Hazardous Waste Storage

1. Hazardous Waste Storage Satellite Accumulation

2. Chemical Labels • Maintain labels on incoming containers. • Replace torn or defaced labels. • Label secondary containers immediately. • Label Content: • Full Name of Hazardous Chemical. (No abbreviations or chemical formulas) • Hazard Warning. • Name of Responsible Party. • Date of Preparation.

3. Chemical Storage • Minimize storage. • Discard chemicals that are expired, not used in past 3 years, or not identified for future procedures. • Store chemicals in their appropriate compatible groups. • Be aware of materials with a shelf life. • Separate hazard groups/incompatible chemicals with barriers. • Flammables cabinets may hold 10 Gal. of flammable chemicals or less. • Must Be secured by closed cabinets or ¾ “lip” on shelves. • Always store corrosives below eye level. • Inspect containers and labels weekly.

4. Housekeeping • Keep chemical use areas (Countertops) free from contamination. • Close/cap ALL containers not in use. • Clean Drips and Spillage Off of Container Exterior • Maintain the Minimum Amount of Materials on the Work Surface • Maintain clear working aisles. • Maintain clear access to fire extinguishers, • safety showers and eyewashes. • Label doors that are blocked or are not exits. • Keep storage off of the floor and out of the hallways.

5. Compressed Gas Cylinders • Installed and leak tested by trained personnel. • Secured in an upright position with 2 chains. • Capped when not In use. • Use compatible regulator and auxiliary equipment. • Fully labeled with content and status.

6. Laboratory Access • No children under 12 allowed in labs. • Follow Visitor’s Policy (www.ecu.edu/prospective health) and accompany visitors. • Lock lab doors when unoccupied. • Lab staff that are or might be pregnant should consult their personal physician and provide them with a copy of their lab’s chemical inventory and lab safety plans. • Administrative, clerical and other non-lab personnel are not allowed to maintain a workstation in labs.

7. Personal Safety • Do not remove lab equipment or chemical containers. • No horseplay. • Don’t work alone without supervisor’s permission and a safety plan. • Know about all protective and safety equipment. • Unattended operations require • Permission. • Fail-safe Plan. • Emergency Instructions. • Lights On.

8. Eyewash and Safety Showers • Must meet ANSI requirements. • 15 minutes of clear, running water should be used. • Operate eyewash weekly to prevent molding and bacteria. • If used seek medical attention for further treatment. • Maintain clear access to showers.

9. In The Event Of A Spill If the spill represents an increased risk of exposure to you or others, GET HELP! Leave the area, close all doors and call for assistance if any of the following occur: • A fire or potential for a fire - dial 911. • Serious injury or a hazardous chemical exposure - dial 911. • The spill is beyond your ability to control - call EH&S (328-6166). • The spill has left the immediate area or threatens others areas – call EH&S (328-6166) or 911. • Unknown materials are involved – call EH&S (328-6166).

10. When Reporting A Spill… Call Environmental Health & Safety at 328-6166. • State your NAME. • Give your EXACT LOCATION (Building and room #). • Explain the CHEMICAL SPILLED (type,concentration, and quantity). • Describe any SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES that may be involved. • Leave a PHONE NUMBER or SPECIFIC LOCATION where you can be reached. Stay safely nearby to meet EH&S/emergency personnel.

11. Fire Extinguishers • Only trained individuals may use a fire extinguisher. • PASS Method: Pull the pin, aim at the bass of the fire, squeeze the trigger, sweep side to side. • All uses must be reported to Facilities Services. • Inspected monthly by Facilities Services.

12. Chemical Purchase • Choose the least hazardous available. • Purchase the smallest quantity possible. • Check EH&S web page for surplus chemicals you can access for free in the RECY-CHEM program.

13. RECY-CHEM • A program which receives and distributes FREEchemicals to investigators. • Accepted Chemicals: Chemicals that have not been opened or used may be added to the RECY-CHEM program. • EH&S will determine chemical viability, add to the list and announce availability on the website. • Check the EH&S website for availability list or for a pickup of your unused/unopen chemicals. • Call EH&S for delivery of FREEchemicals.

14. The Rulers Of The Hazardous Waste Management World • EPA (Environmental Protection Agency): Identification, storage, & disposal of hazardous waste under RCRA (Resource Conservation & Recovery Act). • DOT (Department of Transportation): Identification, packaging, and transportation of hazardous material.

