['Tank Systems', 'Waste']
['Medical Waste', 'Used Oil', 'Aboveground Storage Tanks', 'Waste Generators', 'Underground Storage Tanks', 'Hazardous Waste', 'Tank Systems', 'Waste Identification', 'Satellite Accumulation']
04/26/2024
Copyright 2024 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.
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To safely manage hazardous waste, you must know exactly what constitutes a waste, how it will act, and what its properties are. Is the waste extremely toxic? Do workers need special protection? Is the waste corrosive, or will it corrode certain types of containers? Is the waste incompatible with other wastes? Will it react (explode, catch on fire) if mixed with another waste or with water?
Once a waste is generated, you should characterize the waste before you place it in a container. Waste characterization can be done by either:
- Sampling and analyzing the waste, or
- Identifying the waste based on process knowledge (you know the constituents in the process and use that knowledge to determine if the resulting waste has characteristics that could make the waste hazardous).
Tips for waste characterization
Look at a material safety data sheet (MSDS) if it is available. Some information areas on the MSDS to look for include physical property, reactivity, fire and explosion hazard, and special protection information.
If a product used in a process meets one or more hazardous characteristics, the waste generated may exhibit some of the same characteristics.
Be aware of any changes in a production process which could alter the composition of the waste generated.
Container selection
After you characterize the waste and know if the wastes are incompatible or reactive, select an appropriate container. When selecting a container, consider the amount of waste and type (characteristic) of waste.
First, consider the amount of waste you generate and accumulate. For example, if you produce 20 to 25 gallons of waste, use a 30-gallon drum instead of a 55-gallon drum. On the other hand, you might use a 55-gallon drum for storing contaminated gloves or coveralls.
When selecting the container, make sure that the waste won’t react with the container itself. For example, highly corrosive wastes will react with a steel drum. The drum may fail and cause a waste release. How can you safely store corrosive wastes? Use plastic drums, or plastic-lined steel drums, to safely store corrosive wastes. To prevent drum failure, carefully “match” the right waste with the right container.
Tip for container selection: Consult a corrosion resistance guide to determine if the container and waste are compatible.
Consider one more thing when selecting a container. You can put wastes into unwashed containers that held incompatible wastes (under 40 CFR 265.177(b)). However, you must make sure that you meet the conditions specified in 265.17(b).
If you reuse a container that previously stored waste or other materials, make sure that the waste/material previously stored is compatible with the waste you intend to put in the container.
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['Tank Systems', 'Waste']
['Medical Waste', 'Used Oil', 'Aboveground Storage Tanks', 'Waste Generators', 'Underground Storage Tanks', 'Hazardous Waste', 'Tank Systems', 'Waste Identification', 'Satellite Accumulation']
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Copyright 2024 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.