R9-9B-409. Additional Requirements for Cremation through Natural Organic Reduction

A. A licensee of a crematory that carries out cremation through natural organic reduction shall ensure that, in addition to other applicable requirements in the Subchapter: 1. The crematory complies with applicable state and local environmental standards, including obtaining a permit if required by a state or local environmental health agency; 2. The crematory has an area for the preparation of human remains for cremation that: a. Has sanitary flooring and drainage; b. Contains only the equipment, instruments, and supplies necessary for accomplishing the tasks for which the room is used; c. Is disinfected after each use to protect the health and safety of employees; and d. Is maintained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times; 3. The areas required according to R9-9B-406(C)(1)(c) and (d) are protected from dust, dirt, flies, and other contamination; 4. A pest control program is implemented and documented that requires: a. A pest control service that uses certified applicators as specified in 3 A.A.C. 8, Article 2; and b. Annual pest control service records to be retained for at least 12 months after the date of service; and 5. Biohazardous medical waste, as defined in A.A.C. R18- 13-1401, and other potentially hazardous waste, as described in A.A.C. R18-8-260, are removed and disposed of by a facility licensed by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality pursuant to 18 A.A.C. 8 and 13. B. A licensee of a crematory that carries out cremation through natural organic reduction shall ensure that, in addition to the requirements in R9-9B-403, R9-9B-404, and R9-9B-405: 1. Policies and procedures are developed, documented, and maintained, consistent with the requirements in A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 12, and the rules in this Subchapter, that cover: a. Ensuring that the human remains of a deceased individual are appropriate for cremation by natural organic reduction; b. How to prepare a retort; c. The stages of cremation by natural organic reduction; d. Establishing critical limits for specific parameters related to each stage of natural organic reduction, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations; e. How and when to monitor for efficient composting, including testing for moisture levels, pH, oxygen levels, and ammonia levels; f. Steps to correct specific concerns, including turning of the retort; and g. Documentation in the log of cremations in R9-9B- 403(G) by the cremationist monitoring each stage of cremation by natural organic reduction, including the name and signature of the monitoring cremationist; 2. Employees receive training on the policies and procedures in subsection (B)(1); and 3. The documentation required in subsection (D)(3), including the date of monitoring and the name of the monitoring individual, is maintained at the crematory for at least five years after the last date included on the documentation. C. A responsible cremationist of a crematory that carries out cremation through natural organic reduction shall ensure that the human remains of a deceased individual are not accepted for cremation by natural organic reduction without documentation, from the funeral establishment from which the human remains of the deceased individual were received by the crematory, that indicates that the human remains are suitable for cremation by natural organic reduction. D. A responsible cremationist of a crematory that carries out cremation through natural organic reduction shall ensure that, in addition to the operational requirements in R9-9B-405: 1. The retort is prepared according to policies and procedures; 2. To enable the human remains of a deceased individual to be cremated by natural organic reduction, the human remains accepted by the crematory are: a. Removed from the casket or other container in which the human remains were received by the crematory: i. In the area required in subsection (A)(2), and ii. Consistent with R9-9B-405(F)(1) and (2); b. Placed into the retort; and c. Prepared for cremation; and 3. During cremation of the human remains of a deceased individual: a. The air supply, moisture content, temperature, and, if applicable, pressure within the retort are controlled, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, to ensure: i. The efficient cremation of the human remains, and ii. The health and safety of individuals in the vicinity of the retort; b. The parameters in subsection (D)(3)(a) and the time to complete each stage of the cremation are monitored and documented according to policies and procedures; and c. The cremationist monitoring each stage of cremation by natural organic reduction documents the log of cremation according to R9-9B-403(G)(4)(g)(ii) and subsection (B)(1)(g).