Oregon Biohazard Waste Regulations

Highlighted Requirements

Pathological waste, biological waste and cultures/stocks shall be treated or disposed within seven days of generation, unless it is refrigerated (between 33 and 48 degrees Fahrenheit) or frozen (less than 32 degrees Fahrenheit). Refrigerated or frozen infectious waste may be stored 30 days prior to treatment or disposal.

Generators that produce 50 pounds or less of infectious waste in any calendar month shall be exempt from the requirements pertaining to storage times and temperatures

Overview

Oregon’s medical waste disposal regulations are managed by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. The complete detailed disposal requirements are outlined in Oregon Infectious Waste Statutes (RS 459.386 – 459.405) . The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has an informational page on their website here

OSHA Regulations

In addition to the state medical waste environmental regulations there are some Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules that apply to medical/infectious waste. Oregon is one of 24 states operating an approved occupational safety and health program. This program is operated by the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division. OSHA rules (Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Standards) impact various aspects of medical/infectious waste, including management of sharps, requirements for containers that hold or store medical/infectious waste, labeling of medical/infectious waste bags/containers, and employee training.