Section 118320 Of Chapter 9. Containment And Storage From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 104. >> Part 14. >> Chapter 9.
118320
. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), compactors or
grinders shall not be used to process medical waste until after the
waste has been treated pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section
118215) and rendered solid waste.
(b) (1) Grinding or compacting may be used when it is an integral
part of an alternative treatment method approved by the department.
(2) A compactor may be used to compact medical waste if the type
of medical waste compactor proposed to be used is evaluated by the
department, and approved by the department prior to its use pursuant
to the following criteria:
(A) The compactor operates without the release of liquids or
pathogenic microorganisms from the medical waste during placement of
the medical waste into, or removal of the medical waste from, the
compactor units, and during the compaction process.
(B) The compacted medical waste will not release liquids or
pathogens during any subsequent handling and no residual waste will
be left in the compactor unit after the process is completed.
(C) Compactor operations and maintenance personnel will not be at
any substantial increased risk of exposure to pathogens.
(D) The compactor has been demonstrated not to have any adverse
effects on any treatment method. If only specific treatment methods
are compatible with the compaction process, the department shall
condition its approval of the compactor for use only in conjunction
with treatment methods, with regard to which no adverse effects have
been demonstrated.
(c) Medical waste in bags or other containers shall not be subject
to compaction by any compacting device and shall not be placed for
storage or transport in a portable or mobile trash compactor, except
as allowed pursuant to subdivision (b).