9.0 HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Transcription

1 9.0 HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN 9.1 INTRODUCTION Hazardous materials are regulated under the BC Environmental Management Act and include Hazardous Waste as defined by the Hazardous Waste Regulation. Hazardous materials are prohibited from being disposed through routine solid waste management programs at construction sites. Examples of hazardous materials include: air conditioning with ozone depleting substances asbestos asphalt degreaser concrete products contaminated soils drywall fluorescent light ballasts containing PCBs fluorescent light tubes that contain mercury vapour Freon from cooling equipment gasoline lead sound barriers lead-based paints mercury-containing switches oils paints pesticides PCBs sealers smoke detectors solvents underground storage tanks concrete laden wash water Hazardous materials and wastes that may be expected at RAVP construction sites include contaminated soils, gasoline, oils, solvents, sealers and concrete products. Management strategies for such products are provided in this section and in the Solid Waste Management Plan (Section 10.0). Other hazardous wastes such as PCBs, paints, fluorescent lights and lead products must be dealt with on a site specific and product specific basis, in consultation with the Contaminated Sites Consultant and the Environmental Monitor(s). 9.2 OTHER RELEVANT PLANS Hazardous materials are a public health and worker health issue as well as an environmental issue. Public health and worker safety aspects, including WHMIS labelling and overall compliance with the Workers Compensation Act: Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR, 1997), are addressed in other project plans and documentation. Close liaison will occur between safety personnel and environmental personnel to assure smooth coordination between health/safety requirements and environmental requirements. Generally, there is reasonable confluence between OHS and Revision PE Page 1 of 8 I

2 environmental requirements. In the event of conflict, OHS requirements would generally supersede environmental requirements. Relevant Component Plans include: Section 4: Environmental Education and Awareness Plan (e.g. the program includes materials on storage, handling, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials); Section 7: Surface Water Quality and Sediment Control Plan (e.g. leaks or spills of hazardous materials may contaminate surface waters); Section 8: Contaminated Sites and Soil Management Plan (e.g. leaks or spills of hazardous materials can cause contaminated soils or surface or ground water; and contaminate soils may themselves be hazardous); Section 10: Solid Waste Management Plan (e.g. solid waste may be hazardous); Section 11: Spill Prevention and Emergency Response Plan (e.g. spills or leaks of hazardous materials); Section 13: Mitigation / Compensation Plan (e.g. prohibitions regarding storage or handling of hazardous materials in environmentally sensitive areas); and Section 14: Landscape Design and Restoration Plan (e.g. substances used for landscaping or pest control are hazardous). 9.3 REGULATORY AND INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS Contractors are required to minimize the production of hazardous wastes in construction areas by reducing the use of hazardous materials onsite and by recycling hazardous materials where feasible (RTP, 1999b). Contractors are also required to store, transport and dispose of hazardous materials at licensed facilities, consistent with the following regulations: Transportation of Dangerous Good Act (BC and Canada); Environmental Management Act: Hazardous Waste Regulation (BC); Health Act: Sanitary Regulations (BC); Fire Services Act: British Columbia Fire Code Regulation (BC); Canada Labour Code: Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations; and Workers Compensation Act: Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (BC). Construction personnel must not mix or dilute Hazardous Waste. Revision PE Page 2 of 8

3 Prior to construction or demolition works, the contractor must review historical site plans and history and, in combination with construction plans for existing facilities, must conduct onsite inspections of working areas where there is a possibility that hazardous waste may be buried, or be present in existing buildings or building materials. The contractor must then develop site specific Hazardous Materials Management Plans to manage hazardous wastes. The plans will be reviewed by the EPC Contractor s environmental team, in particular the EPC s Contaminated Sites Consultant. 9.4 POTENTIAL CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS Improper storage, handling, transportation and disposal can potentially result in explosions, and leaks or spills of hazardous materials. These events, in turn, can adversely affect public or worker health and safety, result in lethal or sublethal effects to plants and animals, contaminate soil and water, and destroy or degrade habitat. 9.5 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT Contractors must develop site-specific Hazardous Materials Management Plans (HMMPs) for each construction site and ensure that personnel handling hazardous materials have received proper training. HMMPs should include at least the following elements: Inventory of known and potentially hazardous materials that may be used onsite during all phases of construction, including; o Volumes of materials o Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), where appropriate o Location of onsite storage areas o Spill equipment, prevention and response plans for hazardous materials o List of employees trained to handle hazardous materials Written, temporary onsite storage procedures and handling requirements including any temporary covers or containment/secondary containment measures that may be used, required security measures (including signage) and a discussion of routine, onsite inspection programs of storage and handling areas referencing a schedule of inspection and responsible personnel; List of hazardous materials that may be recycled or are destined for disposal, and information regarding transporting and the receiving facilities for such materials; and, List of site-specific environmental sensitivities and required hazardous materials handling procedures to protect sensitive areas. Revision PE Page 3 of 8

