NJDEP-Compliance & Enforcement

Compliance Assistance Resources - Solid Waste Checklists

Regulated Medical Waste - Generator (SW23)
Requirement Description	Compliance Status	Compliance Comments
Regulated Medical Waste - Generator
Were all records, reports, logs and tracking forms required to be made and/or kept in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A, made available for inspection by the Department? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.4(b)]
Is regulated medical waste stored as follows: 1. Store the regulated medical waste in a manner and location that maintains the integrity of the packaging and provides protection from water, rain and wind; 2. Maintain the regulated medical waste in a nonputrescent state, using refrigeration when necessary; 3. Lock the outdoor storage areas containing regulated medical waste (for example, dumpsters, sheds, tractor trailers, or other storage areas) to prevent unauthorized access; 4. Limit access to on-site storage areas to authorized employees; and 5. Store the regulated medical waste in a manner that affords protection from animals and does not provide a breeding place or a food source for insects and rodents? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.12(a)]
Is regulated medical waste storage time limited as follows: 1. Regulated medical waste shall be disposed of immediately if it becomes putrescent or emits any odors; 2. All regulated medical waste shall be disposed of within one year of the date of generation, or sooner as determined by the generator, except that: i. The storage period may exceed one year for regulated medical wastes that must be stored for longer periods to provide for the decay of radioactive materials in accordance with applicable Federal or State statutes and regulations? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.12(b)]
Does facility ensure that any container that is being used to accumulate or store sharps is secured so that the contents are not accessible to any unauthorized person? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.12(c)]
When reusing containers, are the following requirements followed: 1. All non-rigid containers and inner liners shall be managed as regulated medical waste under this subchapter and shall not be decontaminated or reused; 2. Any container used for the storage and/or transport of regulated medical waste and designated for reuse once emptied, shall be decontaminated if the container shows signs of visible contamination; 3. If any container used for the storage and/or transport of regulated medical waste is for any reason not capable of being rendered free of visible signs of contamination on its outer surface in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.12(a)2, the container must be managed (labeled, marked and treated and/or disposed of) as regulated medical waste under this subchapter; and 4. Decontaminated containers shall be free of all removable contaminating material from the inner and outer surfaces? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.13(a)]
Does facility determine if medical waste is a regulated medical waste? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.16(a)]
Is regulated medical waste only offered to transporters that meet the requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.27(c), unless the transporter is a generator meeting the requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.17(a) or unless the transporter is the U.S. Postal Service and the requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.17(b) are met? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.16(d)]
Is regulated medical waste only offered for disposal at a registered intermediate handler, at a registered destination facility, a regulated medical waste sanitary landfill permitted in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.18, a resource recovery facility authorized to accept such waste and permitted in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:26-2, or a facility in another state authorized to accept such wastes by such state? Note: Shipments to out-of-State facilities shall be made in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.28 and 3A.46. [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.16(e)]
Did facility not install or use any alternative or innovative technology, or any modification thereof, for the treatment and/or destruction of regulated medical waste unless such technology or modification has been approved and authorized by the Department and DOH for such purpose pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.47? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.16(i)]
Did facility not abandon regulated medical waste on any public or private property or cause regulated medical waste to be abandoned? Note: For the purpose of this section, "abandoned" means the intentional or unintentional placement, discard or loss of regulated medical waste in any area outside of the direct control of the person generating, transporting, managing, or disposing of the waste. [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.16(j)]
GENERATOR REQUIREMENTS
Did medical waste generator register with the Department as a regulated medical waste generator and pay annual fees? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.8(a)]
Did medical waste generator register with the Department and pay required fee? Note: The registration year for generators extends from July 22 through July 21 of each calendar year and fees are payable by August 20 of each calendar year. [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.8(f)1]
Did generator that failed to register on time pay required late fee? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.8(l)]
GENERATOR RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING
Did generator keep the copy of each tracking form required by N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.19 and the signed "Copy 1?Generator Copy" of each completed tracking form signed by the owner or operator of the destination facility, intermediate handler or collection facility for at least three years from the date the waste was accepted by the initial transporter unless the Department specifically requires an additional retention period? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.21(a)1]
