TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HAZARDOUS WASTE PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS I II III IV V VI VII INTRODUCTION CHEMICAL HAZARDOUS WASTE 1. Definition 2. Characteristics / Properties 3. Unknowns 4. Non-hazardous Wastes 5. Waste Oils and Lubricants 6. PCB Materials 7. Gas Cylinders 8. Empty Containers ACCUMULATION REQUIREMENTS 1. Container and Storage Requirements 2. Labels 3. Waste Pick Up EH&S HANDLING AND STORAGE REQUIREMENTS 1. Segregation 2. Process 3. Waste Contractor (Purpose and procedures) OTHER WASTE REQUIREMENTS 1. Biohazardous Wastes 2. Radioactive Wastes 3. Waste Oils and Lubricants 4. PCB Materials 5. Gas Cylinders 6. Empty Containers EMERGENCY AND SPILL RESPONSE 1. Actions to take 2. Emergency Response Team 3. Spill Reporting WASTE MINIMIZATION 1. Recycling & Redistribution 2. Substitution 3. Redistillation 4. Silver Recovery 2
INTRODUCTION The Environmental Health and Safety Department at Texas Tech University is responsible for overseeing a safe and environmentally correct program that is committed to the management of all hazardous materials used and stored at its facilities. This Hazardous Waste Program includes procedures for the proper determination, handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste at the University. These procedures comply with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and all applicable requirements of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations and OSHA Title 29. Texas Tech University has assigned the management of hazardous and mixed wastes to Environmental Health & Safety. This department has personnel who have the technical training and experience to handle the wide variety of wastes produced by the University. All persons who generate, store, handle, or accumulate hazardous waste are responsible for the proper handling and management of waste in their area and for ensuring that University hazardous waste guidelines are adhered to. These guidelines can be found in The University Hazard Communication Program and the Texas Tech University Chemical Hygiene Plan. Department heads, in conjunction with departmental safety coordinators and departmental chemical hygiene coordinators, are responsible for ensuring that all persons in their areas that handle hazardous waste have been trained and understand the waste handling procedures in their individual work area. Ultimately, it is the individual using these materials who is responsible for following the guidelines. Any individual or department that has questions about these guidelines or pertaining to hazardous waste should consult with EH&S. With your cooperation and responsible actions, we can keep Texas Tech University a safe and environmentally responsible institution. 3
HAZARDOUS WASTE Definition Hazardous materials are those with the potential to have adverse effects on people, property, or the environment. Federal, state, and local governments provide guidance for determining whether a waste is hazardous or not. This determination is made according to the physical characteristics of the waste (e.g., toxicity, ignitability, corrosivity, and reactivity). There are numerous chemicals that possess one or more of these properties. Multiple hazards may not be apparent unless detailed information is obtained from the manufacturers material safety data sheets (MSDS). Mixing of chemicals may further increase any or all of the hazardous characteristics. Characteristics / Properties Inherent properties of hazardous waste determine the potential hazards. A waste is considered hazardous if it exhibits one or more of the characteristics listed below. Corrosivity: A waste is considered to be corrosive if it is a liquid with a ph of less than 2 or more than 12.5. This waste cannot be disposed of in the sanitary sewer (ph is lower than 5 or higher than 10). It must be collected in a proper container and the waste generator must notify EH&S personnel to pick up the waste. This waste group will usually include strong acids and bases. This information can generally be found in sections III and V of most MSDS information sheets. Ignitability: A waste is considered ignitable if it is a liquid with a flashpoint of less than 140 º Fahrenheit (60 º Celsius). The flashpoint of a substance is the minimum temperature at which that substance will produce enough vapors to form an ignitable mixture with air. These wastes are classified as flammables. This waste group will usually include organic solvents such alcohols and ethers. This information can generally be found in section IV of most MSDS information sheets. Reactivity: A waste is considered reactive if it is unstable, explosive, water reactive, air reactive, or a strong oxidizer. Examples in this group include any of the group 1A metals, organo-metallics, hydrides, and any pyrophoric substance. This information can generally be found in section V of most MSDS information sheets. Toxic: A waste is considered toxic if it harms or destroys a living animal or plant. Toxic substances are ranked according to information obtained from animal testing. Toxicity data is usually given in Threshold limit value-ceiling (TLV-C) or Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) which is the concentration that should not be exceeded. This information can generally be found in sections II and VI of most MSDS information sheets. 4
Unknowns When an unknown substance is found, efforts must be made to identify it. These efforts include consulting the person in charge of the area or running various analyses on the substance in order to determine the identity of the substance. You should place a label on the substance and mark it as an unknown only after every effort to identify it is exhausted. Non-Hazardous Wastes All chemical wastes are considered hazardous unless otherwise specified in writing by the manufacturer. 5
