If hazardous waste is accidentally released in the containment building, what do I do?

The regulations at 40 CFR 264.1101(c)(3) and 265.1101(c)(3) require owners or operators who detect a condition that could lead to or has caused a release of hazardous waste to repair the condition promptly according to specific procedures. Upon detection of a release of hazardous waste:

• Enter a record of the discovery in the facility operating record;
• Remove the affected portion of the containment building from service immediately;
• Determine what steps must be taken to repair the containment building, remove any leakage from the secondary collection system, and establish a schedule for accomplishing the cleanup and repairs; and
• Notify the Environmental Protection Agency’s regional administrator of the condition within seven days of discovering it, and provide a written notice to the regional administrator with a description of the steps taken to repair the containment building and the schedule for accomplishing the work within 14 working days.

The regional administrator will review the information and determine whether the containment building must be removed from service completely or partially until repairs and cleanup are complete. The administrator will give you written notice of the determination with the underlying rationale.

Once you complete all repairs and cleanup, you must notify the regional administrator in writing and provide a verification signed by a qualified, registered professional engineer that the repairs and cleanup have been completed according to the written plan submitted.