Did generator retain a copy of all exception reports required to be submitted pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.22(b) for at least three years after the day the exception report was submitted unless the Department specifically requires an additional retention period? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.21(a)2]
Did generator who treats and destroys regulated medical waste on-site by a method or process other than incineration, maintain the following records: 1. The approximate quantity by weight, of regulated medical waste that is subject to the treatment and destruction processes; 2. The approximate percent, by weight, of total waste treated and destroyed that is regulated medical waste; and 3. For regulated medical waste accepted from other generators, the name and address of the generators, the date the waste was accepted from each generator, the weight of waste accepted from each generator, and the date the waste was treated and destroyed for each generator? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.21(b)]
Does generator maintain records for a period of at least three years from the date the waste was treated and destroyed, unless the Department specifically requires an additional retention period? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.21(c)]
Did generator submit annual generator reports to the Department for the period June 22 through June 21 of each calendar year by July 21 of each calendar year? Did report include the following information: 1. The date of the report; 2. A description of the regulated medical waste, identified by Waste Class; 3. The total quantity in pounds for the year for each Waste Class of regulated medical waste generated, treated, destroyed, or disposed of; 4. The name and NJDEP solid waste transporter registration number of every transporter who transported the generator's regulated medical waste. 5. The name and address of each intermediate handler or destination facility and a description of quantity in pounds for each Waste Class of regulated medical waste sent to each facility; and 6. The method of treatment, destruction or disposal of each Waste Class by quantity in pounds (for example, on-site treatment, on-site incineration, disposal via sanitary sewer). Did generator retain copies of the generator reports for at least three years from the date that the report is due, unless the Department specifically requires an additional retention period? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.21(d)]
Did generator pay late fee when annual generator report was submitted 30 or more days after such report was due? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.8(m)]
Did generator of regulated medical waste that was reused or recycled comply with the reporting requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.6(b)6iii and 7iii? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.21(e)]
Does generator retain for three years copies of the generator's annual reports, tracking forms and other documents required to be maintained under this subchapter as well as copies of the Department's compliance inspection reports and the certificate of generator registration for the site? Note: The three years extends to the date that the documents were due, or created, unless the Department specifically requires an additional retention period. [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.21(f)]
GENERATOR TRACKING FORMS
Does generator use only New Jersey regulated medical waste tracking forms? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.19(a)]
Does the generator prepare at least the number of tracking form copies that will provide the generator, each transporter's), and each intermediate handler with one copy, and the owner or operator of the destination facility with two copies? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.19(c)]
6230 Does the generator complete the following information on the tracking form: 1. Complete Boxes 1 through 15 of the tracking form for each shipment of regulated medical waste off-site; i. The quantity (in net or gross mass, capacity, or as otherwise appropriate), including the unit of measurement (for example, lbs., gal., Kg., or L) of the regulated medical waste shall be entered in Box 13. 2. Sign and date the certification statement in Box 15 on the tracking form by hand; 3. Obtain the handwritten signature of the initial transporter and date of acceptance on the tracking form in Box 16; and 4. Retain "Copy 4 Generator Copy", in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.21(a)1. [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.19(d)]
Does generator which transports his own regulated medical waste complete the following information on the tracking form: 1. Sign and date the certification statement in Box 15 on the tracking form by hand, and enter in Box 5 the words "Self-Transport"; 2. Sign the transporter section of the tracking form in Box 16, noting the date the regulated medical waste was transporter; 3. Enter the name, address, telephone number and State Permit number of the destination facility in Boxes 8 through 10; 4. Enter the name, address, telephone number and Generator Identification number of the collection facility in Box 14. 5. Retain "Copy 3?Transporter Copy" and "Copy 4?Generator Copy", in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.21(a)1. 6. Ensure that the tracking form accompanies the regulated medical waste while in transit; and 7. Comply with the tracking form requirements for transporters at N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.31(d)? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.19(e)]
