Is vomit required to be disposed of in a labeled or color-coded, biohazard waste container?

Only “regulated waste” needs to be disposed of in a labeled or color-coded container, in accordance with 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii). Regulated waste means:

• Liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM);
• Contaminated items that would release blood or OPIM in a liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed;
• Items that are caked with dried blood or OPIM and are capable of releasing these materials during handling;
• Contaminated sharps; and
• Pathological and microbiological wastes containing blood or OPIM.

Because vomit is not blood, the heart of the answer depends on whether the vomit is an OPIM.

OPIM means, among other things, any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids. Therefore, OSHA requires vomit to be disposed of in a labeled or color-coded container only if it is contaminated with visible blood or where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids.

If the vomit is not OPIM, it may be tossed in the regular garbage from an OSHA standpoint.

However, you may wish to check with your state environmental agency to determine whether your state regulates vomit as a medical or infectious waste and whether it has any special disposal requirements.