Q: In
our medical practice, when sharps containers are full, they are taken to a
storeroom to be picked up and removed on a weekly basis. Is there a regulation
that states whether this room must be locked?
A: There
is no federal OSHA regulation requiring a lock on the door to the regulated
medical waste (RMW) storage area, only that you post signs to warn those who
are about to enter. However, state law usually takes precedence for regulated
waste storage, and some states may require a locked area, especially if it is
separated or outside your facility. For your state RMW laws, go to the EPA web
page: "Where You Live - State Medical
Waste Programs and Regulations."