Hazardous waste and other chemicals can be lethal. Many workplaces run into them on a daily basis and need to deal with them. If mishandled, hazardous waste can lead to health issues and even death.
This is why every business must think about hazardous waste disposal. They need to train their staff and provide them with proper safety equipment. You should only place dangerous waste in the proper containers.
Having a safe and sealed area to store this waste away from the rest of the facility is a requirement. There should always be a full operating procedure and a backup emergency plan. The EPA federally mandates safe and proper disposal, so it’s not something you can ignore.
You also have a moral obligation to keep staff and the community safe. Read on for five essential tips for dealing with hazardous waste.
1. Proper Training and PPE
This is the most important tip by far. You have to train your employees and give them proper personal protective equipment. The training process should involve identifying the potential contaminants they’ll be working with.
Teaching and practicing a proper hazardous waste disposal protocol is also crucial. Your staff should know what kinds of risks they could face in the workplace, and how to respond based on a plan. Federal training is usually mandated, but it’s not a bad idea to hire a training company.
First aid training for worst-case scenarios is also a good idea. When it comes to equipment, make sure everyone’s gear fits them. If any masks, hazmat suits, or other equipment becomes damaged, replace or address the issue right away.
Regular inspections should be mandatory for gear and standard operating procedures.
2. Get the Right Containers
When it comes to chemical waste disposal, you need to use the right containers. Certain types of waste can eat through or corrode plastics, for example. You need to ensure that you store all waste in safe containers that won’t leak or cause contamination.
These containers should be sealable, weatherproof, and resistant to corrosion. They should be strong enough to handle what you plan to put in them. Ensure you follow a proper standard operating procedure when dealing with these containers.
Your employees should wear the necessary gear when storing, opening, or emptying the containers. These storage containers should also have the appropriate hazardous waste labels. Never leave hazardous material out in the open for any period of time.
Every year, mismanaged waste kills a million people. You have an ethical obligation to store and dispose of your waste the right way.
3. Designate Areas
You need a designated area where you’ll store any chemical waste or hazardous materials. This can be a designated building or room or some otherwise sheltered space. The area should protect the storage containers and stop unauthorized individuals from coming in.
The goal of having a designated area for hazardous waste is to avoid contamination. You don’t want to contaminate areas outside of the designated spaces if something happens. A container could get turned over, and leak, or someone could make a mistake of some kind.
It’s recommended that the space be sealable to prevent secondary contamination. You should also do regular inspections of the area and all containers or waste inside. Address any issues right away, and lock the storage area down if needs be.
Under no circumstances should anyone eat or drink anything in these areas. The potential for contamination and health risks is always present. Enforcing PPE use during inspections is also a good practice to mitigate health risks.
4. Comply With Legal Regulations
Handling hazardous waste is dangerous. Because of this, there are tons of legal regulations you need to comply with. It might not sound like a tip, but researching and being aware of them will save you in the long run.
The first things to worry about are the health and safety of your employees and the wider community. These regulations are in place for a reason, after all. The second thing to consider is legal complications that could arise.
Different jurisdictions have specific requirements. That said, a lot of the general regulations you will face are all mandated. Make sure you know what the EPA requires of you and the type of waste you need to dispose of.
5. Back-Up Plan
What can go wrong will go wrong, and this also applies to hazardous waste disposal. It is always in your best interest to have a full emergency backup plan.
It is impossible to overstress of how important this is. A matter of moments can make the difference between life and death during a spill or leak. Everyone should know what steps to take and in what order.
The plan should include an evacuation plan, as well as a containment plan. Staff responsible for sealing the area or mitigating damage should receive full training. They should use proper PPE and safety gear for the situation.
If the situation is beyond anyone’s ability to handle it, you should call professional emergency services. Before work can resume or untrained individuals can enter the facility, you need an “all clear.” It is a federal requirement to have a full contingency plan, so make sure to create a robust one.
You can always consider hiring a hazardous waste clean up company to help after. That said, it’s still in your best interest to have proper in-house training.
Tips For Safe Hazardous Waste Disposal
Hazardous waste isn’t something you can play around with. Many businesses produce it and have obligations to handle and dispose of it. Doing this right requires proper planning, training, and vigilance.
There are legal requirements as well as moral expectations to keep everyone safe. Every business, no matter how small, needs to take hazardous waste disposal seriously. For more information on this and other similar topics, take a look at our site.
