC20-121-330 E.
5. Shall be accompanied by a public notice including:
a. Name and address of the office granting the emergency authorization;
b. Name and location of the facility so permitted;
c. A brief description of the wastes involved;
d. A brief description of the action authorized and reasons for authorizing it; and
e. Duration of the emergency permit.
6. Shall incorporate, to the extent possible and not inconsistent with the emergency situation, all applicable requirements of this chapter, and shall include the applicable permit fees under the provisions of 9VAC20-90.
7. For emergency treatment units, the facility shall not accept regulated medical waste for treatment until the results of validation testing and operating parameters are submitted and approved by the department.
8. Any permit issued under this subsection may be renewed not more than three times if necessary and with appropriate justification. Each such renewal shall be for a period of not more than 90 days.
Statutory Authority
§ 10.1-1402 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 6941 et seq.; 40 CFR Part 257.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 13, eff. March 15, 2023.
9VAC20-121-320. Effect of the permit.
A. A regulated medical waste treatment facility will be approved to perform its validation protocol following determination of a complete permit-by-rule application in accordance with the procedures outlined in 9VAC20-121-310. Before receipt of waste by the facility, the permittee must:
1. Arrange for a department representative to inspect the site to observe at least one validation test run and perform validation testing in accordance with approved protocols.
2. Submit to the department for approval a summary of the validation test results demonstrating the treatment effectiveness and specifying the operating parameters based on the results of all validation test runs. The report shall include the results of all validation test runs.
B. Following approval by the department of the validation results, a regulated medical waste treatment facility may begin receiving and treating regulated medical waste as defined in the permit-by-rule. The facility shall comply with the operating parameters necessary to achieve treatment. A regulated medical waste treatment facility shall not receive or treat regulated medical waste until the department has approved the validation results and operating parameters to be used for the treatment unit.
C. Each facility permitted to accept regulated medical waste requires periodic inspection and review of records and reports. By accepting coverage under a permit-by-rule in accordance with 9VAC20-121-310, the owner or operator agree to the specified periodic inspections.
D. Compliance with a valid permit-by-rule and this chapter during its term constitutes compliance for purposes of enforcement with the Virginia Waste Management Act. However, a permit-by-rule may be modified or terminated for cause as set forth in 9VAC20-121-310 A 6 and A 7.
E. A permit-by-rule does not convey any property rights or any sort or any exclusive privilege.
F. A permit-by-rule does not authorize any injury to persons or property or invasion of other private rights or any infringement of federal, state, or local law or regulations.
G. A permit-by-rule may be transferred by the permittee to a new owner or operator only if the permit-by-rule has been terminated and reissued or modified to identify the new owner or operator and incorporate such other requirements as may be necessary. Upon presentation of the financial assurance proof required by 9VAC20-70 by the new owner, the department will release the old owner from the old owner's closure and financial responsibilities and acknowledge existence of the new or modified permit-by-rule in the name of the new owner.
Statutory Authority
§ 10.1-1402 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 6941 et seq.; 40 CFR Part 257.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 13, eff. March 15, 2023.
9VAC20-121-330. Regulated medical waste management plan.
A. All permitted regulated medical waste management facilities, such as regulated medical waste transfer stations or treatment facilities, shall prepare and maintain a written regulated medical waste management plan. The plan shall include a certification page signed by a responsible official. This signature shall certify the plan meets the requirements of this chapter. The plan shall be maintained in the operating record and shall be made available for review by the department upon request. The plan shall include, at a minimum, the items in subsections B through G of this section.
B. A written waste acceptance plan, which includes, at a minimum:
1. Types and quantities of regulated medical waste to be managed, including sources of the waste and proposed service areas (if waste is accepted from offsite). The plan shall identify:
a. Acceptable waste types for treatment onsite (if applicable); and
b. Acceptable wastes types to be transferred to another approved facility for treatment or management offsite. The plan shall include a description of the offsite facility that will receive the waste, including the name, address, and telephone number for the receiving facility and how specific waste types will be managed.
2. Protocols for identification and segregation of regulated medical waste from other types of waste, including radioactive wastes, hazardous wastes, and other solid waste. The plan shall include a description of how incoming waste will be monitored to detect the presence of radioactive materials and actions that will be taken to verify the source of any alarm.