15. Chemical Waste Management • “Hazardous Material” is any liquid, solid, or gas having properties requiring special handling due to hazardous chemical characteristics. • “Hazardous waste” is a used or discarded hazardous material. “Discarded” includes abandoned, recycled, or inherently waste-like materials.

16. You Might Have A Hazardous Waste If …. • The compound or solution is: - Ignitable. - Corrosive. - Reactive. - Toxic. • The Waste Chemical is one of over 400 listed by the EPA as a Hazardous Waste • See EH&S Website for a list of these chemicals.

17. What Is An Ignitable Waste? • It is a liquid and is capable of burning or causing a fire. • This material will have a flash point below 140o F. • Examples include acetone, gasoline, industrial alcohols.

18. What Is A Corrosive Waste? • The material is a liquid or solid and is capable of eroding materials and human tissue. • These materials have a pH of 2 or lessor 12.5 or greater • Examples: Alkaline cleaners, some chlorides, fluorides, and acids & bases.

19. What Is A Reactive Waste? • Waste that is: • Capable of reacting dangerously with air and water. • When mixed with water could cause an explosion. • Could release poisonous fumes, • Shock sensitive. • Examples include peroxides, isocynates, cyanides, sulfides, and chlorine.

20. What Is A Toxic Waste? • Material is capable of poisoning humans. • Contains arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, or silver. • Contains a pesticide or other EPA toxin. • Wastes are determined to be “Toxic” if they fail the TCLP Test.

21. P-Listed Wastes • Are listed wastes that are off-specification, unused, materials and are acutely hazardous. • Ex: arsenic compounds, cyanide compounds, and strychnine • P-codes are used for listing. They only apply to pure unused chemicals and to unused products where said chemical is the sole active ingredient. • Regulations on storage and disposal are very strict. • Identifiable by P-Listing and the “List-of-Lists”.

22. P-List Waste/Chemical Waste Storage • Regulated under 40 CFR 262.34(c). • Labs can collect hazardous waste until they reach collection limits or for a maximum of up to 1 year. • Collection Limits are 55 gallons of hazardous waste and/or 1 quart of P-listed acute hazardous wastes at ANY time. • Can only exceed these limits for 3 calendar days. • Contact EH&S for pickup when containers become 75% full. • Containers must be labeled as hazardous waste or otherwise describing the content of the waste. • List all chemicals on hazardous waste tag as well as their percentages/concentration. • Containers must be dated with an accumulation start date (the date chemicals were first placed in the container). • Transfer of containers between Satellite Accumulation Areas is not allowed. • Large Quantity Generator status is obtained if over 1 kg of P-listed waste per month is produced and/or 1000 kg of chemical hazardous waste is produced per month.

23. Waste Mixtures • Keep non-soluble chemicals separate. • Keep chlorinated solvents separate from non. • Precipitate dissolved solids and filter what remains. • Minimize water in solvents. • Teach waste minimization as part of lab instruction. • Remember you pay for chemicals twice. Once when you buy it, and again when your disposing of excess. • 14 gallon lab pack = $225 or $16 per gallon • 55 gallon bulk = $150 or $2.74 per gallon THE LESSON HERE IS TO MINIMIZE PURCHASES!

25. You May Be A Satellite Accumulation Site… • If you generate any hazardous waste in your lab or worksite, you are a “Satellite Accumulation Area” and required by the EPA to adhere to certain regulations. • Noncompliance with any hazardous waste regulation may result in substantial fines and penalties for the University or individual investigators.

26. Satellite Accumulation • Before you start, label the secondary container and make sure the container is the proper container to use for storing the waste. • Once a chemical is designated a “waste” or when the first drop of waste has been put into the container, a “hazardous waste” tag must be completed , dated, and placed on that container. • Wastes can only be accumulated for up to one year. • EH&S must be notified when containers are ¾ full and prior to the one year accumulation date. • You can accumulate a TOTAL of 55 gallons of hazardous waste at an accumulation point.

27. The Four “L’s” of Satellite Accumulation • Lids: Keep containers tightly closed. Open containers only when adding waste. • Labels: Tag containers before using for waste collection. • Leaks: Inspect waste containers weekly for leaks. Residue on outside of a container is considered a discharge by EPA. Keep containers clean. • Location: Collect waste at or near point of accumulation in a secondary container. Segregate by compatibility.

28. EPA’s Five Most Common Satellite Accumulation Violations in Universities • Unlabeled Containers. • Open Containers. • No “Accumulation Start” date. • No Secondary Containment. • No Weekly Inspections.

