Hazardous Waste & Emergency Procedures

A Shared ResponsibilityCalvin College

Calvin College Hazardous Waste Policies

Managing Hazardous Waste (HW) is a shared responsibility

Calvin is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment…

Disposing HW into dumpsters, drains, or onto the ground is prohibited. Only EHOS may arrange for HW transportation and disposal. Recycling of Universal Waste is the responsibility of Henry Kingma in the

Physical Plant Grounds department. Report HW spills immediately and follow Calvin’s

Emergency Response Plan. Report violations to EHS and or Campus Safety immediately.

What is Hazardous Waste?

Wastes that contain any of the following characteristics:

• Flammable• Corrosive• Reactive• Toxic• Poisonous• Carcinogenic• Radioactive/mixed wastes

What is Hazardous Waste?

Examples of Hazardous Waste at Calvin:• Spent solvents• Waste or unused paint, adhesives, etc.• Obsolete cleaning products• Full or partially full obsolete aerosol cans• Science lab waste• Demolition debris containing asbestos or

lead

What is Hazardous Waste?

Examples of Hazardous Waste that can be recycled or handled as Universal Waste:

• Electric lamps and ballasts• Batteries• Consumer electronics• Mercury devices• Pharmaceuticals• Pesticides• Used motor oil• Photo processing chemicals• Anti freeze

Hazardous Waste Laws• Hazardous waste generators (this means you!)

must comply with:

– Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA)

– Michigan Department of

Environmental Quality (DEQ)

– Department of Transportation (DOT)

Storage Requirements

• Store Hazardous Waste safely in designated areas.

• Do not store any chemicals or hazardous waste in a fume hood.

• Cap all hazardous waste when not in use. (Do not leave funnels in waste containers.)

Waste Labeling Instructions

• ATTACH label and write information as soon as first waste is added to container. Exception: the accumulation date should not be added until the container is full.

• Write clearly, in pen or marker.• Write COMPLETE NAMES of all contents: no

abbreviations or formulas. For example, water should not be labeled H20.

Satellite Accumulation Points

• Definition: Areas where hazardous wastes are collected or stored that are not in SB 055:– Must be located at or near site of generation

(laboratory or shop)– Once the container is full, it should be dated

and moved to SB 055 within 3 days– We are allowed to accumulate up to 55

gallons of hazardous waste or 1 quart of acutely hazardous waste at a Satellite Accumulation Point.

3 Golden Rules

• PROPERLY TAG AND LABEL WASTE AS SOON AS A NEW CONTAINER IS BEGUN.

• KEEP WASTE CONTAINERS CLOSED WHEN NOT ADDING WASTE TO THEM.

• STORE LIQUID WASTE CONTAINERS IN SECONDARY CONTAINMENT AT ALL TIMES!

Most Common Problems:

• Funnels left in containers• Containers left open in fume hoods• Unlabeled or improperly labeled containers

Oops… what’s wrong here?

What’s Missing?

Hazardous Waste Assistance

• Science Departmental Lab Managers (Rich Huisman and Lori Keen) are great resources.

• EHS will assist departments in determining whether or not a material is a Hazardous or Non-hazardous waste.

• Call EHS 526-8591 to schedule a hazardous waste pick-up or for technical assistance.

• EHS will assist in training employees who may handle Hazardous Waste.

Segregation of Waste• Liquid waste in science labs should be

separated into the following categories:– Acids – Bases– Halogenated organic solvents– Non-halogenated organic solvents– Trans. & heavy metals (aqueous solutions

of Hg+, Ag+, etc.)– Non- haz aqueous solutions (Na2CO3,

KHP, etc.)• Solid wastes may be combined and collected

in a separate, dedicated container.

Segregate and Store Chemicals Properly

Correct Glass Disposal

Electric Lamp Disposal

• Keep a cardboard box that new lamps come in to place spent lamps in. Label this box as "Spent Fluorescent Lamps" or “Used Electric Lamps”. Add the date the first bulb goes into the box on the label.

• If you need an empty box for this purpose you can get one from the Recycling Building. Contact Henry Kingma if you need help with this.

• Be sure not to stack heavy things on top of the "Spent Fluorescent Lamps" box. Lamps must be protected from being broken.

Recommended Broken Lamp Handling Practices

• If a mercury containing lamp breaks, close off the room to other parts of the building.

• Open a window to disperse any vapor that may escape, and leave the room for at least 15 minutes.

• Carefully scoop up the fragments with a stiff paper (do not use your hands) and wipe the area with a disposable paper towel to remove all glass fragments.

• Do not use a vacuum as this disperses the mercury over a wider area.

• All fragments should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and placed inside a box or pail that is then sealed and labeled.

• Call Henry Kingma to pick up the container of broken lamps.

• Broken lamps are not considered “Universal Waste”.

Devices Containing Mercury

• Thermostats, thermometers, barometers, medical, and scientific devices that contain elemental mercury must be handled as universal waste.

• The bulbs of mercury must be carefully protected from being broken. Releasing mercury into the environment is a health and environmental hazard.

• These devices must be padded, contained and labeled. Give them directly to EHS or Henry Kingma.

