Cremation Safety and Compliance

Air quality control permits are…

-Not required by all states
-Can have varying compliance
-usually issued by state departments of environmental conservation

Burial transit permits are…

-Required to accompany decedent to place of final disposition
-Normally issued by local registrar of vital records
-Something located in crematory permanent files
-something that should accompany cremated remains when they are returned
-can also be called dispisition permits, permits for disposition and permits for disposition of human remains

New construction of a crematory may not begin until

a state issued permit for construction has bee issued. Constriction includes site preparation work.

Crematories that provide service directly to the public may need to be…

licensed as a funeral service establishment

What may need to be done for a crematory establishment to gain an operating permit?

demonstrate to the state environmental agency that their emissions are below state specified levels

A cremator operator license is required in how many states?

22

Of the states where a cremator operator license is required, what may also be required?

-One must hold certification to manage or operate a crematory
-Crematory operator licensing may be a condition for the cremtory to be licensed at all

How long should the retention of cremation records be?

10 years

Inspectors will be looking to make sure the following are in compliance:

-Crematory has complied with state recordkeeping requirements
-Crematory operator training certificates are displayed conspicuously
-Cremator unit has a conspicuously displayed operating permit
-The crematory is in compliance with local zoning requirements
-Crematory authority license issued by the proper authorities is displayed at the crematory

West Virginia crematories must maintain records of the following:

-Weight of each change
-Temperature of the secondary chamber on a continued basis for the crematory
-Hours of operation of the crematory; date and time of each start up and shut down
-Quarterly check to determine if visible emissions are being emitted

Inspection is required in how many states?

39

What are the guidelines for inspection?

-ask for credentials of any official inspector
-Ask for the reason for the inspection
-Be professional
-be pleasant and non combative
-dont complain that the inspection has come at a bad time
-make sure the inspector is accompanied at all times during the inspection by a crematory representative
-Ensure all permits, records, charts, etc are properly posted and readily available for inspection
-Designations of certification should be displayed conspicuously
-Answer any and all questions to the best of your ability
-Dont make up answers you dont know, instead get info ASAP
-dont offer to show information the inspector hasnt asked for
-dont discuss any other crematory
-take notes of the meeting
-thank the inspector for coming
-asking when you’ll receive the results of the inspection in writing

Why doesnt the EPA regulate crematories as solid waste combustion units?

They decided the human body should not be labeled or considered as solid waste

What don’t states restruct when it comes to emissions from crematories?

Mercury, nitrogen or sulfur dioxide. Some localities consider emissions during the zoning process, though

What are some ways to avoid hazards when receiving remains?

-have sufficient personnel or equipment availiable to assist in liftint remains
-Walking and work surfaces must be kept free of tripping and slipping hazards
-Keep sufficient personnel or equipment to assist in lifting remains available always

What are some hazards when preparing remains?

-Exposure to HCHO fumes from embalmed bodies
-Exposure to infectious biologic hazards and bloodborne pathogens from unembalmed bodies
-Avoid these with appropriate PPE at all times

What are some ways to avoid hazards when preparing equipment?

-Temporary wiring should never be used in place of permennt
-All switches and breakers must be up to code
-Fire detection alarms, gas monitoring systems and CO detectors must be operational and never bypassed
-Flammable and combustible materials must never be sotred near the crematory equipment

What are some ways to avoid hazards while operating the cremator?

-All repairs must be made by an individual qualified to perform the maintenance and repair
-Heating protection is required
-Owner/operator should exhaust engineering or administrative controls to limit exposure to noise before employee monitoring may begin

What are some ways to avoid hazards when removing remains?

-OSHA respiratory standard advises use of respiratory protection due to high volumes of dust exposure
-dust masks must be provided by employer
-Masks are recommended for remains processing and packaging

What are some ways to avoid hazards during equipment cleaning?

-Equipment being cleaned must be locked or disabled to prevent accidental injury
-Charge doors should have a safety device installed to prevent them from falling during maintenance
-Cremator interior is considered a confined space, sometimes requiring a special permit to enter (use manufacturer technicians to enter the cremator)

How can you avoid hazards while cleaning contaminated surfaces?

-Appropriate disinfectant should be sued to clean any contaminated surfaces
-Cleaning should happen after the completion of any procedures, immediately when surfaces are overtly contaminated and after any spill of blood or other potentially infectious materials
-Household bleach diluted with water with a 10:1 ratio made daily are considered appropriate disinfection