Introduction to Hazardous Waste Management

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Environmental, Health, Safety, and Risk Management

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2022

Course Outline

• Overview of hazardous materials regulations
• Hazardous waste at UAF
• What is hazardous waste?
• Wastes in YOUR lab
• Points to Remember
• Emergency response

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Overview Hazardous Materials Regulations

Hazardous materials are regulated by three primary government agencies:

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• Department of Transportation (DOT) *
• Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR)
• Regulations about how to properly package, identify, label hazardous materials and hazardous wastes for transportation
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) *
• Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (29 CFR)
• Regulates how to protect workers from the effects of hazardous materials in the workplace
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) *
• Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR)
• How to protect our environment
• The International Fire and Building Codes also regulate hazardous materials

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(This does NOT cover Biohazards or biowaste)

*more info about regulations at the end of this presentation

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Hazardous Waste Regulations

EPA regulates hazardous waste in Alaska by authority of the Resource Conservation Recovery Act.

RCRA controls include:

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• Identification of hazardous wastes
• Tracking wastes from “cradle to grave”
• Setting standards for generators of wastes, transporters of wastes, and Treatment, Storage & Disposal Facilities

EPA conducts unannounced Compliance Evaluation Inspections

• In the past, UAF facilities have been inspected annually
• Our goal (of course) is to comply with all regulations

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Primary RCRA Requirements

RCRA requires that you (as a user of Haz Mat):

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• Label containers with a description of their contents
• Store only the permissible volume of waste in your lab
• Ensure lids and caps are securely fastened at all times, (exceptions apply)
• Ensure all materials are properly segregated
• Use containers that are compatible with your waste
• Use intact containers (no cracks, holes, etc.)
• Ensure that spills and overfills do not occur
• Ensure that mismanagement does not occur

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RCRA Requirement for Training

The purpose of this training is to comply with requirements set forth by the EPA under 40 CFR 265.16 (Personnel Training)

The scope of the training is to ensure that UAF personnel who use chemicals:

1. Understand how to identify hazardous wastes

2. Understand how to package and label hazardous wastes

3. Understand how to have their hazardous materials disposed

4. Know how to respond effectively to emergencies

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The rest of this presentation covers these 4 items in depth

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Hazardous Waste at UAF

An overview of sources of hazardous waste at UAF, and its ultimate fate…

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Sources of Hazardous Waste at UAF

Sources of hazardous wastes (HW) at UAF include:

• Research and academic laboratories
• Shops and repair facilities
• Art and theater departments
• Facility maintenance and grounds
• Power Plant operations
• Experimental Farm operations
• Field work! May involve boats, batteries, fuel, samples, generators, etc.
• Athletics (lead, D-lead)

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UAF’s Waste Generator Status

Generators are classified by the volume of HW that they produce per month

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• The UAF main campus is regulated as a Large Quantity Generator (LQG)
• UAF’s extended sites are regulated as Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQG)
• Toolik Field Station,
• Palmer Research Farm,
• Kodiak Seafood & Marine Science Center,
• Seward Marine Center,
• Lena Point Fisheries Facility (Juneau)

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Which means we are the most highly regulated of the classes

of generators of haz waste

What is hazardous waste?

• The simplest definition for hazardous waste: when you have finished using a hazardous chemical, it becomes a hazardous waste
• Wastes may be solids, liquids, gases (rarely) or even the container that held hazardous materials
• Characteristic wastes are classified by their chemical properties—flammable, corrosive, etc
• what hazardous characteristics do they have?
• Listed wastes—generally toxins—are specifically mentioned by name
• These substances are on one of several lists
• Universal wastes are generally consumer products found in the workplace
• can be found universally (or in workplaces just about anywhere)

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Characteristic wastes

• Some wastes are hazardous due to their chemical properties. These are “Characteristic” wastes:
• Ignitable wastes can burn, are spontaneously combustible, or have a flash point of less than 60ºC
• Corrosive wastes are strong acids or strong bases; or can corrode metal containers
• Reactive wastes are unstable under “normal” lab conditions
• Toxic wastes are harmful or fatal when ingested or absorbed

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40 CFR 261 has the technical definitions of “solid wastes” and hazardous wastes

