Regulated Waste OSHA

Regulated Waste
1910.1030(b)
Definitions
Regulated Waste means liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious materials; contaminated items that would release blood or other potentially infectious materials in a liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed; items that are caked with dried blood or other potentially infectious materials and are capable of releasing these materials during handling; contaminated sharps; and pathological wastes containing blood or other potentially infectious materials.

"...CDC considers it important to use the CDC definition of infectious waste, which has been adopted by OSHA, in this proposed rule, in preference to the definition of medical waste adopted by EPA and used in the Medical Waste Tracking Act. The CDC definition is based on the epidemiology of disease transmission, whereas other definitions are much broader and include articles that should not require special handling." Summary p.26

"...[I]n terms of blood, we really feel that the only type of blood that you need to be concerned about, in terms of transmission of disease, is bulk blood, or bulk fluids that may contain blood which means essentially liquids....In terms of items that are contaminated with blood that may be dry or may be wet, but are contained in a material such as gauze or a bandage, the risk of transmission of a pathogen to a susceptible host is extremely unlikely, and therefore, that type of waste can be handled like any other waste that is collected in the community, that may be contaminated in the same fashion. (Tr. 9/14/89, p92)
"Consequently, this physical characteristic (i.e., the ability to pour, flow, drip, etc.) has been adopted as one of the attributes of waste being regulated under this standard." Summary p.27

For Tattoo and Piercing
it is not reasonable to anticipate liquid blood or OPIM but "Contaminated Sharps" are always generated.

It is not at all expected or experience in tattoo or piercing to saturate anything with blood to such a degree that it would drip or blood could be squeezed out.

Therefore, using "Red Bags" to dispose of contaminated items such as gloves, wipes and bandages would not be indicated as necessary by OSHA Standards by incorrectly identifying items as requiring special treatment when there is no reasonable need.
Though "Red Bags" have no place in Tattoo or Piercing. "Sharps Containers" are required to comply with OSHA regulations for the disposal of used sharps..