3. Procedures for handling Category A waste in accordance with 9VAC20-121-160.
4. Facilities that accept regulated medical waste from offsite shall include the following:
a. A description of onsite traffic control, schedules, and routing for waste delivery vehicle flow and methods of enforcement of traffic flow plans for the waste delivery vehicles;
b. Procedures for arrival confirmatory inspections of each delivery vehicle and their loads to ensure that the waste has been packaged and transported in accordance with the U.S. Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulations and this chapter;
c. A description of how the waste will be off-loaded, weighed, and compared to the shipping paper that accompanies the waste and how any discrepancies will be resolved; and
d. For each generator or customer, the facility shall maintain a signed certificate, contract, or equivalent document for each load or inclusive of all loads received from the generator in which the generator affirms that the loads do not contain unauthorized waste.
5. Procedures for handling regulated medical waste received from onsite or offsite that is not packaged, labeled, or marked correctly; leaking, dented, ripped, torn, bulging, or otherwise damaged; or not accompanied by a shipping paper.
C. A written description of the procedures for the detection and management of unauthorized waste in accordance with 9VAC20-121-230 K. The plan shall contain, at a minimum:
1. A list of unauthorized waste types that are not acceptable for management at the facility.
2. Methods used by the operator to prevent management of unauthorized wastes, such as routine monitoring and observation of incoming waste, generator agreements, and informational materials.
3. Procedures to detect and address any unauthorized waste discovered at the facility, including the protocol for identifying and contacting the generator and to prevent recurrence.
4. Procedures for containing and storing each type of unauthorized waste, such as radioactive or hazardous waste, until it is removed for proper management, including designated storage locations, storage timeframes, packaging, and labeling.
5. Instructions for documenting and notifying the department of receipt and ultimate disposition of unauthorized waste.
D. A written operations plan that includes, at a minimum:
1. A general description of the overall process and equipment used. The plan shall include the following: hours of operation; process rate; procedures for daily startup; methods, containers, and other devices for the collection, off-loading, tipping, and conveyance of regulated medical waste from the point of generation or receipt to areas for processing; normal loading, unloading, and waste handling procedures; and timeframes for transfer or treatment.
2. Protocols for packaging and labeling regulated medical waste for treatment onsite or transport offsite, including protocols for labeling or marking wheeled carts, containers, conveyance systems, or other items used for moving regulated medical waste.
3. Procedures for temporary onsite storage of regulated medical waste until it is collected for treatment onsite or transport offsite. The plan shall identify each storage location and capacity, the maximum length of time the waste will be stored, and procedures used to document compliance with required storage timeframes.
4. Methods and equipment used to empty, clean, and disinfect reusable containers in accordance with 9VAC20-121-130, including types and quantities of reusable containers and disinfectant to be used, disinfection procedures utilized between uses, and final disposal in case of damage or wear and tear. The plan shall also include a description of appropriate personal protective equipment, such as puncture and leak resistant gloves, safety glasses or face shield, protective coveralls or bib, protective footwear, and mask or respiratory protection as needed, used to protect personnel when cleaning and disinfecting reusable containers.
5. Procedures for spill prevention and response and how spilled waste will be collected, packaged, and the spill area decontaminated in accordance with 9VAC20-121-140. This includes locations and contents of all spill containment and cleanup kits.
6. Names, addresses, and telephone number of final treatment or ultimate disposal facilities to be used for untreated waste and treated residues, facility-generated wastes, unauthorized waste, hazardous waste, radioactive waste, and other waste bypassed or disposed.
7. A description of equipment and procedures used to control access to areas used for the storage, transfer, and treatment of regulated medical waste. The plan shall identify all entry and exit points where access is controlled.
8. Methods and equipment used for routine cleaning and disinfection of facility equipment, floors, vehicles, and other surfaces that come into contact with regulated medical waste.
9. Measures used to control and monitor for fire, dust, noise, litter, odors, vectors, and blowing debris at the facility.
10. Collection and management of effluent, wash water, and other runoff from facility floors, storage and processing areas, waste compactors, and reusable container cleaning and disinfection areas, including location and discharge of drains.
11. Identification of all appropriate personal protective equipment, such as puncture and leak resistant gloves, safety glasses or face shield, protective coveralls or bib, protective footwear, and mask or respiratory protection as needed, and when the items are used to protect personnel managing regulated medical waste at the facility. The plan shall also include a description of donning and offing procedures for personal protective equipment.
12. A self-inspection plan that at a minimum includes copies of the inspection checklists that comply with 9VAC20-121-230 U along with a description of the types of potential problems and corrective actions that may result from the inspections.
13. A schedule and description of initial and annual refresher training to be provided to employees in-person, in a language they can understand, including interactive training, and the types and numbers of adequately trained personnel. Initial training shall be provided within seven working days of employment, and annual refresher training shall be provided within one year from the date of the last training. Training shall include:
a. Operational procedures in accordance with 9VAC20-121-230 V;
b. Protocols to recognize, manage, document, and report unauthorized waste in accordance with 9VAC20-121-230 K;
c. Procedures for retraining staff when noncompliance or other incidents occur; and
d. Any other specialized waste training specific to the job function.
