Biomedical Waste Programs

Definition of Biomedical Waste per Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 64E-16.002

Biomedical Waste is:

 Any liquid or solid waste that may present a threat of infection to humans which includes nonliquid tissue, body parts, blood, blood products, any body fluids from humans and other primates; laboratory and veterinary wastes which contain human disease-causing agents and discarded sharps.

The following are also included:

1. a) Used, absorbent materials saturated with blood, blood products, body fluids, or excretions or secretions contaminated with visible blood and absorbent materials saturated with blood or blood products that have dried.
2. b) Non-absorbent, disposable devices that have been contaminated with blood, body fluids or secretions or excretions visibly contaminated with blood but have not been treated by an approved method.

Facilities who generate, transport, store and or treat Biomedical Waste must obtain a Biomedical Waste Permit from the Department of Health in the county in which the facility operates. Some examples of facilities include: Dental Offices, Acupunctures, Veterinary Services, Hospitals, Crime Scene Cleanups, Medical Offices, Laboratories, Research Centers etc.

All Rules relative to biomedical waste generators, transporters, storage and treatment facilities can be found in the Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 64 E-16.

https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/biomedical-waste/_documents/64E-16.pdf

How to Apply for a Permit

Note: Before Applying for a permit, please contact your local County Health Department for information relating to the correct mailing address and fee.

• To apply for a Generator’s Permit, complete and return the Application for Biomedical Waste Generator/Permit Exemption, Form DH4089 county health department biomedical waste coordinator with the fee of $.85.00.

https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/biomedical-waste/_documents/ApplicationforBiomedicalWasteGeneratorPermit6.22.18.pdf

• To register as Biomedical Waste Transporter, complete Department of Health form DH4106 and submit to county health department biomedical waste coordinator. The fee for the transporter registration varies, as it is based on the number of transport vehicles used.

https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/biomedical-waste/_documents/4106.pdf

• Facilities who store biomedical waste also need a permit. A completed Application for Biomedical Waste Storage form DH4107 must be submitted to the county health department biomedical waste coordinator with the fee of $.85.00.

https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/biomedical-waste/_documents/4107.pdf

• To register as a Commercial Treatment of Biomedical Waste, complete an Application for Biomedical Waste Treatment permit, form DH4111 and submit to the county health department biomedical waste coordinator with the fee of $.85.00.

https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/biomedical-waste/_documents/4111.pdf

• To apply for a Sharps Collection Program Permit, complete and return an application for Biomedical Waste Sharps Collection Program Permit, form DH4108 to the county health department biomedical waste coordinator. There is no charge for this permit.

https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/biomedical-waste/_documents/4108.pdf

Oversight or Inspection of Biomedical Waste Management is conducted to assure proper identification, segregation, containment, storage, labeling and treatment of Biomedical Waste. The department has provided and established parameters for the safe handling and treatment of biomedical waste which can be found in the Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 64E-16.

All facilities in hold of a biomedical waste permit must maintain a biomedical waste Operating plan that is specific to the facility. A template of this plan can be found below for guidance into creating a site-specific plan:

https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/biomedical-waste/_documents/operating_plan.pdf

Biomedical Waste generated by individuals in their own homes from use of syringes or diagnostic lancets also should be properly managed. The Department of Health in Miami-Dade County offers needle collection services to the community at the following sites:

Complaints concerning biomedical waste are investigated by County Health Departments. Small amounts of improperly disposed biomedical waste are cleaned up under Department of Health supervision. Emergency situations are referred to the Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Emergency Response, at (850) 245-2010.

Helpful links:

• Commercial Approved Biomedical Waste Treatment Facilities:

https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/biomedical-waste/treatment-facilites.html

• Biomedical Waste Red Bag List

https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/biomedical-waste/red-bag-list.html

• Registered Biomedical Waste Transporters

https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/biomedical-waste/bmw-transporter-list.html

• Trauma Scene Cleanup Providers

https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/biomedical-waste/trauma-scene-clean-up-list.html

• Biomedical Waste Statewide Coordinators

https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/biomedical-waste/new-contacts.html

• Biomedical Waste Transporter Annual Report

https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/biomedical-waste/_documents/4109.pdf 

• Biomedical Waste Treatment Annual Report

https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/biomedical-waste/_documents/4110.pdf