Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google

OSHA Medical Waste Management Quiz

Quick OSHA medical waste practice test with instant results and helpful tips

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Adity TibrewalaUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for OSHA medical waste management quiz on dark blue background

This OSHA medical waste management quiz helps you check how you sort regulated waste, choose proper containers, label items, and handle cleanup safely. To build skills beyond waste, take the sharps safety quiz and the medication safety quiz, or explore dangerous goods questions and answers.

Which OSHA standard primarily governs handling of regulated medical waste in healthcare settings?
29 CFR 1910.134 Respiratory Protection
29 CFR 1910.1030 Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
29 CFR 1910.120 Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response
29 CFR 1910.1200 Hazard Communication
undefined
According to OSHA, which of the following meets the definition of regulated waste under the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?
Office paper with no visible contamination
Unbroken, empty saline bottles
Liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious materials
Uncontaminated packaging materials
undefined
What color is commonly used for bags or containers to signify biohazardous waste under OSHA labeling conventions?
Blue with white recycling symbol
Fluorescent orange or orange-red with biohazard symbol
Black with skull-and-crossbones symbol
Green with leaf icon
undefined
Sharps must be disposed of in containers that are puncture-resistant, leakproof on sides and bottom, and which additional requirement?
Made of metal only
Closable and labeled or color-coded with a biohazard symbol
Transparent to view contents
Fitted with a locking lid requiring a key
undefined
True sharps safety practice under OSHA includes which engineering control?
Bending needles to fit in smaller containers
Breaking needles before disposal
Recapping needles with two hands
Use of needleless systems or sharps with engineered sharps injury protections (SESIPs)
undefined
OSHA requires training on bloodborne pathogens for covered employees at what minimum frequency?
At the time of initial assignment and at least annually thereafter
Only when regulations change
Only upon employee request
Every 5 years or after an incident
undefined
Which disinfectant type is acceptable for decontaminating surfaces visibly contaminated with blood under OSHA guidance?
EPA-registered hospital disinfectant effective against HBV and HIV or a 1:10 bleach solution (if appropriate)
Glass cleaner
Air freshener spray
Water only
undefined
OSHA requires that contaminated laundry be transported in containers or bags that are labeled or color-coded and which other feature if leakage is possible?
Kept open for ventilation
Leak-resistant
Clear and transparent
Made from cloth only
undefined
Under OSHA, when must employers provide the hepatitis B vaccination to employees with occupational exposure?
Only after an exposure incident occurs
Only if requested by a supervisor
After training and within 10 working days of initial assignment
Within one year of hire regardless of exposure
undefined
Which labeling element is required on containers of regulated waste per OSHA?
A DOT Class 3 flammable liquid label
The universal biohazard symbol and the term Biohazard
A GHS flame pictogram
A radiation trefoil symbol
undefined
Which statement best describes OSHA requirements for reusable sharps containers?
They must be handled and processed so that employees are not exposed to sharps injuries or contamination
They must be transparent to verify fill level
They must be disposable after one use
They must be emptied by hand without tools
undefined
When moving a container of liquid regulated waste, OSHA requires which practice if leakage is possible?
Carry it without a lid to equalize pressure
Use red bags instead of rigid containers
Dilute the waste with water before moving
Place the primary container in a secondary container that is closable and leakproof
undefined
Work practice controls to reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens include which action?
Wearing double gloves at all times in the facility
Posting signs in lieu of training
Using only plastic sharps for injections
Prohibiting eating and drinking in areas where occupational exposure could occur
undefined
After an exposure incident, which document must be provided to the evaluating healthcare professional?
A copy of the employee's tax records
The employee's full medical history and unrelated diagnoses
The facility's financial statements
A description of the employee's duties related to the exposure, exposure circumstances, and source information if available
undefined
Which statement about OSHA and pharmaceutical hazardous waste is accurate?
OSHA sets the disposal concentration limits for pharmaceuticals
OSHA prohibits all on-site neutralization of pharma waste
OSHA issues DOT shipping papers for pharma waste
OSHA governs worker exposure and handling precautions; RCRA and state rules regulate disposal
undefined
Which records related to post-exposure evaluation and follow-up must the employer maintain as confidential medical records?
Facility-wide injury logs for all staff
Employee vaccination status and healthcare professional's written opinion
Billing statements for patients
Training rosters for housekeeping staff
undefined
OSHA requires employers to consider and implement safer medical devices. Which process supports this requirement?
Purchasing the cheapest device regardless of safety
Waiting for an OSHA inspection to suggest devices
Relying solely on vendor marketing materials
Annual review and documentation of engineering controls with input from non-managerial employees
undefined
Which statement about DOT requirements for off-site transport of regulated medical waste is most accurate in an OSHA context?
Only state agencies regulate transport, not DOT
OSHA governs all off-site transport packaging and labeling
DOT governs packaging and transport; OSHA governs worker protection during handling and preparation
DOT rules do not apply to medical waste
undefined
How should suction canisters containing liquid blood be managed at point of use under OSHA?
Leave uncapped until pickup
Securely cap and place in a leakproof, labeled container for disposal or treatment per policy
Dilute with hot water and discard in trash
Pour into a hand sink and flush
undefined
Which container labeling practice is acceptable when red bags are used for regulated waste under OSHA?
Use green labels on red bags
Use either red color-coding or biohazard labels as required by policy; some settings require both
Label only if the bag is double-lined
Omit all labels because color-coding is enough in every situation
undefined
0

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Regulated Waste Categories -

    After completing the OSHA medical waste management quiz, you will be able to identify which types of materials qualify as regulated medical waste.

  2. Recall Container Requirements -

    You will understand the specific container rules for safe disposal and labeling of regulated waste to maintain compliance.

  3. Apply Decontamination Procedures -

    You'll learn proper methods to decontaminate tools and surfaces involved in handling biohazardous materials.

  4. Distinguish Controlled Substances -

    You'll recognize why controlled substances may not be discarded in regulated medical waste and how to handle them appropriately.

  5. Reinforce Best Practices for Compliance -

    You'll boost your compliance confidence by reinforcing OSHA standards through practical quiz scenarios.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Defining Regulated Medical Waste -

    Per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030, regulated waste includes liquid or semi-liquid blood, items caked with dried blood, and other potentially infectious materials (OPIMs). Understanding this baseline ensures you can identify what qualifies and what doesn't, like gauze soaked in blood vs. clean bandages.

  2. Container and Labeling Requirements -

    OSHA mandates that containers for regulated waste be leak-proof, puncture-resistant for sharps, and prominently display the biohazard symbol. Proper closures and handling reduce exposure risks - always double-check seals and color-coding (typically red or orange).

  3. Effective Decontamination Methods -

    Autoclaving at 121 °C for 15 minutes or soaking in a 1:10 bleach solution are OSHA-approved methods to render pathogens noninfectious. Keep records of cycle parameters and contact times to demonstrate compliance during audits.

  4. Controlled Substances Disposal -

    Controlled substances may not be discarded in regulated medical waste; DEA regulations require reverse distributors or incineration at DEA-accredited facilities. Always document chain-of-custody forms to avoid regulatory penalties.

  5. Mnemonics for Identifying Waste -

    Use "SAFER" (Sharps, Anatomical, Fluid-soaked, Experimental cultures, Raw biotech) to recall the five main categories of regulated waste. Memory tricks like this boost recall during quizzes and on-the-job scenarios.

Powered by: Quiz Maker