14. Procedures for recordkeeping in accordance with 9VAC20-121-340. The procedures shall address how inventory will be managed and methods used to track, link, and document specific incoming waste loads to specific outgoing waste loads.
15. A description of the type and estimated daily quantity of any facility-generated waste residues and procedures for handling and disposal of the residues.
E. A written treatment plan for each unit used to treat regulated medical waste that meets the standards of 9VAC20-121-240 and 9VAC20-121-250 and includes at a minimum:
1. A detailed description of the treatment technology to be used, including:
a. An overview of the treatment process and description of the treatment unit, including manufacturer, model name or number, and treatment capacity;
b. Procedures for equipment startup and shut down including warm-up, loading and unloading wastes, and anticipated load size during routine operation;
c. A description of built-in automatic controls and fail safe mechanisms to ensure the waste cannot bypass the treatment process;
d. If applicable, methods used to grind, shred, or puncture containers or packaging before, during, or after treatment, along with the methods to prevent exposure to the waste; contain any aerosol, bioaerosol, or mists caused by the process; and treat or filter any air evacuated from the chamber during processing;
e. If applicable, methods to transfer from a grinder or shredder to or from a treatment unit under forced draft ventilation that removes fumes from the operations area to a safe discharge;
f. Methods for maintaining negative pressure atmospheric control in the vessel and filtering all vents, discharges, and fugitive emissions of air from the process units through a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter with efficiency of 99.97% for 0.3 microns. Installation and maintenance of filters shall be specified;
g. Methods to manage effluent including location and discharge of drains; and
h. A description of preventative maintenance that is performed on the treatment unit, including on engineering and electronic controls.
2. Identification of acceptable waste types to be treated and a listing of types of wastes that shall not be treated.
3. Treatment unit operating parameters (e.g., cycle duration, temperature, pressure, chemical concentration, irradiation exposure time, or other treatment parameters as applicable) and a description of how the operating parameters will be monitored and recorded, including number, type, and location of parametric monitoring devices, thermochemical indicators, and thermochemical recording devices, as applicable for routine operation.
4. Identification of the biological indicators to be used and documentation that lack of growth in the treated indicator corresponds to a 6 Log10 reduction of viable spores. An explanation of why each indicator is suitable for the treatment process and wastes to be treated, including referencing any standards, guidelines, or information from peer reviewed journals, shall be included. The facility shall also specify the:
a. Type of biological indicators (spore strip, suspension, or self-contained), including a copy of the supplier's certificate of performance (or certificate of analysis) that identifies the organism (genus, species, strain, and population), purity, and for thermal treatment systems (including autoclaves) the D-value, and Z-value;
b. Estimated shelf life and storage conditions to be maintained;
c. Culture medium, incubation procedures, and incubation time (for self-contained biological indicators) and the media, growth, and culture conditions (for non-self-contained biological indicators), including how the results are to be interpreted and recorded;
d. Carrier system or material and primary packaging;
e. Relative resistance to temperature, pressure, chemicals, irradiation, infectious agents, or any other conditions used in the treatment process; and
f. Number, location, and placement of untreated (control) and treated indicators relative to the coldest spot in the treatment unit as identified by the manufacturer.
5. Number, type, and placement of thermochemical indicators, including a description of how results will be interpreted and recorded.
6. A validation plan that includes a detailed description of the validation testing protocol used to demonstrate effective treatment by each treatment unit that meets the standards of 9VAC20-121-260 and includes:
a. Surrogate waste load composition, including packaging type, porosity, relative percentages of inorganic and organic components, moisture content, thermal resistance, and a relative breakdown of solid components, such as blood culture bottles, plastics (including suction canisters), microbiological waste, and sharps;
b. Load configuration including packing density, orientation, and load size;
c. Number, type, and location or placement of biological indicators; thermochemical indicators; thermochemical recording devices; and any other methods used to monitor operating parameters and accuracy of parametric monitoring devices during validation runs to ensure that the gauge or electronic read-out is a true reflection of conditions inside the treatment unit;
d. A description of how the results will be interpreted and documented; and
e. Identification of who will conduct the validation testing.
7. A detailed description of the periodic challenge testing procedures used to evaluate the effectiveness of each treatment device under full loading, which meets the standards of 9VAC20-121-270 and includes:
a. Frequency of challenge testing to be performed;
b. Number, type, and location or placement of biological and thermochemical indicators, and other methods used to monitor operating parameters;
c. A description of how the results will be interpreted and documented;
d. Procedures used to address challenge test failures, including evaluating and correcting any issues with the treatment cycle and unit, and management of untreated regulated medical waste to include temporary storage or diversion to another approved facility for treatment or disposal; and
e. Procedures for reporting failing results of challenge testing to the department in accordance with 9VAC20-121-340.
