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Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Medical Waste
Date: February 23, 2012 4:33:51 PM EST
Author: Jeffrey Lewin 		Next by Date:
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Medical Waste
Date: February 23, 2012 3:17:21 PM EST
Author: Eric Clark

From: bill parks <misterbill21225**At_Symbol_Here**YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Medical Waste
Date: February 23, 2012 2:44:39 PM EST
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: <390C703D90CE97409F79127132E33D342025B2A3D4**At_Symbol_Here**usto-pmsg-mbs05.am.corp.amgen.com>

He seems to be interpreting the very strict interpretation of "....shall be tied...". Does California publish interpretations like OSHA does?

You also might be able to convince him that the "goose-necking" you're doing is more effective. We do that in asbestos removal. Then put the bag in another bag - neck first - and gooseneck the outer bag as well. That would be quite a slow-down for a high throughput operation though.

 
Bill Parks
RPIH, CHST, LSP, CHMP, CEHT
CHEMPHYXX......is now LinkedIn
630/380-4032

**Providing sound Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Health & IAQ, Environmental Science, and Laboratory support services and solutions**

From: "Arvedson, Steve" <stephena@AMGEN.COM>
To: DCHAS-L@MED.CORNELL.EDU
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2012 2:26 PM
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Medical Waste


What about plastic cable (“zip”) ties?  You could fold the bag over like you’re doing, and secure it by wrapping the fold with one or more cable ties.

Steve

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Eric Clark
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2012 11:12 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Medical Waste

 

Folks,

We had a medical waste inspection and nearly got by unscathed.  Seems the MW inspector wants us to put a granny knot in the top of the red MW bags.  The problem with a granny knot is that we lose a third of the bag volume, and liquid leaks out unless you pull it tight with the strength of Hercules.  We're a high throughput operation and as a MW LQG we take out lots of MW bags all day long. 

California Medical Waste Act says in Section 118280 (a) - Containment and Storage: "The bags shall be tied to prevent leakage or expulsion of contents during all future storage, handling, or transport." 

We gather the top, tightly twist, fold over, and secure with multiple wrappings of autoclave tape.  The MW inspector insists on a knot.  And we really don't want to do a hearing on this. 

Anybody have another suggestion?  Maybe something you've tried, like autoclave bag clips? Clamps? 

Maybe it's time to invent and market niche device. 

Eric

 

Eric Clark, MS, CCHO, CHMM

Safety & Compliance Officer

Los Angeles County Public Health Lab

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