29. Hazardous Waste Labeling • All Hazardous Waste containers must be properly labeled with EH&S tags. • If the chemical is in its original container and the label is not damaged, then the container does not need a hazardous waste tag. • DO NOT use chemical formulas or abbreviations. • Full name ONLY!! • Tag must show all the chemical constituents by percent. • Attach the tag to the container with string, wire or rubber band. • Inspect label integrity and replace if damaged or stained.

30. Environmental Health & Safety Hazardous Waste Tag. Attach to waste with a rubber band, wire, or string.

31. Hazardous Waste Funnel Use • Safety funnels can be used if they meet the following conditions: • The funnel is secured to the container. • The funnel has a gasket and locking devices on the lid. • It is kept closed when not in use. • The funnel has a one way valve to prevent spills and emissions.

32. Unknown Chemicals/Waste • It is the department’s responsibility for covering the costs of dealing with unknowns. • Identification, removal, safe disposal. • Any chemical that does not have a label and cannot be identified Is referred to as unknown • Place on the Pick-Up Request Form. • Include amount and any identifying characteristics. • ECU’s Chemical Contractor will have to retrieve the chemical and an identification analysis will be conducted.

33. Hazardous Waste Disposal • Ensure that wastes are properly packaged and labeled. • Containers with residues, cracked lids, damaged containers, unknowns, or leaking containers will not be collected, and will be left in the lab. • Complete the waste pick-up request form from EH&S web page and email to safety@ecu.edu. • Provide your name, phone #, location, identity, and amounts of waste. • Waste pick-ups are conducted every Thursday.

34. Waste Minimization • Find a non-hazardous alternative to the hazardous material you are obtaining. • Practice Inventory Control: Use it all before looking for more. • Recycle/Recover all materials possible. • Reduce waste and unnecessary purchases. • Teach waste minimization as part of lab instruction.

35. Drain Disposal - Not An Option

36. Drain Disposal • Must have EH&S approval before drain disposal occurs. • Must comply with EH&S and GUC requirements. • Any approved disposal must be logged on the Drain Log. • pH has to be between 6 and 9.

37. Chemical Inventory • To comply with the EPA's Right-to-Know regulations and the OSHA Laboratory Standard, ECU must compile an annual inventory identifying the exact location and quantity of all hazardous chemicals on campus. This information also helps EH&S and Greenville Fire and Rescue respond appropriately during emergencies. • Items required to be inventoried include laboratory chemicals, paints, solvents, pesticides, petroleum products (fuels), compressed gases, cleaning products and any other material for which a Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) exists. • Each department is responsible for completing their inventory and turning it in to EH&S through safety@ecu.edu.

38. Chemical Inventory Control Form

39. Contaminated Surplus Property • When removing surplus property the equipment owner must first contact EH&S (chemical) or Prospective Health (biological or radiological) for authorization and guidance. • Equipment owners must certify that the equipment does not contain or is not contaminated with hazardous materials. • If the property contains or has contained any hazardous material then it must be decontaminated. If beyond decontamination then the equipment must be offered for proper disposal. • The “Surplus Property Hazard Assessment” tag must be completed by the equipment owner and attached to the property. 

40. Cont. • EH&S and/or Prospective Health must inspect equipment requiring decontamination and authorize the move before the department submits a work order to Moving Services.  EH&S and/or Prospective Health staff must check the appropriate authorization box on the “Surplus Property Hazard Assessment” tag and initial to confirm inspection/authorization. • The equipment owner must schedule move of the equipment. • Moving personnel will not accept equipment for transport unless “Surplus Property Hazard Assessment” tag is attached and there is no visible contamination.

41. Surplus Tag

42. Empty Container Rules • To dispose of “empty” containers in the trash, they must meet the following criteria:  • Contain no radioactive materials or biological wastes. • Was not a container for acutely toxic chemicals. • Has less than or equal to 3% by weight of its total capacity. • All content in the container has been collected, recovered or used.  No content should be able to immediately spill out if held upside down. • Non acutely toxic chemical containers should be triple rinsed.  • Labels on the containers for disposal should be removed or defaced and the container should be labeled “EMPTY”.  • Containers for disposal are in the appropriate refuse area with lids removed.

43. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION • Contact Environmental Health & Safety at 328-6166 or safety@ecu.edu. • www.ecu.edu/oehs- • Hazardous Waste for instructions on waste disposal. (Link) • Laboratory safety resources. (Link) • Sample Lab Safety Plans. • For Radiation/Biological Safety Information - Contact the Office of Prospective Health at 744-2070.