8.38.130 Requirements and Standards for Infectious Waste Permits.
This Section requires an infectious waste management permit (IWMP) for the generation, transportation, storage, or treatment of any infectious waste unless specifically excluded by this Chapter. Persons required to have infectious waste management permits shall have such permits during the active life of the facility. A permit may be issued or denied for one or more activities without simultaneously issuing or denying a permit for all activities.
A. Infectious Waste Management Permit (IWMP) Classifications.
1. IWMP Class I (Generators):
a. IWMP Class I-A: An Infectious Waste Management Permit Class I-A shall be required for all generators of less than 50 lbs of infectious waste per month.
b. IWMP Class I-B: An Infectious Waste Management Permit Class I-B shall be required of generators of 50 to 100 lbs of infectious waste per month.
c. IWMP Class I-C: An Infectious Waste Management Permit Class I-C shall be required of generators of more than 100 lbs of infectious waste per month.
2. IWMP Class II (Transporters): An Infectious Waste Management Permit Class II shall be required of all transporters of infectious waste, (e.g., infectious waste disposal companies).
3. IWMP Class III (On/Off-site Storage and/or Treatment Facilities): An IWMP Class III shall be required for the operation of any facility that stores and/or treats infectious waste that is generated on-site (waste generated on the premises owned or operated by the generator), or off-site (waste generated off the premises owned or operated by the generator).
B. Exemptions. Class I-A or I-B generators who transport only infectious wastes generated at the premises owned or operated by the generators are exempt from the Class II permit fee and regulation requirements for transporters of infectious waste. Class I-A or I-B generators that treat infectious waste at the premises owned or operated by the generators, shall be exempt from the Class III permit fee, but shall be responsible for compliance with Chapter requirements applicable to treatment methods for infectious waste.
Class III on/off-site storage and/or treatment facilities that are also Class I-C generators, and/or Class II transporters of infectious waste shall be exempt from the Class I-C and Class II permit fees, but shall be responsible for compliance with ordinance or Code requirements applicable to infectious waste generators and transporters.
C. Effective Dates. The effective dates are as follows:
1. The permit requirements of this Section apply to existing infectious waste facilities and transporters 90 days after the effective date of the implementing ordinance of this Chapter.
2. Between the effective date of the implementing ordinance and 90 days thereafter, existing facilities and transporters will operate under the terms and conditions of existing permits valid on the effective date of the implementing ordinance.
3. New and expanded waste handling facilities shall meet the requirements of this Section on the effective date of the implementing ordinance.
D. Procedures for Permits.
1. Any owner or operator subject to the permit requirements who intends to operate a facility must apply for a permit with the Department. Filing shall not be complete until the application has been signed by the owner and operator and received by the Department.
2. Applications for a permit must contain the information set forth in subsection 3 of this Section.
3. The Department shall review every application within a reasonable period of time to determine whether the facilities meet and conform with the approved infectious waste ordinance or Code.
4. The Board of Health may establish reasonable fees for permits and renewal of permits.
5. When the Department has evaluated all pertinent information, it may issue a permit. Every completed infectious waste management permit application shall be approved or disapproved within 90 days after its receipt by the Department or the applicant shall be informed as to the status of the application.
6. All new, expanded, or altered Class III treatment facilities shall file an environmental checklist as required under the State Environmental Policy Act rules, Chapter 197-11 of the Washington Administrative Code.
7. The owner or operator of a facility shall apply for renewal of the facility's permit annually. The Department shall annually:
a. Review the original application for compliance with this Chapter.
b. Review information collected from annual inspections, complaints, or known changes in the operations.
c. Collect the renewal fee.
d. Renew the permit.
e. File the renewed permit no more than seven days after the date of issuance.
f. Inform facilities regarding permit expiration and renewal date.
E. Permit application contents for existing, new, or expanded facilities.
1. The permit application shall include the following information submitted on a form available from the Department for each IWMP Class:
a. A general description of the facility or operation, including name, mailing address, and location of facility, or area served, if a transporter.
b. The address(es) and phone number(s) of the person(s) or committee(s) responsible for implementing infectious waste management policies and procedures.
c. The name, address, and telephone number of the owner/operator and/or administrator of the facility or operation, and indication of the status as federal, state, private, public, or other entity.
d. An indication of whether the facility is new or existing.
e. A listing of relevant state and local environmental permits.
f. The types and maximum amount of infectious waste generated, transported, stored, and/or treated monthly.
g. An applicable infectious waste management plan as described in 8.38.080 C.
h. A statement certifying that the applicant understands and will comply with the applicable requirements of this Chapter.
2. In addition to the above requirements, the following information will be required for Class II and III permits.
a. IWMP Class II
(1) A list of all vehicles and reusable transport containers. The vehicles listed must be registered to the applicant pursuant to a lease or contract and included in applicant's required insurance coverage.
(2) Proof, via annual inspection, that all trucks, trailers, semi-trailers, vacuum tanks, cargo tanks, and containers which are used by the applicant for transportation of infectious waste on highways are in compliance with the provisions of this Chapter.
(3) Possession of a permit for transportation of infectious waste on highways from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC), except where exempt by the WUTC.
b. IWMP Class III
(1) A description of the processes to be used for storing and/or treating infectious waste.
(2) A description of the containment and refrigeration systems.
F. Record Keeping. Applicants shall keep records of all data used to complete permit applications, and any supplemental information submitted for a period of at least three years from the date the application is signed.