to main content Regulated Waste - OSHA Definition | Home Care | Environment of Care EC | The Joint Commission
Regulated Waste - OSHA Definition
Print

What is the definition of "regulated waste?"

Back to FAQs
Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.  
 
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Per OSHA, The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard uses the term, "regulated waste," to refer to the following categories of waste:  
  • liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious materials 
  • contaminated items that would release blood or other potentially infectious materials in a liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed 
  • items that are caked with dried blood or other potentially infectious materials and are capable of releasing these materials during handling 
  • contaminated sharps 
  • and pathological and microbiological wastes containing blood or other potentially infectious materials.  
Organizations should also check with their state regulatory agencies as some states have additional items which is considered regulated waste or regulated medical waste.   
 
Reference EC.02.02.01 
Manual: Home Care
Chapter: Environment of Care EC
First published date: April 11, 2016 This Standards FAQ was first published on this date.
This page was last updated on October 25, 2021
Back to FAQs

If no, please comment on how we could improve this response.

If you have additional standards-related questions regarding this topic, please use the Standards Online Submission Form