1. (1) A facility which generates medical waste shall register with the Department according to the requirements found at 335-17-8.
2. (2) Generators of medical waste shall prepare, maintain and update as necessary a written plan to ensure proper management of medical waste. This plan must be made available to the Department upon request. This plan shall address the following as applicable to the generators:
3. (a) The type of medical waste generated;
4. (b) Proper collection, packaging and labeling procedures of untreated and treated medical waste intended for off-site transportation should meet the requirements found at 335-17-3;
5. (c) Treatment method to be utilized on-site;
6. (d) Transporter to be utilized for the transport of any untreated medical waste off-site;
7. 1. Name of transporter, address and telephone number of a responsible person ; and
8. 2. ADEM permit number;
9. (e) Storage facilities utilized off-site;
10. 1. Name of storage facility, address and telephone number of a responsible person for all off-site storage facilities; and
11. 2. ADEM permit number for all off-site facilities.
12. (f) All treatment/processing facilities utilized;
13. 1. Name, address and telephone number of all treatment/processing facilities; and
14. 2. ADEM permit number for all off-site facilities.
15. (g) All disposal facilities utilized if on-site treatment occurs;
16. 1. Name of disposal facility as it appears on their permit;
17. 2. Permittee of disposal facility; and
18. 3. ADEM permit number.
19. (h) Frequency medical waste is removed off-site from medical waste generator’s facility.
20. (i) Training of employees. Facility personnel whose duties have a direct effect on medical waste management and/or medical waste accumulation, whether by direct contact with medical waste or through medical waste management activities, shall receive appropriate training.
21. (3) Medical waste shall be maintained in a non-putrescent state during accumulation.
22. (4) Accumulation of untreated medical waste shall meet the following criteria:
23. (a) Accumulation as used in this rule shall begin after a shipping container is prepared for shipment to a storage or treatment facility.

24. (b) Accumulation of medical waste by generators who generate 220 pounds or more per month of medical waste shall not exceed thirty (30) calendar days from the accumulation date as described in 335-17-2-.01(4)(a). Generators who generate less than 220 pounds per month of medical waste may accumulate medical waste for up to six (6) months.

    (c)Accumulation areas shall be conspicuously identified with signs which contain either the phrase "Medical Waste,", "Infectious Waste", "Biohazardous", or display the International Biological Hazard Symbol.

25. (d) Surfaces of accumulation areas which may come into contact with untreated medical waste shall be constructed of smooth, easily cleanable materials that are impervious to liquids.
26. (e) Accumulation areas shall be operated in such a manner to minimize entry by rodents or vectors.
27. (5) Medical waste, such as liquids which are amenable to disposal by sanitary sewer, may be discharged subject to the following conditions:
28. (a) Sanitary sewer system must provide secondary treatment;
29. (b) Solid and liquid waste removed from systems which do not provide secondary treatment (e.g., holding tanks) must be further processed in a sanitary sewer system that provides secondary treatment. Prior approval for sewer systems not regulated by the Water Division of the Department must be obtained from the Local Health Officer.
30. (c) Sanitary sewer system shall be operated in such a manner that medical waste will not bypass the treatment facility during normal operating conditions.

Author: James L. Bryant. Ashley S. Powell

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§22-27-9, 22-27-12.

History: New Rule: Filed December 12, 2011; effective January 16, 2012. Amended: Published December 31, 2024; effective February 14, 2025. Amended: Published June 30, 2025; effective August 14, 2025.