{"operation":"document","citation":"02-0303","title":"Health Care Waste Services — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2003-05-01","effective_on":null,"summary":"02-0303 response to Health Care Waste Services concerning 173.197.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0303.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0303.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0303","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2002/020303.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nS. Departmer\nf Transportatio\n400 Seventh St., S.W.\nResearch and\nMAY 1\n2003\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nspecial Programs\nAdministration\nMr. Joseph Orlando\nHealth Care Waste Services\nReference No.: 02-0303\n1370 Viele Avenue\nBronx, NY 10474\nDear Mr. Orlando:\nThis is in response to your letter asking if your company's 1.5 gallon reusable sharps container\ndesigned to transport \"Regulated medical waste (RMW), 6.2, UN 3291, PG II\" must comply\nwith the requirements in 49 CFR 173.197(e)(3) for a sharps inner packaging in a non-\nspecification bulk packaging under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts\n171-180). We apologize for the delay in responding and any inconvenience this may have\ncaused.\nThe answer is no. The requirements in § 173.197(e)(3) apply only to a sharps packaging\nintended for transportation in a large packaging, wheeled cart (Cart), or bulk outer packaging\n(BOP). However, other requirements in the HMR do apply to non-bulk sharps containers.\nSection 173.197(b) authorizes the use of a non-bulk single or combination packaging that is\npuncture-resistant and meets the requirements in Part 178 at the Packing Group II performance\nlevel. Section 173.134(c) authorizes the use of a non-bulk, non-specification packaging that\nmeets the general packaging requirements in 49 CFR 173.24 and 173.24a, and those of the U.S.\nprovided the sharps are transported by a private or contract carrier. Also, note that § 173.28(f)\nDepartment of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, in 29 CFR 1910.1030,\nrequires reusable Division 6.2 packagings to be disinfected prior to reuse.\nI hope this satisfies your request.\nSincerely,\nHothe 2 Mitchels\nHattie L. Mitchell, Chief\nRegulatory Review and Reinvention\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n173.197\n020303\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\n!\nEdmorson\nUrUC\nHealth Safe Waste Services\n§ 173 197\nRegulated Medical Waste\n02-0303\n1370 Viele Ave. Bronx, NY 10474\nTEL (718) 842-9486 FAX (718) 842-9722\nNovember 16, 2002\nDepartment of Transportation\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards,\nResearch and Special Program Administration\n400 Seventh Street SW\nWashington DC 20590\nAttn: Susan Gorsky\nRe: Federal Register Part III 49 CFR Part 171 et. al.\nDear Ms. Gorsky,\nI have read Part III Department of Transportation 49 CFR Part 171 et. al. and have a\nquestion concerning section 173.197 Regulated medical waste (3) Sharps. My company\nHealth Care Waste Services provides a reusable container exchange service to man›\nwould like to verify that this section (173.197 Regulated medical waste (3) Sharps)\nnedical providers and one of our products is a 1.5 Gallon reusable sharps container. I\nor BOP. If the 1.5 gallon reusable container is not transported in Large Packaging, Cart,\napplies only if the 1.5 Gallon reusable container is transported in Large Packaging, Cart,\n173.197 Regulated medical waste (3) Sharps\nSharps transported in a Large Packaging, Cart, BOP must be packaged in a puncture-\n(i)\nThe sharps container is specifically approved and certified by the U.S. Food\n(ii)\n(ili)\nThe sharps container must be disinfected prior to reuse by any means effective\n(iv)\nfor the infectious substance the container previously contaminated.\nThe sharps container must have a capacity greater than 7.57 L (2 Gallons) and\nnot greater than 151.42 L (40 gallons) in volume.\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nI would appreciate a written response to my request as soon as possible.\nIf you have any questions please call (718) 842-9627.\nSincerely,\nJoseph Shorts.\nHealth Care Waste Services\ndotletter.doc","truncated":false,"body_characters":3543}