Mississippi Biohazard Waste Regulations

Highlighted Requirements

None Listed

Overview

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has not, at this time, developed comprehensive regulations regarding the transportation and management of infectious medical waste. However, the proper transportation, management and disposal of infectious medical waste in Mississippi are regulated under the general provisions of the Mississippi Solid Waste Law and the Mississippi Nonhazardous Waste Management Regulations. More information can be found on the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality Medical Waste Fact Sheet

The Mississippi State Department of Health regulates the on-site storage and management of medical waste through the Adopted Standards for the Regulation of Medical Waste in Health Care Facilities Licensed by the Mississippi State Department of Health. For information on the regulation of commercial management of medical wastes, contact the Solid Waste Management Branch at the Department of Environmental Quality. More information can be found on the  Adopted Standards for the Regulation of Medical Waste

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. Mississippi 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.