8. Identification of all appropriate personal protective equipment, such as puncture and leak resistant gloves, safety glasses or face shield, protective coveralls or bib, protective footwear, and mask or respiratory protection as needed, and when the items are used to protect personnel.
9. Safety procedures used to minimize occupational exposure and prevent physical injury to operators during loading, unloading, and treatment cycle.
10. Procedures for handling and disposing of treated wastes, including packaging, labeling, and transport.
11. A copy of the treated waste disposal plan in accordance with 9VAC20-121-280 D.
F. A written emergency contingency plan that describes the organized, planned, coordinated courses of action to be followed in the event of emergencies and nonoperation. In addition to submission to the department, the plan shall be provided to the local police and fire departments, local emergency manager, and local emergency health coordinator. The plan shall include:
1. Procedures to minimize hazards to human health and the environment from utility failure, fires or explosions, spills, leaks and releases, and exposure to regulated medical waste.
2. A description of the actions facility personnel shall take in the event of various emergency situations (fire, explosion, catastrophic loss, temporary shutdown, release of regulated medical waste or regulated medical waste constituents, or other incident that could threaten human health or the environment), including evacuation procedures.
3. A list of available fire protection and emergency equipment, and appropriate uses, such as fire extinguishers, emergency safety showers, eye wash stations, spill control materials, and alarm systems.
4. Procedures to be employed in the event of equipment breakdown or maintenance events, including standby equipment, extension of operating hours, or diversion of waste to another facility.
5. A list of onsite and offsite backup equipment with names and telephone numbers where offsite equipment may be obtained.
6. Provisions for loading, unloading, storage, transfer, treatment, or other disposal capabilities to be used during emergency situations, including when the facility downtime exceeds 24 hours.
7. The designation of alternate treatment areas or plans for transfer of stored waste in the event facility or system downtime exceeds 72 hours.
8. Procedures for spill cleanup and decontamination following a release of regulated medical waste.
9. A description of arrangements made with the local police and fire department that allow for immediate entry into the facility by their authorized representatives should the need arise, such as in the case of response personnel responding to an emergency situation.
10. The telephone numbers for local fire and police departments.
11. An identification of personnel designated as emergency coordinators. A list of names, addresses, and phone numbers (office and home) of all persons qualified to act as an emergency coordinator for the facility. Where more than one person is listed, one shall be named as primary emergency coordinator and the other shall be listed in the order in which they will assume responsibility as alternates. The emergency coordinator must be onsite or on-call and is responsible for responding to emergencies and coordinating emergency response measures.
12. A description of where and how emergency response information will be posted.
G. A written closure plan that identifies the steps necessary to completely close the facility or unit at its full operation under the permit conditions, which includes:
1. Procedures for removal of regulated medical waste, treated residue, and other materials for proper treatment or disposal;
2. Methods for cleaning and disinfecting the unit or facility and all related equipment, structures, and surfaces;
3. A description of any sampling to be conducted to ensure the facility has been decontaminated;
4. A schedule for final closure including, as a minimum, the anticipated date when wastes will no longer be received, the date when completion of final closure is anticipated, and intervening milestone dates that will allow tracking of the progress of closure; and
5. Actions necessary for facility abandonment or uses other than for regulated medical waste management.
Statutory Authority
§ 10.1-1402 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 6941 et seq.; 40 CFR Part 257.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 13, eff. March 15, 2023.
9VAC20-121-340. Recordkeeping and reporting required of a permittee.
A. Regulated medical waste management facilities having coverage under a permit-by-rule shall maintain and retain records and reports as required by this chapter.
B. A facility shall retain records whenever monitoring is required.
1. The facility shall retain records of all monitoring information, including all calibration and maintenance records and all original recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation, for at least three years from the sample or measurement date. The director may request that this period be extended.
2. Records of monitoring information shall include:
a. The date, exact place, and time of sampling or measurements;
b. The name of the individuals who performed the sampling or measurements;
c. The date analysis were performed;
d. The name of the individuals who performed the analysis;
e. The analytical techniques or methods used; and
f. The results of such analyses.
C. The facility must maintain accurate written or digital records as required by this chapter. Records shall include all records required by the facility permit, this chapter, or other applicable regulations. Records must be maintained at the facility or another location approved by the department for at least three years from the date of the record, sample or measurement date, treatment date, shipping date, or receipt date. The department may request that this period be extended. Records shall be available for review by the department as requested.