Container and Storage Requirements ACCUMULATION REQUIREMENTS Proper containers for accumulating and storing hazardous waste must be provided by the person who generates the waste. Usually, the best containers for hazardous waste are the original containers of that material. Other containers, such as 5 gallon carboys, are acceptable as long as the container and any residue left inside are compatible with the waste. Corrosives should not be stored in metal containers. If you have questions on container compatibility, contact EH&S. All containers must have tight-fitting lids. Unacceptable containers or containers without tight-fitting lids will not be picked up by EH&S personnel and it will be the responsibility of the generator to transfer the material to another container or to provide a proper lid for the container. Lids must be in place except when waste is actively being added to the container. Prior to accumulating any waste, a proper EH&S label must be placed on the container. Consult the section in this manual that pertains to labels for instructions. Waste that is collected must not be stored near or above drains, sinks, or any area where a spill or leak could potentially enter the sanitary sewer. Waste containers should not be stored in areas that are unprotected from weather, excessive heat, or where they pose a fire hazard. It is the responsibility of the waste generator to call EH&S for waste pick-ups when the container is full. Waste should be segregated according to the J. T. Baker Color Coding System found in appendix D of the University Chemical Hygiene Plan. Incompatible materials should never be mixed as this may cause explosions, fires, or generate flammable or toxic gases. If in doubt, do not mix! Labels All hazardous waste and waste containers must have EH&S waste labels affixed to them. Labels are provided by EH&S at no cost and come in three sizes. Each section that pertains to the generator must be filled out completely. Do not use empirical formulas to list chemicals under the contents section, chemical names must be spelled out. Both building and room number must be listed. The accumulation start date is the first day waste is put in the container. Under the Hazards section, check off all applicable hazards and list any other hazards associated with the waste. Use the example below as guidance. If you have any questions on how to fill out the labels, contact EH&S. 6
Waste Label Example HAZARDOUS WASTE Federal law prohibits improper disposal. If found contact nearest police or public safety authority or the U.S. Environment Protection Agency. Generator=s name and address: Texas Tech University Department of Environmental Health and Safety Box 41090 Lubbock, TX 79409-1090 Phone: (806) 742-3876 MANIFEST DOCUMENT #: (EH&S PROVIDED DOCUMENT NUMBER) CONTENTS 1. ACETONE 6. 2. 7. 3. 8. 4. 9. 5. 10. BUILDING Drane Hall ROOM # 305 ACCUMULATION START DATE 3/ 12/ 97 HAZARD IRRITANT X FLAMMABLE REACTIVE CARCINOGEN NON-REGULATED UNKNOWN CORROSIVE POISON 7
Hazardous Waste Pick-ups Environmental compliance regulations require that the University adhere to certain guidelines regarding hazardous waste disposal. As such, we are required to inventory, identify and track hazardous waste generated at the University. To comply with these regulations, EH&S provides specific labels and manifest forms for chemical and biological waste. Hazardous wastes are picked up by EH&S personnel upon request. Prior to requesting a pick-up, the waste generator must label all bottles and containers with the orange hazardous waste labels and complete the Request for Transfer of Chemicals form listing what is to be disposed. It is essential that these labels and the manifest be filled out properly and entirely prior to EH&S picking them up. You may request a pick-up at any time during office hours. Chemical waste pick-ups are scheduled every Tuesday and Thursday with biological waste picked-up on Mondays. Should you require assistance with filling out the paperwork or need any of the labels or forms required, please call our department at 742-3876. Use the example below as guidance, if you have any questions, please contact EH&S. 8
Segregation EH&S HANDLING AND STORAGE REQUIREMENTS All wastes picked up by EH&S are stored and processed at the waste storage building. The rooms within this building are designed to serve as secondary containment areas. All wastes are stored according to hazards class (flammable, corrosive, poison, reactive, and unknown). All flammables are stored in one room designated for flammables. All others are stored in another room according to their hazards class. Process Wastes that can be processed at the waste storage building will be done by EH&S specialists. Flammables, such as organic solvents, will be bulked together in 55 gallon drums to maximize storage space and reduce disposal costs. Certain acids, bases and photographic chemicals will be neutralized and disposed of according to EPA and RCRA standards and the requirements of state and local laws. Other chemical wastes such as acetone, will be distilled to a point of usability and redistributed. By bulking, neutralizing, and recycling these chemical wastes, the EH&S department and all other departments involved will reduce disposal and purchasing costs significantly. Waste Contractor Texas Tech University is considered a large quantity generator, that is, wastes stored at the campus facility must be properly disposed of or shipped to a designated facility every 90 days. A second Texas Tech facility is located at 4 th and B Street at the Reese Center. This facility supports The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH) and is registered as a small quantity generator. Wastes stored at this facility must be properly disposed of or shipped to a designated facility every 180 days. To properly dispose of waste, bids are taken from waste contractors. Waste contractors are chosen based on cost, experience, reputation, waste management facility, and many other criteria. The waste contractors are carefully chosen and their EPA ID numbers are always verified since the waste is the responsibility of the waste generator according to the cradle-to-grave rule. Once chosen, the hauler and designated facility are responsible for, but not limited to, the terms of agreement in the waste contract. 9