4 o This includes identifying acceptable hazardous materials handling locations, like fuelling stations and equipment maintenance areas away from sensitive areas like ditches and the normal high water mark of the Fraser River During construction, site supervisors will meet regularly with construction personnel to review the results of inspections, reassess the risks for environmentally sensitive areas as needed, and identify opportunities for procedural improvements Environmental Best Practices General Guidelines for Managing Hazardous Materials The following general guidelines will be incorporated into HMMPs and implemented in construction areas (Gibb et al., 1999): Outdoor storage of hazardous or potentially hazardous materials will be arranged such that stored products are 30 m from brush or forested areas, and 6 m between stored products, uncontrolled grasses or weeds and fuel dispensers (BC Fire Code); o Outdoor storage areas should be fenced and secured with locked gates when unmanned Buy and use only what is needed onsite, this should limit onsite storage requirements, transportation and recycling or disposal costs for hazardous materials; Ensure that personnel read and follow the directions for all products, and have easy access to MSDS for all hazardous material onsite; Make sure products are stored in their original containers and their labels are in good condition; protect labels with transparent tape as necessary to maintain them; o As needed and where safe to do so, use a correctly sized funnel to transfer hazardous materials from one container to another Avoid mixing chemicals unless specified by the manufacturer; Use chemicals as specified on the labels and in well ventilated areas; ensure employees wear all personal protection equipment and are trained as needed in the handling of specific chemicals; Keep corrosive chemicals away from flammable chemicals; Try to substitute non-hazardous chemicals for hazardous chemicals wherever possible; Revision PE Page 4 of 8

5 Thinners and solvents cannot be discharged into sanitary or storm sewers; use high pressure, high temperature water washes or steam cleaning instead of thinners and solvents; o Wash water discharged to sewer cannot exceed the discharge limits set by municipalities and regional districts o Small parts can be cleaned with degreasing solvents that are reused or recycled Sandblasting grits may be hazardous waste if they are used to strip lead, cadmium or chrome based paints and must be collected, transported and disposed offsite at a licensed facility; Routinely inspect storage areas and containers for leaks and document all leaks, containers found in poor condition or improperly sealed and any other problem that may result in the spill or release of a hazardous substance; and, Storage of Hazardous Waste must be in accordance with the Hazardous Waste Regulation and other applicable requirements. Guidelines for Petroleum Products Petroleum products commonly used during construction include fuels (e.g. gasoline, diesel, oil, kerosene) and lubricating oils and grease. Oil and oily waste products generated at construction sites include crankcase oil, cans, rags, filters and leaking equipment (Gibb et al., 1999). Waste oils should not be mixed with degreasers, solvents, antifreeze or brake fluid, but should be stored in leak proof containers such as sealed barrels for disposal at a hazardous waste facility. The following list provides general guidelines for storing petroleum products (Gibb et al., 1999): Store products in weather resistant sheds or another weather resistant facility; Line the floor of the storage area with plastic sheeting, or a similar barrier material; Build an impervious barrier around the perimeter of the storage area; the capacity of the bermed area should be 110% of the largest container in storage; Keep storage tanks of any kind off the ground and keep all lids securely fastened; Post a spill response plan for petroleum products in the storage area and keep labelled spill response equipment nearby; and Underground and above ground storage tanks must be located, constructed, installed and operated as outlined in the following regulations and guidelines: o National Fire Code (2005) Revision PE Page 5 of 8