Does generator which transports regulated medical waste through the U.S. Postal Service complete the following information on the tracking form: 1. Sign and date the certification statement in Box 15 on the tracking form by hand; 2. Sign and date the transporter section of the tracking form by noting that the transporter is the U.S. Postal Service in Box 5. The person delivering the RMW to the U.S. Postal Service shall sign and note the date the shipment was mailed in Box 16; 3. Enter the name, address, telephone number and State Permit number of the destination facility in Boxes 8 through 10; 4. Retain "Copy 3?Transporter Copy" and "Copy 4?Generator Copy", in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.21(a)1; and 5. Ensure that the tracking form accompanies the regulated medical waste while in transit? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.19(f)]
For rail shipments of regulated medical waste within the United States that originate at the site of generation, does the generator send at least three copies of the tracking form dated and signed in accordance with this section to: 1. The next non-rail transporter, if any; or 2. The intermediate handler or destination facility if transported solely by rail; or 3. The last rail transporter to handle the waste in the United States if exported by rail? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.19(g)]
For regulated medical waste derived from radioactive medical materials, was the tracking form prepared as follows: 1. The generator shall complete Boxes 1 through 10 on the tracking form; 2. The generator shall indicate in Box 14 that radioactive regulated medical waste is being transported to the supplier of the original radioactive medical materials; 3. The generator shall complete Box 15 (generator's certification) and enter the first date the tracking form is used. A copy of that specific tracking form may then be used for up to one year from the original date entered in Box 15; 4. A copy of the tracking form shall accompany each shipment of radioactive regulated medical waste from the generator to the supplier; 5. The generator shall use a registered regulated medical waste transporter;6. The supplier shall maintain a receiving log for each shipment, which may be in the form of its usual recordkeeping for the radioactive waste inventory, in which the following information is recorded: i. The date of receipt of the radioactive regulated medical waste shipment; ii. The type of radioactive regulated medical waste received and the number of containers of each type; and iii. The total quantity (in net or gross mass, capacity, or as otherwise appropriate), including the unit of measurement (for example, lbs., gal., Kg., or L) of each type of radioactive regulated medical waste received; and 7. The supplier shall, on a semi-annual basis, submit a summary of the receiving log information to the generator of the radioactive regulated medical waste and to the Department? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.19(h)]
Did generator exporting regulated medical waste to a foreign country for treatment, destruction, or disposal, request that the destination facility provide written confirmation that the waste was received? If the generator had not received that confirmation from the destination facility within 45 days from the date of acceptance of the waste by the first transporter, did the generator submit an exception report as required under N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.22? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.20(a)]
EXCEPTION REPORTING FOR GENERATORS
Did generator contact the owner or operator of the destination facility, transporter's), intermediate handler's) and collection facility's), as appropriate, to determine the status of any tracked waste when the generator did not receive a copy of the completed tracking form with the handwritten signature of the owner or operator of the destination facility within 35 days of the date the waste was accepted by the initial transporter? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.22(a)]
Did generator submit a generator exception report to the Department if the generator had not received a completed copy of the tracking form signed by the owner or operator of the destination facility within 45 days of the date the waste was accepted by the initial transporter, or if the tracking form for the waste was consolidated onto a new tracking form by a transporter or a collection facility in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.33, within 60 days of the date the waste was accepted by the initial transporter? Was the exception report postmarked on or before the 46th day following the date the waste was accepted by the initial transporter, or for loads consolidated by transporters or collection facilities, on or before the 61st day, and include: 1. A legible copy of the original tracking form for which the generator does not have confirmation of delivery; and 2. A cover letter signed by the generator or his authorized representative explaining the efforts taken to locate the regulated medical waste, and its final disposition if ascertained, and the results of those efforts? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.22(b)]
Was a copy of the generator exception report kept by the generator for a period of a least three years from the date the exception report was submitted unless the Department specifically requires an additional retention period? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.22(c)]
GENERATOR WASTE HANDLING REQUIREMENTS
Does generator segregate regulated medical waste intended for transport off-site to the extent practicable prior to placement in containers according to below. 1. Sharps (Classes 4 and 7 as defined at N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.6(a)) including sharps containing residual fluid; 2. Fluids (quantities greater than 20 cubic centimeters); and 3. Other regulated medical waste? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.10(b)]
Note: Other regulated medical waste described at N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.11(b)3 may be included in sharps containers. Such containers shall be managed at all times as sharps containers in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.11. The waste in these containers shall not be allowed to putrefy or be malodorous in any detectable manner. [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.10(c)]