Biohazardous Wastes OTHER WASTE REQUIREMENTS Biological hazards are infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites that present a risk of death, injury or illness to employees. They include organisms and any materials contaminated with them. All biohazardous waste must be contained in a biohazard waste plastic bag and cardboard container that is provided by EH&S. Departments that have sharps materials (needles, syringes, scalpels, etc.) must supply their own sharps containers. Materials that can be rendered harmless through autoclaving can then be disposed of as normal trash provided autoclave tape or some other indicator of sterilization is attached to the container. EH&S has scheduled biohazard waste pick-ups on Mondays, upon request. If you have any questions concerning biohazardous waste, contact EH&S. Radioactive Waste Any person who works with radioactive materials must contact the Radiation Safety Officer to obtain the proper training and certification. Radioactive wastes are categorized in three ways; solids, liquids, and liquid scintillation vials. The Radiation Safety Section of EH&S will provide all the necessary waste forms and containers for radioactive waste storage and pickup. Radioactive wastes will be picked up by the Radiation Safety Section upon request. When contacting EH&S for radioactive waste pickups, the generator must: inform EH&S personnel of the type of radioactive waste (dry, liquid, vial) and the amount to be picked up, have all paperwork completed, make sure that boxes of dry and vial waste are sealed, assure that aqueous liquid waste have a ph between 5 and 10. Examples of radioactive waste pickup forms 14A can be found in the Sublicensees Organizer provided by the Radiation Safety Officer. 10
Waste Oils and Lubricants Any individual or department that has waste oils or lubricants should contact EH&S for disposal. PCB Materials Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are highly regulated materials. Any material containing PCBs will require special handling and disposal by EH&S. Materials such as rags or gloves contaminated with PCBs will be considered a hazardous waste and must be disposed of by EH&S. Gas Cylinders Gas cylinders used at the University should be rented and returned to the gas vendor after use. The purchase of lecture bottles or other non-returnable pressurized gas cylinders is discouraged because of the difficulty and cost of disposing of the cylinders. Disposal of empty or partially empty cylinders is handled by EH&S. Empty Containers Empty containers that have held hazardous materials are considered empty if all material has been removed that can be removed using the method normally employed to remove that material from the container. These methods include pouring, pumping or aspirating. The labels on empty containers should be removed or defaced. If the empty containers are not to be used for accumulating waste material, please contact EH&S for proper disposal and/or pick-up. 11
EMERGENCY AND SPILL RESPONSE Actions to take In the event of a spill, EH&S should be notified as soon as possible. The person responsible for the spill or release of any hazardous substance should evaluate the potential danger before taking any action. The person or persons involved should clear the immediate area and notify the supervisor. The supervisor should then notify EH&S immediately. For accidents involving personal injury such as chemical burns or chemical contamination, call 9-911 as needed. In cases where chemical exposure to the eyes or any part of the body occurs, assist the individual to an eyewash station or safety shower. For any other minor injuries, consult MSDS for first aid information and instructions, then notify the lab instructor or safety coordinator. Large spills or releases of unknown or toxic materials, spills that are immediately dangerous to life and health, spills that result in fire or explosion should all be treated as emergencies. Evacuate the immediate area of the spill and call 9-911. In larger incidents, evacuate the entire building. All personnel leaving the building should gather upwind. Lab supervisors should verify that all persons are accounted for. Persons involved with the accident need to remain in this area in order to answer questions from emergency response personnel. Spill Response Team Once EH&S is notified of a spill or release, The City of Lubbock spill response team is activated. This team consists of certified spill response personnel. The spill response team is trained to wear the appropriate protective equipment, use proper monitoring equipment, make safety assessments, and use proper equipment to perform spill containment, stabilization, and decontamination. Spill Reporting For any spill or release, a written report should be filed with EH&S. This report should include the date, time, and area of the spill; the names of all persons that were involved; a description of the events that took place; the chemical or chemicals spilled and the approximate amount. This report should be signed and forwarded to EH&S as soon as possible. 12
WASTE MINIMIZATION Recycling & Redistribution Surplus chemicals can and should be exchanged among labs, sections, or departments. This applies not only to virgin materials, but to the end products of processes or experiments which could be of use to someone else. Any individual or department that has surplus chemicals should notify EH&S so that we can attempt to redistribute the chemicals. Any individual or department that can use recycled or redistributed chemicals or material should contact EH&S. Redistribution is based on a first-comefirst-served basis. Substitution Substitution of a less hazardous material for one requiring special handling will not only cut disposal costs, but reduce hazards in the laboratory as well. If a choice of chemicals is possible, EH&S should be consulted regarding the waste disposal impact of the choice alternatives. Redistillation Any individual that has the capability to redistill chemicals for reuse should do so. This can save on both disposal and purchasing costs by the department. EH&S has a commercial distillation apparatus that is used to recover solvents. Acetone is currently being redistilled and is available free of charge to any department that can use it. Silver Recovery EH&S has a silver recovery system that extracts silver and neutralizes the remaining acetic acid. With a considerable number of photo processing chemical from various departments on campus this presents a value both in recovered silver but most importantly in the waste disposal savings. 13
QUESTIONS Any remaining questions regarding hazardous waste disposal should be directed to Environmental Health and Safety at 742-3876. 14