D. The facility shall maintain a regulated medical waste management plan in the operating record in accordance with 9VAC20-121-330.
E. The owner or operator of a regulated medical waste management facility under a permit-by-rule that transfers or treats regulated medical waste, except for a captive regulated medical waste management facility, shall submit a Solid Waste Information and Assessment report to the department by March 31 of each year in accordance with 9VAC20-81-80.
F. A disclosure statement identifying all key personnel as required by § 10.1-1408.1 of the Code of Virginia shall be on file with the department and updated on a quarterly basis as necessary. At least one operator listed as key personnel on the facility's disclosure statement shall be licensed by the Board for Waste Management Facility Operators as required by § 10.1-1408.2 of the Code of Virginia.
G. If regulated medical waste is received from offsite, records shall be maintained for three years following receipt of the waste and shall include the date of receipt, name of each offsite generator, transporter, type and quantity (weight or volume) of waste received, and dates of subsequent treatment onsite or shipment offsite. The facility shall maintain a signed certificate, contract, or equivalent document for each load or inclusive of all loads received from offsite in which the generator affirms that the load does not contain hazardous waste or radioactive materials, unless the facility is permitted to receive those types of wastes.
H. If regulated medical waste is shipped or transferred offsite, the facility shall maintain records, including copies of all shipping papers, specifying the date of shipment, type, and quantity (weight or volume) of waste removed from the site and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of both the transporters and the destination facility receiving the shipments for treatment or disposal.
I. A regulated medical waste treatment facility shall maintain an onsite treatment log at each treatment unit that is complete for the preceding three-year period. The log shall record the date, start time, end time, and operator of each treatment cycle; the type and quantity (weight or volume) of regulated medical waste treated onsite; monitoring records for the operating parameters (e.g. time, temperature, pressure, and chemical concentration) achieved throughout each treatment cycle; and the results of all validation and periodic challenge testing. Monitoring records shall include original recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation and parametric controls as well as the results of all biological and thermochemical indicators. Where multiple treatment units are used, a working log can be maintained at each unit and such logs periodically consolidated at a central location as long as the records distinguish which treatment unit is applicable to each record. The consolidated logs shall be retained for three years and be available for review.
J. The facility shall retain records of all unauthorized waste in accordance with 9VAC20-121-230 K.
K. The facility must maintain a record of self-inspections in an inspection log. The log must include the date and time of the inspection, the name of the inspector, a description of the inspection, including the identity of the specific equipment and structures inspected, observations recorded, and the date and nature of any remedial actions implemented or repairs made.
L. Written documentation of all training received by each employee, including the date and topics of the training, shall be maintained in the facility's operating record.
M. A regulated medical waste management facility shall be subject to the following reporting requirements. The facility shall report to the department any noncompliance, emergency, or unusual condition that may endanger health, the environment, or the facility's operation. Any information shall be provided orally within 24 hours from the time the permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. A written submission shall also be provided within five working days of the time the facility becomes aware of the circumstances. The written report shall contain a description of the circumstances and its cause; the period of occurrence, including exact dates and times; and if the circumstance has not been corrected, the anticipated time it is expected to continue. It shall also contain steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence of the circumstances resulting in an unusual condition or noncompliance, to include retraining of staff as necessary. Reportable conditions include:
1. Any interruption to operations that requires implementation of the facility's emergency contingency plan or diversion of regulated medical waste to another management facility;
2. Releases or discharges of regulated medical waste from a fire, explosion, storm, or other emergency that could endanger human health or the environment outside the facility;
3. Unauthorized discharge of effluent, wash water, waste, or other pollutant to surface water (i.e., offsite, natural water body or tributary, including wetlands);
4. Spills of regulated medical waste in any areas not protected from the elements, such as outside of a building;
5. Storage of regulated medical waste beyond capacity or storage timeframes;
6. Failing results of periodic challenge testing;
7. Receipt or discovery of unauthorized waste;
8. Receipt of Category A waste; and
9. Shipment of regulated medical waste offsite in inappropriate packaging.
N. Copies of all reports required and records of all data used to complete the permit-by-rule application must be retained for at least three years from the date of the report or application. The director may request that this period be extended.
O. When the permittee becomes aware that the permittee failed to submit any relevant facts or submitted incorrect information in a permit-by-rule application or in any report to the department, the permittee shall promptly submit such omitted facts or the correct information with an explanation.
Statutory Authority
§ 10.1-1402 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 6941 et seq.; 40 CFR Part 257.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 13, eff. March 15, 2023.