1. Hazardous Waste Management
Christine Denison
April, 8, 2013
AET/545

2. Introduction: This web-based tutorial has been created to teach employees
the basics of hazardous waste management including; characteristics of
hazardous waste; different categories of hazardous waste, hazardous waste
handling, hazardous waste accumulation, the use of hazardous waste labels,
hazardous waste container management, how to recognize signs of leaks and
spills, and how to respond to non-emergency spills.
Objective s: At the end of this tutorial, employees will be able to:
• identify the characteristics of different categories of hazardous waste
with 70% accuracy.
• recognize general content of hazardous waste labels with 70%
accuracy.
• restate container Best Management Practices with 70% accuracy.
• recall procedures for detecting leaks, spills, or threatened spills with
70% accuracy.
• list steps to respond to a non-emergency spill with 70% accuracy.

3. Introduction to Hazardous Waste
Hazardous Waste Video

4. What is a Hazardous Waste?
Definition of Hazardous Waste: A hazardous waste is a solid
waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health
or the environment.

5. Characteristics of Hazardous Waste
There are four basic characteristics of hazardous waste.
1) Ignitability
2) Reactivity
3) Corrosivity
4) Toxicity

6. Accumulation of Hazardous Waste
Definition of Accumulation Start Date: the date at which the first drop or
piece of hazardous waste was placed in the hazardous waste storage
container. There are many types of hazardous waste areas and each has its
own accumulation time limits.
Main Accumulation Area: This area is where all hazardous waste is kept
until it is shipped off-site. Hazardous waste can remain in this area up to 90
days from the accumulation start date before it must be shipped off-site by a
registered hazardous waste hauler.

7. Accumulation of Hazardous Waste (Cont.)
Satellite Accumulation Area: A generator may accumulate as much as 55
gallons of hazardous waste or one quart of acutely hazardous waste in
containers at or near any point of generation where wastes initially
accumulate, which is under the control of the operator of the process
generating the waste . This area is known as a “Satellite Accumulation Area.”
Waste can remain in this area until the 55 gallon maximum is reached, or
until 1 year after the accumulation start date, whichever occurs first. If the
maximum is reached prior to 1 year, the accumulation date must be changed
to the date it reached maximum and the container moved to the main
accumulation area. It can remain there until 90 days from the new date of
accumulation.

8. Accumulation of Hazardous Waste (Cont.)
Universal Waste Area: Universal waste comes primarily from consumer
products containing mercury, lead, cadmium and other substances that are
hazardous to human health and the environment. These items cannot be
discarded in municipal trash. If Universal wastes are not recycled, that must
be considered hazardous waste. Examples of universal waste are:
• Batteries
• Fluorescent tubes, lamps or bulbs
• Mercury-containing equipment
• Electronic devices
• Aerosol cans

9. Accumulation of Hazardous Waste (Cont.)
Empty Container Area: An area storing containers that once held a
hazardous material and are emptied as much as reasonably possible.
Containers must be labeled with the date the container was emptied. The
container may remain on-site for up to one year from date container was
emptied. Empty containers must be managed as follows:
• By reclaiming the container’s scrap value onsite
• By sending the container to a person who reclaims the container’s
scrap value
• By reconditioning or remanufacturing the container onsite; or
• By shipping the container to a person who reconditions or
remanufactures the container.

10. Hazardous Waste Labeling
Labeling Video

11. Hazardous Waste Labeling
Use of hazardous waste labels: A generator who is accumulating hazardous
waste on-site in containers must ensure the containers are properly marked
using hazardous waste labels.
Label identification: There are three typical hazardous waste labels that may
be used, Hazardous Waste, Universal Waste, and Empty Containers.

12. Hazardous Waste Labeling (Cont.)
General Content of Labels: A generator must include at least the following
information on a Hazardous Waste Label:
• Generator information; name, address, EPA identification, manifest
document number
• Accumulation start date
• Contents or composition
• Physical state (i.e. solid or liquid)
• Hazardous properties (i.e. flammable, toxic, corrosive, reactive, etc.)
• General description

13. Hazardous Waste Container Management
Characterization: Once waste is generated, it should be characterized, before
placing into a container. Characterization is usually handled by the
Hazardous Waste Manager. Waste can be characterized by using Material
Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), sampling and testing, or based on process
knowledge. Characterization must be done to ensure container is compatible
with waste.
Best Management Practices: Containers must be maintained as follows:
• Keep containers in good condition, if damaged or rusted remove
contents into a new container
• Make sure the waste is compatible with the container
• Keep containers closed when not adding or removing waste
• Handle containers to prevent leaks or spills
• Mark container with appropriate hazardous waste labels

14. Detecting Leaks, Spills, or Threatened Spills
Large containers: The best method for detecting leaks, spills, or threatened
spills is to install leak detection devices in large tanks and containers that hold
hazardous waste. These devices will indicate and sometimes sound an alarm
when the container has a leak or is overflowing. If device is not available then
visual inspections are required.
Small containers: The best method for detecting leaks, spills, or threatened
spills in small containers is to conduct routine inspections of the container
storage areas.
Inspection procedures: Inspections should be conducted in hazardous waste
storage areas on a daily basis. Maintain inspection logs with inspectors’ name
and any discrepancies noticed during the inspection.

15. Responding to Non-Emergency
Leaks or Spills
Spill Response Video

16. Responding to Non-Emergency Leaks or Spills
Steps to respond to non-emergency leaks or spills:
1. Identify the material that is leaked or spilled
2. Look up material on MSDS
3. Identify personal protective equipment that must be worn to clean the
spill.
4. Review Emergency Response Plan for clean-up procedures, or review
clean-up procedures in MSDS
5. Clean-up spill and ensure that all equipment used is decontaminated or
disposed of as a hazardous waste
6. Remove material that is clean-up and dispose as a hazardous waste
7. Only clean-up a spill if you have been properly trained to do so,
otherwise contact a supervisor.
Whom to notify of a non-emergency leak or spill: A supervisor or the
Environmental Health and Safety Office must be notified of any leak or spill
no matter how small. The supervising staff will contact local, State, or Federal
agency as required.

17. References
California Code of Regulations. Title 22, section 66260.10
Code of Federal Regulations. Title 40 Part 273
Code of Federal Regulations. Title 40 Part 262, "RCRA Hazardous Waste Generator
Standards“
Department of Toxic Substance Control, Universal Waste. Retrieved from
http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/universalwaste/