6 o CCME: Environmental Code of Practice for Aboveground and Underground Storage Tank Systems Containing Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products (2003c) o BC Services Act: BC Fire Code Regulation o ULC: Standard for Steel Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids (ULC-S603) o ULC: External Corrosion Protection Systems for Steel Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids (CAN-ULC-S603.1) Storage Tanks Underground storage tanks shall be installed with not less than 600 mm of ground cover over the tank and at least 600 mm from adjacent tanks. Where subsurface conditions prevent the installation of the entire tank below ground, underground tanks must be installed such that (BC Fire Code): At least 75% of the tank s mass is below adjacent ground level provided there is not less than 600 mm of ground cover over the portion of the tank above adjacent ground level; or, At least 50% of the tank s mass is below adjacent ground level, provided there is not less than 1 m of ground cover over the portion of the tank above adjacent ground level. Storage tanks must not be installed directly adjacent to reinforced concrete slabs. They must be separated from the slabs by 150 mm of sand or another material that will evenly distribute the weight of the tank on the supporting base. In addition, underground storage tanks installed in areas with a high water table must be anchored to prevent tank uplift. Secondary, non-combustible containment will be designed with a capacity of 110% of the volume of the largest tank, or 25% of the total volume of containers onsite (whichever is greater). The operational phases of all underground storage tanks will include daily inspections and inventory reconciliation to assess the potential for leaks, with weekly or twice weekly inspections of above ground tanks systems. Operational plans will include detailed descriptions of corrective action to be undertaken when leaks are confirmed. Decommissioning plans for all storage tanks will be submitted to MoE and the Cities of Vancouver and Richmond to demonstrate that the proposed decommissioning strategies meet all relevant standards and regulations. Revision PE Page 6 of 8

7 Note: Fuel tanks must be drained within one (1) week of the end of a specific construction project and within one (1) month of a long shutdown. Fuelling and Equipment Operation Trucks and other machinery must be fuelled offsite wherever feasible, on a concrete surface or an area of clay or till. Fuel dispensing must comply with the Fire Services Act (BC), and the British Columbia Fire Code Regulation. Shut off nozzles will be installed on all dispensers with a capacity >250 L (MOT, 2004). Fuelling is prohibited in the following areas: Riparian areas, or the maximum wetted perimeter of a watercourse; Inside established sediment control structures; and, Within the dripline of protected trees. The contractor will be responsible for containing all fuel losses during fuelling or servicing of equipment and inspecting fuel-dispensing equipment for leaks. Contractors must ensure that external equipment surfaces are free of oil, diesel fuel and all contaminants prior to use near ditches or other environmentally sensitive areas. Wash water used to clean equipment may only be discharged to designated treatment areas like exfiltration ponds. Equipment must be serviced >30 m away from any watercourse or catch basin and devices like drip pans should be used wherever possible to prevent spills of oils and other petroleum products during servicing. Concrete Management Concrete, cement mortars, Portland cement or lime containing construction materials cannot be directly or indirectly discharged to watercourses, sanitary sewers, storm drains or soil or pavement carrying stormwater runoff (Gibb et al., 1999). Water used in concrete mixtures and for curing must be free of excessive oils, acid, alkali, organic matter and other deleterious substance (MOT, 2004). Concrete materials cast in place must remain inside form structures until cured (MWLAP, 2004). Contractors must ensure that any run off from newly poured concrete is diverted or pumped away from the construction area to an exfiltration pond, and that appropriate erosion and sediment control measures are implemented. Contractors are also responsible for ensuring that a CO 2 tank with a regulator, weighted soaker hose and diffuser is readily available during concrete works within 15 m of the wetted perimeter of a watercourse to neutralize ph levels in the event of a spill. Revision PE Page 7 of 8

8 Hazardous Waste Contaminated Soils Soils classified as hazardous waste identified in construction areas will be managed and handled as per the Contaminated Sites and Soil Management Plan (Section 8) Key Performance Indicators Environmental performance will be monitored and assessed on the basis of compliance with regulatory/institutional requirements outlined in subsection Monitoring Environmental monitoring will check that Contractors: Are using properly located and secured storage areas with appropriate secondary containment; Are inspecting storage areas; Are maintaining an updated inventory of hazardous substances on their respective sites; Have readily accessible Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) onsite; Are using licensed haulers for transport of hazardous materials and other dangerous goods; Are following other applicable procedures reflecting regulatory/institutional requirements and/or environmental best practices. Revision PE Page 8 of 8