• If mercury is spilled contact EHS for cleanup.

Used Motor Oil

• Motor oil that has been drained from Calvin College owned vehicles is collected and recycled in the Service Building.

• No PCB oils, cooking oils, solvents, fuels.• The containers must have secondary

containment that provides squirt protection.• Container must be kept closed except when

filling or emptying.• Containers must be labeled with the words,

“Used Oil”.

Batteries

• Lead Acid Batteries– Stored on an impervious spill pallet inside the

Recycling Building– Contact Doug Kok in Transportation for

assistance• Dry Cell Batteries

– Stored in covered, leak proof containers that are labeled with the words, “ Waste Batteries”

– Contact Henry Kingma in Grounds for assistance

Correct SHARPS Disposal

Dispose of SHARPS properly!

Watch condition of containers, their contents and their labels

Make sure chemicals are stored and maintained safely

Special or “problem” chemicals

• Peroxidizables: ethers, dioxanes, tetrahydrofuran absorb & react with O2 to form potentially explosive compounds over time.– label w/ date received &

opened– use up or dispose by

expiration date

• Picric Acid: explosive when dry, must be kept in solution

Problem Chemicals...

• Lecture cylinders must be empty to dispose of as “metal” waste.

• Toxic gases must be used up or have agreement to return to manufacturer.

Unknown Chemicals…who wants them??

• Ensure that ALL chemicalsare labeled at all times.

• Be sure to label all containers – even water.

• Original labels should be intact, chemicals transferred into other containers must be labeled.

• There is no such thing as an “unknown hazardous waste”.

• Unknowns chemicals must be identified before disposal by EHS.

A few general rules for storing & using chemicals

• Segregate (store separately):

– REACTIVES from IGNITABLES– ACIDS from CAUSTICS– CORROSIVES from FLAMMABLES– Strong OXIDIZERS from EVERYTHING– Most ORGANIC REACTIVES from

INORGANIC REACTIVES (metals)

Prevent Chemical Spills• Reduce clutter, eliminate

trip hazards/obstructions.• Store chemicals on sturdy

shelves, away from edge,on shelves w/ lips.

• Transport chemicals in secondary containers or in carts with sides.

• Store big containers close to floor.

• Transfer chemicals using pumps or other methods rather than pouring.

• Provide containment/spill pads to capture leaks/spills.

Emergency Procedures: Spill or Release Response

Evacuate• Evacuate personnel from the spill area. • Shut off electrical equipment as you leave

the area. • Direct personnel to nearest fire exit. Do

not use elevators. • Attend to victims. • Never enter a chemical spill area where

you may place your health in jeopardy. Call x3-3333, Campus Safety, for assistance.

• Just as you are not to re-enter a burning building, do NOT go back in to an area where a chemical spill has occurred!

Emergency Procedures: Spill or Release Response

First Aid• Remove victims from spill area to fresh air (but do not

endanger your own life by entering areas with toxic gases).

• Immediately remove contaminated clothing. • Flush skin or eyes with running water for 15 minutes. • Get medical attention for victims by contacting Campus

Safety x3-3333.

Caution: You may not feel any immediate effect from chemical spills, but it is very important to wash quickly and thoroughly as many chemicals can cause severe tissue damage that is not apparent till hours later.

Emergency Procedures: Spill or Release Response

Chemicals spills over large body areas• Remove contaminated clothing while under shower. • Flush affected body area with lukewarm water for at least

15 minutes. • Resume water wash if pain returns. • Wash off chemicals with mild detergent and water; do not

use neutralizing chemicals, creams, lotions or salves. • Get immediate medical help. • Make sure medical personnel understand exactly what

chemicals are involved.

Emergency Procedures: Spill or Release Response

Confine• Close doors and isolate the area. Prevent people from

entering spill area.• Establish exhaust ventilation if possible. • Vent fumes only to outside of building. • Open windows, if possible without exposing yourself to

fumes. • If vapors or gases are in a room which is not vented to

outside of building, close off room.

Emergency Procedures: Spill or Release Response

Secure• Block off entrances to the spill site and prevent people

from entering the contaminated area.• Post signs on doors leading to the chemical spill warning

of the spill.• Tape or rope off stairwells and elevators leading to the

spill and hang signs on the tape. Floor signs are available in Campus Safety and Biology.

• When chemical vapors or gases are being spread through a building's air handling system, call Physical Plant, x6-6444 to have the ventilation system shut off.

• Post staff by commonly used entrances to the spill site, so they can warn people to use other routes.

• For large outdoor chemical spills, keep people upwind and uphill from the site.

Emergency Procedures: Spill or Release Response

Report• Call Heather Chapman at EHOS 526-8591 or 299-2246• Alternate: Jennifer Ambrose at 526-6342 or 669-3141

AND call• Campus Safety at 526-3333 or 3-3333 (campus phones)

Clean Up• Calvin College Spill Team members will determine if the

Grand Rapids Fire Department Hazmat Team should be contacted for assistance.

Training Record• You have completed this

training program.• Please request a training

verification from EHS: jambrose@calvin.edu

• Once you receive the form, fill in your name and department.

• Sign and date the form.• Send it to EHS.• Thank you!