West Virginia Biohazard Waste Regulations

Highlighted Requirements

Infectious medical waste other than sharps shall not be stored for more than thirty (30) days prior to transportation to an infectious medical waste management facility, even if refrigerated.

Hospitals and similar healthcare facilities must provide public notice on intent to apply for a permit and maintain a public participation file. The application for a permit must be submitted to Department of Health and Human Resources on prescribed forms. Permits must be renewed annually.

Overview

West Virginia’s medical waste disposal regulations are managed by the Office of Environmental Health Services Public Health Sanitation Division. The complete detailed disposal requirements are outlined in Series 56: Infectious Medical Waste. The Department of Health and Human Resources runs a Infectious Medical Waste Program website that can be found here

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. West Viriginia 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.