Listed wastes

Some hazardous wastes are “Listed” wastes. These are mentioned by name on a list in 40 CFR 261

• U-listed wastes are toxic wastes (next slide)
• P-listed wastes are acute toxic wastes (in 2 slides)
• Less common at UAF:
• F-listed wastes are from non-specific sources
• Ex: halogenated solvents used to degrease equipment
• K-listed wastes are from specific sources
• Ex: petroleum refining or pesticide manufacturing

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Examples of U-Listed

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U-listed chemicals are commonly found in UAF labs; full list at 40 CFR section 261.33

Examples of P-Listed Wastes

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P-listed chemicals are also fairly common in UAF labs; full list at 40 CFR section 261.33

Universal Wastes

• Universal wastes include the following materials that are commonly found in the workplace
• Batteries
• Fluorescent lamps
• Pesticides
• Thermometers (containing mercury)

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Universal Wastes con’t

Batteries

• Used Battery collection containers (white 5-gal buckets) are available at many locations on campus
• Contact your Lab Manager, CHO, Shop Supervisor or EHSRM for more information:
• Wet acid batteries (car batteries)
• Large Lithium batteries (computer batteries, etc)

Fluorescent lamps

• UAF recycles fluorescent and other lamps
• EHSRM can provide lamp collection boxes and labels to you
• Boxes must be labeled with the words, “Universal Waste Lamps”, “Waste Lamps”, or “Used Lamps” to identify the contents

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Universal Wastes con’t

Waste pesticides

• Fill out an online UAF Non-radioactive Hazardous Materials Transfer Request.

Mercury thermometers, manometers, etc

• If you’d like to get rid of mercury-containing equipment in good condition, call EHSRM.
• If you break a mercury thermometer:
• You MAY be able to use a mercury spill kit on small spills
• No kit or large spills? DO NOT try to clean it up yourself. Call UAF Hazmat at 907-474-5617 immediately for assistance
• Evacuate the area and keep traffic from walking through the spill site
• DO NOT throw the material in the trash or glass disposal box
• DO NOT dump it down the drain

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Other Common Wastes

• Aerosol cans
• Do not throw these in trash—may contain small amounts of hazardous contents or propellant.
• Fill out Haz Mat pickup request and EHSRM will dispose of as necessary
• Used/Waste oil
• If possible, keep used vacuum pump oil, motor oil separate from other wastes
• Label “Used Oil,” with start and end dates, and keep securely closed when not adding to the container
• A funnel is not a lid
• Use secondary containment
• Fill out Haz Mat pickup request for disposal

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So, is your waste hazardous �waste?

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• Does it have hazardous characteristics?
• Flammable/ignitable? YES!
• Corrosive? YES!
• Toxic? YES!
• Used ethanol or acetone from washing glassware? YES! (it’s flammable…)
• Used acid bath? YES! (it’s corrosive…)
• Is it on the U list or P list? Is it a Universal waste? YES!
• Is it soapy water that you used to wash your hands? NO
• Unless your hands were covered in a toxic material or P-List, then maybe
• Latex paint? Darkroom chemicals? Used antifreeze? YES!
• What about empty bottles? Continues on following pages
• Sharps? We have a whole training on Sharps. www.uaf.edu/safety
• Not sure? CALL EHSRM! Or talk to your department safety coordinator

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Waste in your lab

What do I do with my wastes and unwanted chemicals?

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BEFORE You Generate Wastes…

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• Complete your lab safety trainings, including this one
• Be sure you understand the hazardous properties of the substances you are using
• Strive for waste minimization
• Only make as much solution as you need
• Substitute less hazardous chemicals if possible
• Choose the correct waste container
• Container is compatible with the contents
• Container is empty OR contents are compatible with your waste
• Container has a securely fitting lid. A funnel is not a lid
• LABELS! (More on that soon…)
• The size is appropriate for your waste
• Liquid wastes have secondary containment
• Is this substance on the P list?
• Strict size limits of less than 1 L or 1 kg

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Satellite Accumulation Areas

