Western New England College
Environmental and Safety Compliance

Training Program for Handlers of Hazardous Wastes:
310 CMR 30.300

BASIC OUTLINE

How to identify a waste.
Hazardous wastes at the College.
What the rules are.
What to do in case of a spill.

How to Identify a HAZARDOUS WASTE.

WASTE: A material which has served its original purpose or
  • is no longer needed and
  • is being discarded.

HAZARDOUS WASTE: There are two types; LISTED WASTE and CHARACTERISTIC WASTE:

LISTED WASTE:

  • Most solvents including: acetone, benzene, toluene, xylene, and others
  • Solvent mixtures containing the above such as "paint thinner" or "mineral spirits"
  • Chlorinated solvents: methylene chloride, trichloroethylene, and "laminate adhesive."
  • Alcohols and ketones.
  • Toxic metals: lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium and others 
  • Restricted pesticides: chlordane, cresol, and others.

CHARACTERISTIC WASTES: 

  • IGNITABLE: Flash point less then 140°F.  (Note: Flammables have flash points less than 100°F and Combustibles have flash points between 100°F and 200°F. 
  • CORROSIVE: pH less than or equal to 2 or more than or equal to 12.5
  • REACTIVITY: Unstable and readily undergoes violent changes, or reacts violently with water, capable of detonating with an initiating source.
  • TOXIC: Known to cause a health hazard including the toxic metals and pesticides mentioned above.

How do you know?
Ingredients on the label.
Hazard warning on the label. Consumer products use the terms; Caution, Warning, or Danger.  Something that is "bio-degradable" may still be a hazardous waste.
Identified on new MSDS. 
If uncertain call the Environemntal and Safety Compliance Manager at extension 1634.

What's not hazardous?
Material that has lost it's hazardous properties in use such as curing, neutralization, etc. Mixed waste (hazardous and non-hazardous) is considered hazardous unless by knowledge of process or testing proven non-hazardous.

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL vs. HAZARDOUS WASTE; Hazards are the same and the hazard label should be the same. NON-ORIGINAL CONTAINER needs the same hazard warning on the label regardless of whether it is a material or a waste.

HAZARDOUS WASTES at the College.

WASTE OIL, Storage tank in CUB Transportation shop.

LEAD-ACID and other HEAVY METAL BATTERIES: If they are not leaking they are a "commodity" and can be treated like a new battery. If they are leaking they are a Hazardous Waste and must be labeled as such and stored in the bucket next to the waste oil tank. Other heavy metal batteries (NiCad or Lithium) should be given to the Environmental and Safety Compliance Manager to be stored with the Lab waste.

SOLVENT WIPES AND SORBANTS: Unsaturated is not a hazardous waste. A rag or speedi-dry can be kept and reused. If it is saturated (meaning is you can squeeze one drop out) it is a hazardous waste. This is the "one drop test".

PAINTS AND FINISHES: In a liquid state may be hazardous because of the solvent content. In a cured, solid state may be hazardous because of toxic metal content. Solvents maybe lost during use but allowing a paint can or paint rollers to dry out to make them non-hazardous is a violation.  Almost all recently purchased latex paint are non-hazardous but must be dry before placing the discarded can or roller into the regular trash.

MERCURY CONTAINING WASTES: Unusable thermostats should be given to the Environmental and Safety Compliance Manager to be stored with the Lab waste. All fluorescent and metal-halide bulbs should be kept intact and moved to the storage are in the AHLC.

What the Rules are for Handling HAZARDOUS WASTE?

CONTAINER: Appropriate for the waste.

  • Good condition.
  • Tightly closed.
  • Labels visible.

LABEL: MUST include three items:

  • The words: "HAZARDOUS WASTE"
  • The type of Waste.
  • The type of Hazard. (Ignitable, Corrosive, Toxic, Reactive, etc.)

ACCUMULATION AREA:

  • Secured.
  • Signed in one inch high capital letters; "HAZARDOUS WASTE".
  • Area clearly marked.
  • Wastes segregated.
  • Emergency information posted.
  • Inspected weekly.

SHIPPING AND MANIFESTS: The Environmental and Safety Compliance Manager will schedule shipping and prepare shipping papers. Hazardous wastes are usually shipped two weeks after the end of each academic semester; late May and early January.    

What to Do in Case of a WASTE Spill.

  1. Consider the hazardous properties of the waste before attempting any action.
  2. Contact others if their help may be needed or if there is a potential threat to:
    • Others in the Campus Community,
    • Our Neighbors or
    • The Environment. 
    The telephones near each Accumulation Area have posted numbers of those to contact.
  3. Contain the spill; keep the spill from reaching:
    • any sink or floor drains,
    • the outside environment, or
    • other chemicals or equipment.
  4. Return as much of the spilled material to its waste container as possible.
  5. Use available sorbants or specialty sorbants stored in the accumulation areas to pick up the remainder of the spill. These sorbant materials then become a hazardous waste and must be treated as such.  Containers will be available for spent spill clean-up materials in each accumulation area.

Security Awarness.

Security Risks: The hazardous components of the College's hazardous waste could be used in a deliberate attempt of assault, environmental pollution or other illegal act. Waste cabinets should remain locked except when adding material.  Keys for the cabinets should be kept in the control of the person to whom they were distributed by he Environmental & Safety Compliance Manager. Threats to these security precautions should be reported to the Environmental & Safety Compliance Manager at extension 1634. If these threats create an immediate danger to individuals or College property, or the illegal use of a hazardous material, contact Public Safety at their Emergency  Extension 1411.

Rev. 29 SEPT 2006