MIL-HDBK-1191
SECTION 18 - WASTE MANAGEMENT
18.1
INTRODUCTION. This section addresses the waste generated at DOD
medical facilities, and establishes design guidance for the collection,
transportation, holding, disposal, and treatment of these wastes. Wastes not
addressed by this section include asbestos, nuclear, and water-borne
(sanitary) wastes. This section discusses, but does not provide complete
facility design guidance for, soiled reprocessable materials, such as linens,
uniforms, etc..
18.1.1
Regulations, Codes, and Standards. The design of the waste
management system shall be in accordance with the Federal regulations listed
in the references (18a through 18g) at the end of this section. In addition,
the design shall be in accordance with State and local government regulations.
Guidelines and advisory standards available from the National Fire Protection
Agency (NFPA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health, (NIOSH), Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS), and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations (JCAHO), shall be utilized as applicable and considered minimum
criteria for facility design. Specific publications of these agencies are
cited periodically throughout this text to emphasize applicability.
18.1.2
Waste Categories. Each of the several categories of medical
facility waste requires individual design consideration of handling, storage,
and disposal by the facility. In addition, regulatory requirements differ for
each category, dependant upon the relative personnel and public hazards and
environmental impact.
18.1.2.1
Non-regulated Medical Waste (NRMW). This waste category includes
those wastes not classified as Regulated Medical Waste (RMW), Recyclable
Materials (RM), or Hazardous Waste (HW). NRMW normally constitutes no special
danger of infection or injury to personnel or the general public.
18.1.2.2
Regulated Medical Waste (RMW). RMW is waste which poses danger of
disease transmission and/or objectionable appearances to the public and
handling personnel, and includes the following, as defined by reference 18a:
a)
Cultures/Stocks of Infectious Agents;
b)
Pathological Wastes;
c)
Human Blood and Blood Products;
d)
Used Sharp implements;
e)
Contaminated Animal Wastes and Bedding;
f)
Isolation Waste from Patients with Highly Communicable Diseases;
g)
Unused sharp implements;
h)
Human surgery specimens or tissues removed at surgery or autopsy.
i)
Used, absorbent materials saturated with blood, blood products,
body fluids, or excretions or secretions contaminated with visible
blood; and absorbent materials saturated with blood or blood
products that have dried ("band aid" type dressings are normally
not included in this category).
j)
Non-absorbent, disposable devices that have been contaminated with
blood, body fluids or, excretions or secretions visibly
contaminated with blood, but have not been treated by an approved
method.
k)
Other Wastes mixed in with the above.
18.1.2.3
Recyclable Materials (RM). RM are those used materials which can
be reused, either for the same purpose as the original material or, following
processing, in a different form or for a different purpose. RM normally
constituted no special danger of infection or injury to personnel
or the general public.
18-1
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