• Each lab that generates waste is referred to as a “Satellite Accumulation Area” (SAA)
• This should be within the lab “under the control of the operator of the process generating the waste”
• Do not carry waste throughout a building to a centralized area
• You should inspect your SAA regularly (weekly)
• SAA has storage limits:
• Up to 55 gallons of non-acute hazardous waste (although this may violate Fire and Building codes….)
• Up to 1 quart (liquid) or 1 kg (solid) of an acute hazardous waste (P-listed waste)
• Use the online Hazardous Materials Pickup website to have your hazardous wastes removed

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EHSRM will remove the waste from your SAA, and transfer it to the UAF Hazmat Facility Central Accumulation Area for routine removal (a haz waste contractor arrives every 90 days to dispose of wastes from UAF)

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Hazardous Waste Containers

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• Waste Container should be compatible with waste contents
• Do not use glass containers for sodium hydroxide
• Some plastic containers will break down if exposed to solvents
• Waste Container should be empty OR contents compatible with waste
• Do not pour acid waste into a container that held bases
• Do not mix Flammables (alcohols) with Oxidizers (peroxides)
• Container has a securely fitting lid
• Lid must be closed at all times except when adding to container
• A funnel is NOT a lid
• LABELS! (next slide…)
• A log sheet may be necessary (in two slides…)
• The container size is appropriate for your waste (10 mL, 5 gal, etc)
• Liquids have secondary containment
• LABELS!!

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(Continue to next slide)

Haz Waste Containers con’t

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Labels!!!

• Use the words “Waste” or “Hazardous Waste”
• Name the generator, the lab course, the location, etc
• Indicate what hazards are present
• Flammable, acidic, corrosive, toxic, etc
• Words or GHS pictograms may be used
• Identify the contents
• List name(s) of compound(s)
• Include concentration (if applicable)
• Do not substitute chemical structure for name
• Limit abbreviations (Does MC mean methylene chloride? Methyl cellulose? Metacarpal bones? Micro?)
• A log sheet may be used if you have a long list of substances
• Write “See Log Sheet” on the waste container continue on next slide 🡪
• Start Date
• End Date (when you finish adding to the waste container)

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Required by 49 CFR 172 subpart E

Haz Waste Containers con’t

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Do you need a log sheet?

• Useful if you are adding many different things to a container
• Useful for academic lab courses
• Be sure the wastes you are adding are all compatible
• Compatible with each other and with the container
• On waste container, write “Log Sheet attached” or “See Log Sheet” (as well as “Waste,” Start date, hazards, etc)
• Record start/end date on Log Sheet
• Record contents, concentrations, amounts
• Log sheet should be located very near the waste container
• Ensure log sheet and waste container are easy to match up

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Examples of log sheets

What to do with Empty Containers

• Did that container hold non-hazardous materials?
• Ex glucose, sodium bicarbonate, pH 7 Buffer
• Cross off the Name of the compound, write “Empty” on the bottle, and dispose of the bottle in the trash OR save the empty bottle to use as a waste container
• IF you will use it as a waste container, triple-rinse with an appropriate solvent to be sure any trace remaining chemicals will not react with your waste
• Did that container hold hazardous materials?
• Ex Acetone, motor oil, chloroform, potassium hydroxide
• Cross off the Name of the compound, write “Empty” on the bottle
• Cross off any hazard/warning words or symbols
• Rinse the container with an appropriate solvent (water, alcohol, other) three times to triple-rinse, and collect the waste
• Dispose of the bottle in the trash OR save to use as a waste container
• Is that substance on the P-list? Ex sodium azide, cyanides
• The empty container MUST be collected as waste
• Cross off the Name of the compound, write “Empty” on the bottle
• Add “empty bottle of ___” to your Haz Mat Pickup request

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SAA Management

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• Inspect your Satellite Accumulation area regularly (weekly)
• Make sure all lids are securely closed
• Be sure label is still legible
• Some pens and markers can be dissolved by the waste you have
• Be sure labels have not faded
• Be sure liquids have secondary containment
• Check that bottles are not in danger of overflowing
• Check for leaks, spills, drips, etc on the bottle, on the surface, in secondary containment
• Confirm that the total quantity of waste is below limits allowed for Satellite Accumulation areas
• Fill out Haz Mat Pickup request as needed
• Note—it may sometimes take a few days for EHSRM to be able to pick up wastes. Call EHSRM if you have time-sensitive wastes

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To Make a Waste Removal Request

• Go to the EHSRM website, and follow the link to “Hazardous Materials Pickup”

http://www.uaf.edu/safety/

• If you have not been trained in the use of the online request, call 907-474-5617 to schedule a training session.

