According to OSHA 3114 dumping hazardous waste poses a
significant threat to our environment. Hazardous waste is one of the most
serious health and safety problems that have continued to endanger humans,
animal life and environmental quality. According to the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) hazardous waste is defined as “waste that is dangerous
or potentially harmful to our health or the environment.” Hazardous waste can
include solids, liquids and gases.
When hazardous waste is generated in the lab it is required
to have procedures in place. Some of the mandatory procedures are identifying
the waste stream, selecting a proper container for waste collection that is appropriate
for the waste stream that is being disposed of.
Furthermore, individuals working in the lab are required to be trained
and know that they are not supposed to mix hazardous waste streams or hazardous
and non-hazardous wastes together. The proper way in which one is supposed to transfer
the waste into the chosen container is through a funnel, this will help reduce
possible spills. After transferring the waste into the container an individual working
in the lab must appropriately label the container placing a hazardous waste
sticker on, or in Dr. Kushnick’s case drawing a skull and crossbones. The next
step is to complete paperwork that includes a detailed description of the
contents within the container, the building and room number. Upon completing
this the paperwork, individuals working in the lab will select a location for
the hazardous waste container, it needs to be in a location where it is easily
accessible and will not be knocked over. When disposing of chemicals it is
important to note that it is unable to be poured down the drain. The only cases
in which this is acceptable is if it is listed within the procedure or process
of chemical manipulation. Secondly, if the chemical is water soluble it is
acceptable to dispose of it down the drain, and thirdly if the chemical is
compatible with the sanitary sewer constituents and the contents of the drain
trap. The last acceptable way in which individuals can pour chemicals down the
drain is if it is legal to do so, if the chemical has been stored as waste for
some time it is unacceptable to dispose of it this way.
For disposing of waste to occur individuals working in the
lab are required to complete a chemical waste disposal form. After completing
this form you contact the hazardous materials manager. The hazardous materials
manager will collect the hazardous waste and store it in an accumulation space
until it can be removed from the campus. Once someone is available the waste
container is able to be removed by hazardous waste contractors in this case it is
removed by an EHS representative. The EHS representative is also responsible to
ensure regulatory compliance once the container holding the waste is removed
from the lab. Labs dispose of chemicals when they are no longer wanted or needed,
if the labels on the chemical bottle is expired, and if the chemical has
changed either color, or has separated it can no longer be used for its initial
purpose so it should be disposed of.
https://www.ohio.edu/riskandsafety/ehs/environmental/hazmat/chemical.htm
https://www.ohio.edu/.../BMSChemicalHygienePlan.pdf
https://www.epa.gov/hw
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