Colorado Biohazard Waste Regulations

Highlighted Requirements

Putrescible medical waste that is not refrigerated, frozen, or treated on-site may be stored on-site for no more than 30 days as long as the waste is packaged to meet all OSHA and US DOT requirements prior to being placed in storage

Medical waste that is packaged to meet all OSHA and US DOT requirements and is kept refrigerated (45ºF degrees or less) or frozen may be stored on-site for no more than 90 days.

On-site storage of non-putrescible medical waste, including sealed sharps containers, sealed nonhazardous waste pharmaceutical containers, and trace chemotherapy waste, may not exceed 90 days.

Overview

Colorado’s medical waste disposal regulations are managed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division. The complete detailed disposal requirements are outlined in Medical Waste Regulations, Section 13 (pdf) . The Department of Public Health and Environment has an online guide for Health Care Facilities

OSHA Regulations

In addition to the state medical waste environmental regulations there are some Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules that apply to medical/infectious waste. Colorado is one of 26 states covered entirely by the federal OSHA program. 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.