Waste Management Procedures

Table of Contents

Regulatory Requirements Overview

The Missouri University of Science and Technology endeavors to comply with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations including those set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). Noncompliance with Federal and/or State statutes and their associated regulations can result in significant penalties and fines to the university and its employees. Applicable statues include, but are not limited to, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) protects human health and the environment from the potential hazards of waste disposal, conserves energy and natural resources, reduces the amount of waste generated, and ensures that wastes are managed in an environmentally sound manner. (http://www.epa.gov/superfund/)

This section of the Waste Management Program is currently under construction. If you have specific questions, please contact Environmental Health & Safety at (573) 341-4305.

Waste Management Procedures

Chemical Waste

Chemical Waste Storage
Chemical Waste Pick-Up & Disposal
Spill Response Procedures

Minor Spills
Major Spills
Spills Requiring Special Procedures

Biohazardous Waste

Biohazardous Waste Storage
Biohazardous Waste Pickup & Disposal
Spill Response Procedures
Biohazardous Waste-Compliance Checklist
Non-Biological Wastes (Sharps)

Universal Wastes & Special Wastes

Aerosol Cans
Batteries
Gas Cylinders
Fluorescent Lamps/Tubes

Storage of Fluorescent Lamps
Fluorescent Lamp Pickup& Disposal
Spill Response - Clean Up Procedures

Mercury
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Used Oil

Chemical Waste

Chemical Waste Storage
Chemical Waste Pick-Up & Disposal
Spill Response Procedures

Minor Spills
Major Spills
Spills Requiring Special Procedures

Chemical Waste Storage

A satellite accumulation area is an area at or near the process that generates the waste. A common example for labs or maintenance shops is the chemical/hazardous waste collection area. In this area all incompatible wastes must be separated to the greatest extent possible.

Containers- During storage all waste containers must be kept closed except when it is necessary to add or remove waste. Evaporation of wastes in fume hoods is prohibited. Containers must be maintained in good condition (i.e. no rust, dents or leaks, etc.) and must be compatible with the wastes they contain. Poly type containers are preferred. If glass containers are used, spill procedures must be followed in the event of breakage.

Labeling- Federal and State laws require labels listing the container contents. The University has specially designed "yellow chemical waste tags" that help meet this requirement. Once a waste is placed into a container, a chemical waste tag must be attached to the waste container. The label must then be marked with a waste accumulation start date, generator name, room location, and container contents. By meeting these labeling requirements the university can avoid most lab violations.

Volume Limit-" Federal law allows generators to store up to 55 gallons of chemical waste or 1 quart of a particular acutely hazardous waste ( see a list of acutely hazardous chemicals) in the satellite accumulation area. Due to limited space in labs and for safer handling, we ask that all waste in laboratories be collected in containers not larger than 5 gallons/20 liters.

Holding Times-" Maximum storage time of waste is 1 year provided the volume restrictions have not been exceeded. However, we strongly recommend limiting the storage to 90 days. Once a container is full, a chemical pick-up request form must be submitted to Environmental Health and Safety immediately, so waste can be removed from the labs within 72 hours.

Chemical Waste Pickup & Disposal

To insure the timely pickup and proper disposal of chemical waste a "Chemical Materials Pickup Request" form is filled out and is either dropped off or sent through campus mail to:

Environmental Health & Safety, 108 Campus Support Facility

If you have questions pertaining to the storage or disposal of chemical waste, please contact EHS at (573)-341-4305.

Spill Response Procedures   (Printable PDF or Word Document)

Minor Spills
Major Spills
Spills Requiring Special Procedures

Despite the best efforts of anyone, to practice safe handling of hazardous chemicals, accidents resulting in the release of chemicals will occur. For this reason, it is essential that all laboratories and shops have a spill response plan that includes appropriate procedures and materials to adequately contain and clean up a chemical spill. Prior to the use of any product or chemical a review of the MSDS for guidance on PPE & spill clean up would be of great importance. The following procedures should be used as a guide to help laboratories and shops design an effective spill control plan.

Minor Spills

In the event of a spill involving the release of a type or quantity of a chemical which does not pose an immediate risk to health and does not involve chemical contamination to the body:

• Notify lab or shop personnel and neighbors of the accident.
• Isolate the area by closing lab or shop doors.
• Locate spill kit and choose appropriate PPE.
• Confine and contain the spill with appropriate absorbent material. Acid and base spills should be neutralized prior to cleanup.
• Sweep solid material into a plastic dustpan and place in a sealed container.
• Establish exhaust ventilation and vent vapors to outside by turning on fume hoods or opening windows.
• Put all contaminated items (gloves, clothing, etc.) into a sealed container or plastic bag. Label container with "yellow chemical waste tags".
• Call EHS at (573) 341-4305 for special pickup if necessary.

CALL EHS at (573) 341-4305 IF SPILL IS:

• Greater than 1 gallon
• Very toxic
• Poses a fire hazard
• If you need assistance
• If chemical is unknown

Major Spills

In the event of a chemical spill which: 1) involves the release of a type or quantity of a chemical that poses an immediate risk to life and health; or 2) involves an uncontrolled fire or explosion:

• Evacuate the building by activating the nearest fire alarm.
• Call Missouri S&T Police (4300) and give details of the accident including location, types of hazardous materials involved, and whether there is personal injury.

If the accident involves personal injury or chemical contamination, follow the above steps as appropriate and at the same time:

• Move the victim from the immediate area of fire, explosion, or spill (if this can be done without further injury to victim or you).
• Locate nearest emergency eyewash or safety shower. Remove any contaminated clothing from the victim and flush all areas of the body contacted by chemicals with copious amounts of water for 15 minutes.
• Administer first aid as appropriate and seek medical attention.

