East Tennessee State University Hazardous Waste

Management

Significant Points that must be covered

Every Year

Regulatory Oversight

TOSHA Laboratory Standard Personal Protective Program Hazard Communication

EPA DOT NFPA

What is a Hazardous Waste?

Hazardous waste is a waste with properties that make it dangerous or potentially harmful to human health or the environment.

Hazardous wastes can be liquids, solids, contained gases, or sludges.

They can be the by-products of manufacturing processes or simply discarded commercial products, like cleaning fluids or pesticides.

In regulatory terms, a RCRA hazardous waste is a waste that appears on one of the four hazardous wastes lists (F-list, K-list, P-list, or U-list), or exhibits at least one of four characteristics—ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity. Hazardous waste is regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C.

What is a Hazardous Waste?

Ignitability Can create fires under certain conditions are spontaneously combustible, or have a flash point less than 60 °C (140 °F)

Corrosivity wastes which are acids or bases (pH less than

or equal to 2, or greater than or equal to 12.5) that are capable of corroding metal containers

What is a Hazardous Waste?

Reactivity Wastes which are unstable under "normal"

conditions They can cause explosions, toxic fumes,

gases, or vapors when heated, compressed, or mixed with water

Examples include lithium-sulfur batteries and explosives

What is a Hazardous Waste?

Toxicity Wastes which are harmful or fatal when

ingested or absorbed Toxicity is defined through a laboratory

procedure called the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP).

Hazardous Waste Determination

Departments, clinics, and/or studios are responsible for determining what hazardous waste they generate. Assistance can be obtained from: EH&S MSDS Other departments

Your Role

Make the initial determination that a material is a waste.

Determine if it is a hazardous waste or non-hazardous waste. Hazardous wastes must be managed properly

until picked up by Environmental Health and Safety.

Storage Requirements

Containers must be… Capped/closed at all times (except during

transfer) In good condition Compatible with contents Segregated by compatability

Labeling Requirements

All containers must be labeled with.. The words “Hazardous Waste” The name of the chemical – no abbreviations

& no chemical formulas The ETSU Hazardous Waste Tag, when used

properly, enables compliance with these requirements.

Labeling Requirements

Storage by Generators

Laboratories, clinics and studios can store no more than 50 gallons in their area.

When onsite quantities approach this amount, please notify EH&S, 9-6028 so that a pick-up can be scheduled. Requests may be submitted on-line at http://www.etsu.edu/healthsafety/Chemical_and_Lab_Safety/Hazardous_Waste_Pickup_Request_Form.htm .

Spill Response

Each department will be the first responder for spills in their area.

Determine if the spill can be safely cleaned-up with existing personnel and resources.

Contact EH&S, 9-6028 or Public Safety, 911 and notify both offices of the spill.

Make sure everyone knows where the spill response materials are and how use them.

Spill Response

The following are general guidelines: Immediately alert area occupants and supervisor, and

evacuate the area, if necessary If there is a fire or medical attention is needed, contact

Public Safety at 911 Attend to any people who may be contaminated.

Contaminated clothing must be removed immediately and the skin flushed with water for no less than fifteen minutes

If a volatile, flammable material is spilled, immediately warn everyone, control sources of ignition and ventilate the area

Don personal protective equipment appropriate to the hazards

Spill Response

If respiratory protection is needed and no trained personnel are available, call EH&S at 9-6028 or Public Safety at 911

Loose spill control materials should be distributed over the entire spill area, working from the outside, circling to the inside. This reduces the chance of splash or spread of the spilled chemical

POWERSORB (by 3M) products and their equivalent will handle hydrofluoric acid. Specialized hydrofluoric acid kits also are available. Many neutralizers for acids or bases have a color change indicator to show when neutralization is complete

When spilled materials have been absorbed, use brush and scoop to place materials in an appropriate container

Five gallon pails are the preferred containers for collecting the clean-up material

Spill Response

Complete an ETSU hazardous waste tag, identifying the material as Spill Debris involving XYZ Chemical, and affix onto the container

Decontaminate the surface where the spill occurred using a mild detergent and water, when appropriate

UNIVERSAL WASTE MANAGEMENT

Universal wastes are EPA regulated wastes, but are not hazardous wastes if properly recycled.

Universal waste consists of the following: Batteries (nickel cadmium and lead acid) Pesticides Mercury containing thermostats Thermometers Fluorescent lamps/bulb

UNIVERSAL WASTE MANAGEMENT

All universal waste streams are to be segregated and stored in a designated satellite storage area.

Each container must have a designated description label attached (“Used Fluorescent Bulbs” or “Waste Batteries”). These labels are provided by the EHS department.

Containers used to store universal waste must be structurally sound, adequate to prevent breakage and compatible with the contents.

UNIVERSAL WASTE MANAGEMENT

Best practice is to use package that the device or material was originally shipped in.

All universal waste containers must remain closed and be leak free.

Universal waste must not be stored in loose or open containers.

All universal waste containers must have the accumulation start date clearly marked.

Universal waste may be stored onsite for up to one year.

For collection, please submit a chemical waste pick-up request form on-line or call the EHS Department at extension 96028.