Information for Incinerator Operators and Facilities with Incinerators

Infectious Medical Waste & Disease Control

Information for Incinerator Operators and Facilities with Incinerators

EPA - Rule and Implementation Information for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators

IW-02: Incinerator Operator Application

 

OPERATORS

The West Virginia Infectious Medical Waste Rule, section 10.2.f. requires incinerator operators to be registered with the Infectious Medical Waste program.

Operator Renewal Training Requirements:

Incinerator operators are required to renew their training every year. To maintain qualification, operators must complete at least a four (4) hour annual review or refresher course covering, at a minimum, the five topics described in this section.

Update of regulations.
Incinerator operation; including startup and shutdown procedures,
waste charging, and ash handling.
Inspection and maintenance.
Responses to malfunctions or conditions that may lead to malfunction.
Discussion of operating problems encountered by attendees.

New Operator Training and Qualification Requirements:

Operators will obtain a registration number only after having completed a course of study approved by the program, obtaining a passing score on a written examination, and paying the applicable fee.

Operator training and qualification must be obtained through a State approved program or by completing the requirements listed below.

Training must be obtained by completing an incinerator operator training course that includes, at a minimum, the three elements described in this section.

  1. 24 hours of training on the thirteen subjects listed this section
    • (i) Environmental concerns, including pathogen destruction and types of emissions.
      (ii) Basic combustion principles, including products of combustion.
      (iii) Operation of the specific type of incinerator to be used by the operator, including proper startup, waste charging, and shutdown procedures.
      (iv) Combustion controls and monitoring.
      (v) Operation of air pollution control equipment and factors affecting performance (if applicable).
      (vi) Methods to monitor pollutants (continuous emission monitoring systems and monitoring of HMIWI and air pollution control device operating parameters) and equipment calibration procedures (where applicable);
      (vii) Inspection and maintenance of the HMIWI, air pollution control devices, and continuous emission monitoring systems;
      (viii) Actions to correct malfunctions or conditions that may lead to malfunction;
      (ix) Bottom and fly ash characteristics and handling procedures;
      (x) Applicable Federal, State, and local regulations;
      (xi) Work safety procedures;
      (xii) Pre-startup inspections; and
      (xiii) Recordkeeping requirements.
  2. An examination designed and administered by the instructor.
  3. Written material covering the training course topics that can serve as reference material following completion of the course.

Qualification:

Qualification is valid from the date on which the examination is passed or the completion of the required experience, whichever is later, and shall be obtained by:

  1. Completion of a training course that satisfies the criteria under paragraph (c) of this section:
  2. Either 6 months experience as an HMIWI operator,
    6 months experience as a direct supervisor of an HMIWI operator, or
    completion of at least two burn cycles under the observation of two qualified HMIWI operators.

Lapsed qualification shall be renewed by one of the following methods:

  1. For a lapse of less than 3 years, the HMIWI operator shall complete and pass a standard annual refresher course described in paragraph (f) of this section.
  2. For a lapse of 3 years or more, the HMIWI operator shall complete and pass a training course with the minimum criteria described in paragraph (c) of this section.

FACILITIES

The West Virginia Infectious Medical Waste Rule, 64CSR56, addresses incineration in sections 10 & 11.

Section 10.2.a. - All owners and operators of infectious medical waste incinerators are required to comply with applicable State laws and with rules of the West Virginia Air Pollution Control Commission.

Section 11.2 - a Commercial Infectious Medical Waste Management Facility, one that received more than 35% of their total waste from off-site, can not utilize incineration technology in any form.

INCINERATOR INSTALLATION

Additionally, all Incinerators used for Infectious Medical Waste must meet all necessary West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection requirements. 

The WV Rule references Federal EPA Regulation 40-CFR-62, Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources.