Hazardous Waste & Emergency Procedures for Laboratories WSU Office of Environmental Health & Safety .

Hazardous Waste & Hazardous Waste & Emergency ProceduresEmergency Procedures

for Laboratoriesfor Laboratories

WSU Office of EnvironmentalWSU Office of EnvironmentalHealth & SafetyHealth & Safety

www.oehs.wayne.eduwww.oehs.wayne.edu

Hazardous Waste & Emergency Hazardous Waste & Emergency Response Laws for LabsResponse Laws for Labs

Hazardous waste generators Hazardous waste generators (this means you!)(this means you!) must comply with: must comply with:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA) Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA)

Michigan Department ofMichigan Department ofEnvironmental Quality (MDEQ)Environmental Quality (MDEQ)

Department of TransportationDepartment of Transportation(DOT)(DOT)

EPA College & University FinesEPA College & University Fines

March 2005: Plymouth State UnivMarch 2005: Plymouth State Univ., N.H. ., N.H. $171,050$171,050 EPA fine for improper marking EPA fine for improper marking & storage of haz waste.& storage of haz waste.

Clarkson UniversityClarkson University, Potsdam, NY, , Potsdam, NY, $45,000$45,000 EPA fine for unsafe handling & EPA fine for unsafe handling & storage of waste.storage of waste.

2000: University of Hawaii2000: University of Hawaii: : $1.7 million$1.7 million EPA fine for unsafe storage EPA fine for unsafe storage and 3 explosions on campus.and 3 explosions on campus.

What to do in an emergency?!What to do in an emergency?!

OUR PRIORITIES:OUR PRIORITIES:

Human Life – Don’t Human Life – Don’t risk yours or others!risk yours or others!

The EnvironmentThe Environment

PropertyProperty

April 2005: Ohio State Lab FireApril 2005: Ohio State Lab Fire

Grad students were loading 10-12 bottles of hexane Grad students were loading 10-12 bottles of hexane onto lab shelves when a shelf collapsed. Over 40 onto lab shelves when a shelf collapsed. Over 40

gallons of hexane were present in the lab.gallons of hexane were present in the lab.

Ignition could have been static electricity, or a Ignition could have been static electricity, or a spark from a motor or switch.spark from a motor or switch.

84 firefighters responded, initially using water, 84 firefighters responded, initially using water, then dry powder, finally chemical foam to put then dry powder, finally chemical foam to put out the fire. out the fire.

If the PI wasn’t able to inform them of what was If the PI wasn’t able to inform them of what was in the lab, they may have had to let it burn.in the lab, they may have had to let it burn.

Student treated for cuts and several firefighters Student treated for cuts and several firefighters for smoke inhalation.for smoke inhalation.

Two labs damaged, research destroyed, over Two labs damaged, research destroyed, over $200,000 in damage.$200,000 in damage.

Oxidizer -Oxidizer -Solvent Solvent

ExplosionExplosion(not at WSU)(not at WSU)

This early morning explosion in the cabinet under a This early morning explosion in the cabinet under a fumehood is believed to be the result of nitric acid fumehood is believed to be the result of nitric acid (an oxidizer) and an organic solvent being mixed in (an oxidizer) and an organic solvent being mixed in a closed container. Luckily, no one was standing in a closed container. Luckily, no one was standing in front of the hood when it occurred. front of the hood when it occurred.

Nov. 2006: Explosion at University of Nov. 2006: Explosion at University of Kentucky lab sends 7 to the hospitalKentucky lab sends 7 to the hospital

A minor explosion occurred in a UK engineering lab A minor explosion occurred in a UK engineering lab when a student poured nitric acid into a waste when a student poured nitric acid into a waste container. And it reacted with another substance container. And it reacted with another substance already in the container. already in the container.

Student was treated for cuts and minor injuries. Six Student was treated for cuts and minor injuries. Six other people were examined in the emergency room. other people were examined in the emergency room.

The incident resulted in closure of the seventh floor The incident resulted in closure of the seventh floor of the building for part of the day, and closure of the of the building for part of the day, and closure of the lab for the weekend.lab for the weekend.

Source: The Associated PressSource: The Associated Press

If you have any doubt about whether a If you have any doubt about whether a spill can be safely cleaned up by staff in spill can be safely cleaned up by staff in

the lab, get help:the lab, get help:

Confine the area – Confine the area – close doors.close doors.

Always evacuate Always evacuate when a fire alarm is when a fire alarm is going off.going off.

Exit by stairs – not Exit by stairs – not elevator.elevator.

Fires ~ Spills ~ EmergenciesFires ~ Spills ~ Emergencies Get to a safe locationGet to a safe location

DO NOT CALL 911!DO NOT CALL 911!

Call WSU Police: 7-2222 fires, injuries, Call WSU Police: 7-2222 fires, injuries, emergencies, after-hours spills.emergencies, after-hours spills.

Call OEH&S: 7-1200 non-emergency Call OEH&S: 7-1200 non-emergency spills, M-F 8:30-5spills, M-F 8:30-5

Give your name, location, details of spill Give your name, location, details of spill and secure area until responders arrive.and secure area until responders arrive.

OEH&S Hazmat OEH&S Hazmat Response Team Response Team provides safe & provides safe & proper clean-up proper clean-up of hazardous of hazardous materials spills materials spills & releases.& releases.

Lab Door SignsLab Door Signs

Notifies public and Notifies public and emergency responders emergency responders about the hazards about the hazards present in the room.present in the room.

Be sure to fill in Be sure to fill in emergency contact emergency contact names & numbers!names & numbers!

Contact OEH&S for a Contact OEH&S for a sign: 577-1200sign: 577-1200

Minor Chemical SpillsMinor Chemical Spills

Use your discretionUse your discretion: A minor spill…: A minor spill… does not spread rapidlydoes not spread rapidly does not endanger people or property does not endanger people or property

except by direct contactexcept by direct contact does not endanger the environmentdoes not endanger the environment

ConsiderConsider:: amount spilledamount spilled hazards of chemicalhazards of chemical if you have proper materialsif you have proper materials

to clean up to clean up

Cleaning up a minor spill...Cleaning up a minor spill... Wear gloves, eye protection, lab coatWear gloves, eye protection, lab coat

Prevent spread of liquid / vaporsPrevent spread of liquid / vapors

Absorb liquids w/ spill pads, kitty litter...Absorb liquids w/ spill pads, kitty litter...

Neutralize acids and basesNeutralize acids and bases

Clean spill area with soap & waterClean spill area with soap & water

Decontaminate area & equipment Decontaminate area & equipment

Label contaminated materials and notify Label contaminated materials and notify OEH&S for disposalOEH&S for disposal

Prevent Chemical SpillsPrevent Chemical Spills Store chemicals on sturdyStore chemicals on sturdy

shelves, away from edge,shelves, away from edge,

on shelves w/ lipson shelves w/ lips

Reduce clutter, eliminateReduce clutter, eliminate

trip hazards/obstructionstrip hazards/obstructions

Transport chemicals in carts with sides or in secondary

containers.

Mercury SpillsMercury Spills ALWAYS Report mercury spills to OEH&S.ALWAYS Report mercury spills to OEH&S.

Do not clean up or disposeDo not clean up or disposeof mercury on your own.of mercury on your own.

Prevent spreadingPrevent spreadingcontamination.contamination.

Isolate the area andIsolate the area andcall for assistancecall for assistance

Mercury CollectionMercury Collection If spill is contained, If spill is contained,

collect mercury and collect mercury and glass in sealed glass in sealed impermeable container impermeable container or heavy duty plastic.or heavy duty plastic.

Wrap thermometer in Wrap thermometer in parafilm or tape, parafilm or tape, contact OEH&S for contact OEH&S for pick-up & disposal.pick-up & disposal.

Laboratory Hazardous Waste Laboratory Hazardous Waste Collection ProceduresCollection Procedures

Submit all requests for Submit all requests for hazardous waste disposal hazardous waste disposal and empty containers on-and empty containers on-

lineline

ChemicalChemical

BiologicalBiological

RadioactiveRadioactive

www.oehs.wayne.eduwww.oehs.wayne.edu

What’s wrong here?What’s wrong here?

Satellite Accumulation PointsSatellite Accumulation Pointsareas where hazardous wastes areareas where hazardous wastes are

collected or stored:collected or stored:

Located at or site of Located at or site of generation (lab).generation (lab).

Allowed to accumulate Allowed to accumulate up to 55 gallons of up to 55 gallons of hazardous waste hazardous waste or or 1 1 quart of acutely quart of acutely hazardous waste.hazardous waste.

What is Hazardous Waste?What is Hazardous Waste? Spent organic solventsSpent organic solvents

Most “wash” solutionsMost “wash” solutions

Most metals and solutions of metal saltsMost metals and solutions of metal salts

Mixtures of non-hazardous waste with a Mixtures of non-hazardous waste with a hazardous wastehazardous waste

Any waste which meets the EPA Any waste which meets the EPA characteristics of a hazardous waste:characteristics of a hazardous waste:

IGNITABLE, CORROSIVE, REACTIVE, TOXICIGNITABLE, CORROSIVE, REACTIVE, TOXIC

Waste Collection InstructionsWaste Collection Instructions3 golden rules3 golden rules

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

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

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

Segregate Waste ProperlySegregate Waste Properly Liquid waste should be separated into Liquid waste should be separated into

the following categories:the following categories:

Acids Acids BasesBases Halogenated organic solventsHalogenated organic solvents Non-halogenated organic solventsNon-halogenated organic solvents Trans. & heavy metals (aqueous solutions Trans. & heavy metals (aqueous solutions

of Hgof Hg++, Ag, Ag++, etc.), etc.) Air reactivesAir reactives Water reactivesWater reactives Cyanides and sulfidesCyanides and sulfides

Chemical Waste StorageChemical Waste Storage

Use the proper containers:Use the proper containers: 5 gallon plastic carboys (from OEH&S)5 gallon plastic carboys (from OEH&S) triple-rinsed used chemical bottlestriple-rinsed used chemical bottles

Chemical Waste StorageChemical Waste Storage

Store waste in safe, Store waste in safe, out of the way out of the way locations.locations.

Fumehood are work Fumehood are work areas. Only store areas. Only store waste in a hood if it is waste in a hood if it is not used for not used for experiments. experiments.

Keep containers closed except Keep containers closed except when adding waste!when adding waste!

Store liquid waste in Store liquid waste in secondary containerssecondary containers

Contact Science Stores or Medical Stores Contact Science Stores or Medical Stores (Scott Hall) to purchase bins.(Scott Hall) to purchase bins.

Sinks are NOT secondary Sinks are NOT secondary containers!containers!

Label all hazardous wastes!Label all hazardous wastes! ATTACH WASTE TAGATTACH WASTE TAG and and

record contents when first record contents when first waste is added to waste is added to container. container.

Write clearly in Write clearly in ballpoint ballpoint penpen – not marker. – not marker.

Do not separate copies.Do not separate copies.

Hazardous Chemical Waste TagsHazardous Chemical Waste Tags

Write Write COMPLETE COMPLETE NAMESNAMES of all chemicals. of all chemicals. this includes water this includes water (not H(not H220)0)

When requesting a pick-When requesting a pick-up, you must include the up, you must include the tag #. This is how we tag #. This is how we track your waste.track your waste.

Waste tags must be clear & legible!Waste tags must be clear & legible!Replace or write over tags if it is too Replace or write over tags if it is too

difficult to read the contents.difficult to read the contents.

Hazardous Solid CollectionHazardous Solid Collection

Plastic pails Plastic pails available from available from OEH&SOEH&S

Solids must be Solids must be labeled and closed.labeled and closed.

Not required to be in Not required to be in secondary secondary containers.containers.

Watch for potential problem chemicals:Watch for potential problem chemicals:

Peroxidizables:Peroxidizables: ethers, ethers,

dioxanes, tetrahydrofurandioxanes, tetrahydrofuran

absorb & react with Oabsorb & react with O22 - become - become

potentially explosive over time.potentially explosive over time. label w/ date received & openedlabel w/ date received & opened use up or dispose by expiration use up or dispose by expiration

datedate

Picric AcidPicric Acid: : explosive when dryexplosive when dry, , must be kept in solutionmust be kept in solution

Make sure boxes aren’t overflowing, messy or Make sure boxes aren’t overflowing, messy or easily broken open!easily broken open!

Uncontaminated Waste Glass &Uncontaminated Waste Glass &Plastic DisposalPlastic Disposal

Only uncontaminated or decontaminated glass & Only uncontaminated or decontaminated glass & plastic can go into boxes.plastic can go into boxes.

Boxes should be sturdy and in good condition.Boxes should be sturdy and in good condition.

Uncontaminated Waste Glass &Uncontaminated Waste Glass &Plastic DisposalPlastic Disposal

Keep weight below Keep weight below 25-30 lbs.25-30 lbs.

Tape boxes closed Tape boxes closed securely when fullsecurely when full

Label “waste glass” Label “waste glass” or “broken glass”.or “broken glass”.

Uncontaminated Waste Glass &Uncontaminated Waste Glass &Plastic DisposalPlastic Disposal

Needles, razor blades, lancets, etc. Needles, razor blades, lancets, etc. NEVER go in trash bags or boxesNEVER go in trash bags or boxes

ONLY in SHARPS containers!ONLY in SHARPS containers!

DO NOTDO NOT RECAP NEEDLES! RECAP NEEDLES!

Correct SHARPS DisposalFree containers from OEH&S