Did the generator package, label, mark and manage as regulated medical waste all containers of solid waste and/or nonregulated medical waste mixed with regulated medical waste? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.10(d)]
Does generator ensure that all regulated medical waste is placed in a container or containers that are: 1. Rigid; 2. Leak-resistant; 3. Impervious to moisture; 4. Sufficiently strong to prevent tearing or bursting under normal conditions of use and handling; and 5. Sealed to prevent leakage during transport? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.11(b)]
Does generator package sharps and sharps with residual fluids in packaging or containers that are puncture-resistant; and package fluids (quantities greater than 20 cubic centimeters) in packaging or containers that are break-resistant and tightly lidded or stoppered? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.11(c)]
Note: Generators need not place oversized regulated medical waste in containers. Generators shall note any special handling instructions for these items in Box 14 of the medical waste tracking form. [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.11(d)]
Was solid waste that was not being managed as regulated medical waste not packaged for shipment inside a regulated medical waste container or in containers attached to, or part of, a regulated medical waste container? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.11(e)]
Does generator label each package of regulated medical waste and each individual container used at the specific location of initial generation immediately on use, to meet the packaging requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.11 and in accordance with all applicable Federal regulations including, but not limited to, 49 C.F.R. Parts 171-180 as amended and supplemented, before the waste is transported or offered for transport off-site as follows: 1. Each container of untreated regulated medical waste shall have a water-resistant label affixed to or printed on the outside of the container. The label shall include the words "Medical Waste," or "Infectious Waste," or display the universal biohazard symbol. Red plastic bag(s) used as an inner container need not display a label; and 2. Packages containing treated regulated medical wastes are not required to be labeled under this section but are required to be marked in accordance with the requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.15? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.14(a)]
Does generator (including intermediate handler) mark each individual container of regulated medical waste in accordance with all applicable Federal regulations including, but not limited to, 49 C.F.R. Parts 171-180 as amended and supplemented and according to the following marking requirements before the waste is removed from the generator's storage area and is transported or offered for transport off-site: 1. The outermost surface of the outer container or any inner container used to meet the packaging requirements at N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.11 shall be marked with a water-resistant identification tag of sufficient dimension to contain the following information: i. The generator's or intermediate handler's name; ii. The generator's or intermediate handler's address. If the generator or intermediate handler is not located in New Jersey, then use their state permit or identification number, and if their state does not issue permit or identification numbers, then use the generator's or intermediate handler's address; iii. The transporter's name; iv. The transporter's NJDEP solid waste registration number; v. The date of shipment; and vi. Identification of contents as medical waste? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.15(a)1]
If the generator has used inner containers, including sharps and fluid containers, is each inner container marked with indelible ink or imprinted with water-resistant tags which contain the following information: i. The generator's or intermediate handler's name; and ii. The generator's or intermediate handler's address. If the generator or intermediate handler is not located in New Jersey, then use their state permit or identification number, and if their state does not issue permit or identification numbers, then use the generator's or intermediate handler's address? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.15(a)2]
GENERATORS USING OUT-OF-STATE DISPOSAL FACILITIES
Did generator using an out-of-State intermediate handler, destination facility, transfer facility, or other medical waste disposal facility operating for any purpose that uses the U.S. Postal Service or other parcel delivery service in New Jersey and uses the U.S. Postal Service or other authorized mail or parcel delivery service to transport regulated medical waste from New Jersey to the out-of-State facility, request a certification from the out-of-State facility, which includes copies of any state and local authorizations and/or permits? Were copies of this certification sent by the generator to the Bureau of Medical Waste and Technical Assistance and was this information provided by the generator prior to sending any RMW out-of-State for disposal? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.48(a)]
Did generator using the out-of-State facility described in N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.48(a) also submit a certification of any and all changes to the out-of-State facilities authorizations or permits within 30 days of such changes? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.48(b)]
Did generator of regulated medical waste in this State, not send regulated medical waste by the U.S. Parcel Service or other parcel delivery service to an out-of-State facility that had not submitted a certification to the Department in accordance with this section? [N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.48(c)]