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Remember: There is no charge to your lab for chemical waste disposal… but there might be a fine if you aren’t in compliance…

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Remember:

• Use containers that are compatible with the materials to be collected
• Always label containers with a description of their contents
• Don’t store incompatible materials together
• Do not store wastes in the fume hood. Store in the appropriate storage cabinet (e.g., flammable, acid)
• Provide secondary containment for liquid wastes
• Always keep the container closed (lid firmly secured)
• A funnel in an open bottle is NOT a lid
• Check waste storage areas regularly (weekly).
• Inspect containers to make sure they aren’t getting brittle or starting to crack
• Check the P-list
• Never combine wastes
• If you don’t generate them together as part of a procedure, then do not mix them.
• May create hazardous reactions in the bottle (worst-case scenario), OR make disposal more expensive

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Emergency Response

Chemical Spills

• Small Spills = small quantity of chemical(s), you have the supplies and training to clean it, and you feel safe cleaning
• Put on PPE, clean spill carefully
• Collect any waste
• Call your safety coordinator or EHSRM for assistance
• Large Spills = large amount of hazardous material, you do not have supplies/training to clean it, you do not feel safe cleaning this
• Report all spills to UAF Dispatch (907-474-7721) or call 911 if there is an immediate threat of harm to life or property
• Dispatch will call EHSRM Hazmat Section or the FNSB Hazmat Team, if necessary, to request assistance with spill cleanup
• If you have not been trained and/or do not have the appropriate personnel protective equipment, please call for assistance!
• Never put yourself or others at risk to cleanup a spill!

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Emergency Response con’t.

Release of Hazardous Materials

• Call 911 in the event of an emergency or if anyone is in danger
• Move away from the site of the hazard to a safe location
• Follow the instructions of emergency personnel
• Alert others to stay clear of the area
• Notify emergency personnel if you have been exposed or have information regarding the release

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Fire

• Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station and Call 911
• Evacuate the building and go to the Evacuation Assembly Point or designated area of safe refuge
• Advise emergency personnel of anyone still inside the building
• Do not re-enter the building until authorized by emergency personnel

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For More Information…

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Talk to your department safety coordinator

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Environmental, Health, Safety, and Risk Management

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Visit our website at: www.uaf.edu/safety

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Or call us at 907-474-5413

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We need YOU to keep handle hazardous wastes correctly

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A funnel is NOT a lid!

Dilution is not the solution to pollution

When in doubt, don’t throw it out!

Further info—DOT Regs

Class 1: Explosives Class 2: Compressed Gases*

Class 3: Flammable Liquids* Class 4: Flammable Solids*

Class 5: Oxidizers* Class 6: Poisons and Toxics*

Class 7: Radioactive materials Class 8: Corrosives*

Class 9: Miscellaneous hazardous materials that don’t fit any other hazard class… (i.e. dry ice)*

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*these are commonly found on UAF campus

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• Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR)
• Regulations about how to properly package, identify, label hazardous materials and hazardous wastes for transportation
• DOT classifies hazardous materials into 9 primary hazard classes which are subdivided into multiple subsidiary risk groups.
• (Don’t memorize these!)

Further info—OSHA Regs

• Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (29 CFR)
• Regulates how to protect workers from the effects of hazardous materials in the workplace

OSHA regulations include the following standards regarding hazardous wastes:

• Hazard Communication Standard (Hazcom, Right-to-Know)
• Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Labs, including Chemical Hygiene Plans
• Respiratory Protection Standard
• Asbestos; Lead (Pb); Formaldehyde; Benzene; and Methylene Chloride Standards
• And establishes Permissible Exposure Levels (PELs) for hazardous chemicals

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Further info—EPA Regs

• Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR)
• how to protect our environment

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Congress placed into law several acts that the EPA uses to establish regulation to protect our environment:

• Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA)
• Clean Air Act
• Clean Water Act
• Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
• Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)

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