PDFWAC 296-823-14025
Make sure items are appropriately labeled.
EXEMPTIONS: | The following are exempt from the labeling requirements of this chapter: |
1. Individual containers placed in an appropriately labeled secondary container. | |
2. Regulated waste that has been decontaminated. | |
3. Containers of blood, blood components, or blood products that are labeled with their contents and have been released for transfusion or other clinical use. | |
4. Extracted teeth, gallstones, kidney stones, or other tissues and body substances that are given to patients. |
(1) You must attach appropriate labels to:
(a) Containers used to store, transport, or ship blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) including:
(i) Refrigerators;
(ii) Freezers.
(b) Sharps containers;
(c) Contaminated equipment;
(d) Laundry bags and containers;
(e) Specimen containers;
(f) Regulated waste containers.
(2) You must make sure that labels:
(a) Include the following symbol:
 |
(b) Are all or mostly fluorescent orange or orange-red with lettering and symbol in a contrasting color.
(c) Are attached to the container by string, wire, adhesive, or other method so they can't become lost or accidentally removed.
Note: | Red bags or red containers may be substituted for labels as long as they're: |
1. Covered in the exposure control plan. | |
2. Communicated to all affected employees (including employees of laundry services, disposal services, and transport companies) whether they're your employees or not. | |
3. The label does not always need to be attached to each individual container. | |
4. For example, a cart carrying specimen containers could be labeled, rather than each individual container. |
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050. WSR 15-23-086, § 296-823-14025, filed 11/17/15, effective 12/18/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 04-12-070, § 296-823-14025, filed 6/1/04, effective 9/1/04; WSR 03-09-110, § 296-823-14025, filed 4/22/03, effective 8/1/03.]