Spills Requiring Special Procedures

Acid Chlorides

• Use Oil-Dri, Zorb-All, or dry sand.
• Avoid water and avoid sodium bicarbonate.

Alkali Metals (lithium, sodium, magnesium, potassium)

• Smother with dry sand or cover with contents from a class "D" fire extinguisher.
• Avoid contact with water.

Bromine

• Neutralize spill with a 5% solution of sodium thiosulfate.
• Absorb with inert absorbent material.

Hydrofluoric Acid

• Neutralize with soda ash or lime (or absorb with special HF spill pillow).
• Absorb with inert absorbent material.

Special Emergency Treatment for Hydrofluoric Acid Contamination

Skin Contact

1. Immediately  flush with copious amounts of water under an emergency shower.
2. Remove all clothing while under the shower. Flush skin for 5 minutes.
3. Apply calcium gluconate gel (2.5%) while wearing clean impervious gloves.
4. Get medical attention immediately.

Eye Contact

1. Immediately  flush eyes with water under eyewash for 15 minutes.
2. Get medical attention immediately.

Inhalation

1. Remove victim to fresh air.
2. Get medical attention.

Mercury

• Use aspirator bulb or suction device to collect mercury beads (Do not use a vacuum cleaner). By using a scraper or a piece of cardboard you can consolidate the mercury beads.
• Mop up mercury with Hg decontaminating powder. Commercial mercury spill cleanup sponges and spill kits are available through various laboratory safety equipment suppliers.
• Call EHS at (573) 341-4305 and ask for assistance if you are unable to accomplish adequate clean up.

White or Yellow Phosphorus

• Blanket with wet sand or wet absorbent.

Label spill cleanup waste with Hazardous Chemical Waste Tag and either call EHS at (573) 341-4305 or fill out the Chemical Materials Waste Pickup form and send it to EHS at 108 Campus Support Facility.

Biohazardous Waste Storage
Biohazardous Waste Pickup & Disposal
Spill Response Procedures
Non-Biological Wastes (Sharps)

Containers

The contracted Disposal Company provides the large waste containers for the pre-approved waste collection area. Biohazardous waste containers consist of either a cardboard box lined with a red trash bag labeled with words infectious waste or a red poly-drum labeled with the words infectious waste. All needles, syringes or other sharp Biohazardous waste must be placed into a puncture-resistant sharps disposal box prior to placing waste into contractor's waste containers. The sharps disposal box can be purchased through most safety suppliers. During storage all waste containers must be kept closed except when it is necessary to add or remove waste.

Labeling

If Biohazardous waste is placed into contractor's waste containers, no labeling requirements are necessary.

Once a month the contracted Disposal Company will pickup all full Biohazardous waste containers at the approved Biohazardous waste collection area. After waste is weighed and loaded onto truck the driver will provide a packing receipt, and a copy of the signed regulated waste manifest to the bio waste generator. Both originals should be forwarded to EH&S, Campus Support Facility, Room 108. The waste generator should maintain a copy of both records.3. Spill Clean Up -" If a liquid biohazardous or infectious waste is spilled, care must be taken to insure no unprotected person comes in contact with the waste. Always wear protected eye wear and gloves during spill cleanup.

Aerosol Cans
Batteries
Gas Cylinders
Fluorescent Lamps/Tubes

Storage of Fluorescent Lamps
Fluorescent Lamp Pickup& Disposal
Spill Response - Clean Up Procedures

Mercury
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Used Oil

Storage of Fluorescent Lamps
Fluorescent Lamp Pickup& Disposal
Spill Response - Clean Up Procedures

Containers

To reduce breakage during storage and transportation, place all used lamps/tubes into original cartons. Remove all filler or cardboard debris from cartons prior to packing any used 4 ft. or 8 ft. fluorescent tubes. Once carton is full seal the end with packing tape.

Labeling

All packing cartons containing used lamps/tubes must be labeled with the following information prior to transportation to building T-32:

Used Lamps, Date, Building Name, and Number of Lamps in Carton.

Cleanup

If an individual fluorescent lamp is broken, retrieve lamp spill kit. Put on safety goggles and gloves. Using small hand broom, sweep all glass and lamp debris into dustpan. Double line bucket with trash bags, then place lamp into pail. Transport the bucket, containing the broken bulb, to building T-32. Remove trash bag and place into cardboard box reserved for broken lamps. Return spill bucket to original location. If a box of lamps break, place entire box into a plastic bag, covering both side, and seal it with packing tape and transport the box to building T-32. If broken lamps come in contact with clothing or skin, remove powder residue then launder clothing, wash exposed skin with soap and water. If broken lamps come in contact with carpet or upholstery call EHS at (573) 341-4305 for assistance.

Reporting

If at any time you feel the lamp breakage is too large for an individual to cleanup, please contact your supervisor and have them call EHS at (573) 341-4305 for assistance.

Containers

Containers used for accumulating used oils should be clearly marked with the words "USED OIL". This will help prevent oil contamination.

Disposal

Small quantities of used oil should be labeled and stored according to the Waste Management Procedures outlined in this manual.

The contracted oil recycling company will provide on-site pickup for those departments that generate a large quantity (200 gallons per year) of used oil, such as Physical Facilities and the Power Plant. If your department generates a one-time large quantity of used oil, and would need an on-site pickup by Gateway Petroleum Oil Recycler, please contact EHS at (573) 341-4305. All large quantity used oil generators should follow the "Used Oil Checklist" to lessen the risk of ground water contamination resulting from a petroleum oil spill.