# St. John's Health System — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 02-0155
- **title:** St. John's Health System — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2002-08-16
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 02-0155 response to St. John's Health System concerning 173.134.
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- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0155.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0155
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2002/020155.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

.5. Departmen
400 Seventh St., S.W.
f Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
Research and
pecial Program
dministratio
AUG 16 2002
Mr. Stephen A. Kemp
Reference No. 02-0155
Director, Environmental Services
St. John's Health System
1235 East Cherokee
Springfield, MO 65804-2263
Dear Mr. Kemp:
This is in response to your letter and July 16, 2002 telephone conversation with a member of my
: "
staff concerning the transportation of "Regulated medical waste, 6:2, UN 3291, PG II" under 49
CFR 173.134(b)(3).
Your understanding of the exceptions in § 173.134(b)(3) is correct. As provided by
excepted froin: (1) the "INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCE" label, if the outer packaging is marked
§ 173.134(b)(3), a regulated medical waste that is transported by a private or contract carrier is
with a "BIOHAZARD" marking conforming to 29 CFR 1910.1030, and (2) for other than a
waste culture or'stock of an infectious substance, the specific packaging requirements in
§ 173.197, if packaged in a rigid, non-bulk, non-specification packaging conforming to
§§ 173.24 and 173.24a, and 29 CFR 1910.1030.
I hope this satisfies your request.
Sincerely
Hothe z. Mither
Hattie L. Mitchell
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
020155
173.134

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Edmonson
$173.134
MERCY
§ 173:197
HEALTH SYSTEM
ST. JOHN'S
Regulated Medical
USDOT
Waste
RSA
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
02-0155
400 7th Street, DHM10 8422
Edward Mazzullo
S.W. Washington, D.C., 20590
May 16, 2002
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
requirements for Regulated Medical Waste when it is being packaged, handled and transported
The purpose of this letter is to confirm my understanding/interpretation. of the packaging
by a Health System utilizing its own employees and vehicles.
surrounding communities that produce small quantities of Regulated Medical Waste. We have a
St. Johns Health System is a fully integrated health care network with physician's clinics in the
steam sterilizer on the Main Campus of our Health Center that is utilized to sterilize RMW so it
Physicians Clinics backito the Health Center for sterilization and disposal using our vehicles and
can be appropriately disposed. Currently we are packaging and transporting RMW from the
employees.
applicable to my operation. It is my interpretation that as a private carrierjunder 49 CFR 173.134
I am seeking clarification of the packaging requirements related to the packaging of RMW
we are excepted from the packaging and labeling requirements of 49 CFR 173.197.
Under this exception we are required to:
1. Package in rigid non-bulk packaging that conforms to the general packaging requirements of
2. The packages must be marked with the "BIOHAZARD" marking in accordance with the
173.24, 173.24a and 29 CFR 1910.1030.
Department of Labor regulations in 29 CFR 1910.1030.
Under the exception we are not required to do the following:
2. Include the specific UN identification number on the packaging label.
1. Use a package certified at the Packing Group II level.
Please advise me at the address below as to the accuracy of my interpretation of the regulations
as they apply to my situation.
Sincerely,
Sten Athe
Stephen A. Kemp,
Director, Environmental Services
(417) 885-2834
417-885-2000 ph.
1235 EAST CHEROKEE • SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI 65804-2263
opportunity/affirmative action employer, St. Jahn's does not discriminste against anyone on the basis of race, color, national origin, roligion, age, sex or disability.
St. John's Heelth System, a member of the Sisters of Mercy Health System - St. Louis, is a Christian ministry dedicated to healing and wellness. As an equal
• St. John's facilities are smoke-free environments. Smoking is not permitted on St. John's Health System property.
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