The only official copy of this file is the one on-line in the NSLS ESH website. Before using a printed copy, verify that it is the most current version by checking the document issue date on the NSLS ESH website.
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Control of hazardous and radioactive waste is a very important issue at NSLS and BNL. When planning your work at NSLS, it is important to us that you consider methods for minimizing the quantities of chemicals that are in use and the amount of waste or effluents that will be generated. Please look for ways to reduce waste. Improper disposal of chemicals, such as pouring materials into sinks, is forbidden. Even small quantities (a fraction of a liter) of some chemicals poured down a sink can be detected at the BNL waste water plant. This would violate BNL's State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit and could lead to large fines and costly remediation. If you have any questions, contact a member of the NSLS Safety Staff. There are a number of key hazardous waste issues that you should keep in mind while at the NSLS:
The applicable hazardous waste regulations to NSLS activities can sometimes be complicated. It is very important that everyone working at the NSLS conduct their activities in compliance with these regulations. Training is available as noted below and do not hesitate to contact a NSLS Safety Staff member when you have questions about the requirements.
Anyone disposing of hazardous or Industrial wastes must be Hazardous Waste Generator trained. This can be accomplished by taking web-based training at the BNL Training Page. Each experiment generating hazardous or radioactive waste must have a responsible person who has completed the BNL Web based training. This person is responsible to complete the paperwork for waste disposal. Return the completed paperwork to the NSLS 90-Day Hazardous Waste Collection Area Manager Keith Klaus (x6399, cell phone 631-466-2698, keithk@bnl.gov) before you leave the NSLS, to avoid our having to locate you for information or signatures.
Disposal of hazardous wastes is an important procedure that must be conducted in accordance with government regulations and BNL standards. Hazardous chemical wastes are solid, liquid, semi-solid, or gaseous material that may present a hazard to human health or the environment. Wastes are considered hazardous if they are ignitable, corrosive, reactive, toxic, or if they are included on one of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's lists. A more detailed description of hazardous wastes can be found at the BNL Waste Disposal Subject Area. The definition of hazardous wastes and the characterization of waste materials can be confusing. If you are not sure, ask someone on the NSLS Safety Staff or visit the How Do I Manage This Waste Stream page. Hazardous materials that have been classified as waste must be labeled as such and stored in either a Satellite Accumulation Area (see list) or a 90 day area (see map). Do not mix different types of waste in the same container without obtaining approval from the NSLS ESH staff.
The term
industrial
waste refers to non-RCRA hazardous waste that is banned from disposal into
the regular trash by State and Federal regulations. Industrial wastes are
managed in the same manner as hazardous wastes, except that industrial wastes
may be labeled with a green non-hazardous waste label instead of a red
hazardous waste label. If the oil or oily rags become contaminated with other
chemical products, or lead, they become RCRA hazardous waste and must be
labeled with a red hazardous waste label. Industrial waste oils do not need to
be stored in SAAs, but must be labeled with a green non-hazardous waste label
and stored in closed containers within a secondary containment tray. The
following are examples of industrial wastes produced at the NSLS:
·
Blasocut generated by
the crystal cutting process is a non-hazardous waste and must be collected in
the appropriate 55 gallon drum that is located in crystal cutting area (bldg.
535C). All other Blasocut generated by other machine
shop operations should be sent to central shops for recycling.
·
LPS degreaser is a non-hazardous waste and must
be collected in the appropriate 55 gallon drum that is located in the vacuum
shop area of bldg. 535C.
·
Vacuum pump oil is a non-hazardous waste and
must be collected in the appropriate 55 gallon drum that is located between the
West roll-up doors.
Satellite Accumulation Areas (SAA):
A Satellite Accumulation Area is a RCRA-regulated area that is designated as the initial point of accumulation for any hazardous wastes generated. Each Satellite Accumulation Area shall be located at or near the point in a process or facility where hazardous waste is generated. The NSLS Satellite Accumulation Areas are setup in strategic locations throughout the department (see list). Do NOT store more than 55 gallons (7.5 cubic feet or 210 liters) of a hazardous waste or one quart (950 milliliters) of an acutely hazardous waste within a Satellite Area. Once a waste container is full, regardless of its capacity, it should be moved to the 90-Day Accumulation Area within three days. Follow the rules that are posted at the Satellite Accumulation Area. Go to the "Operating a Satellite Accumulation Area" section in the Hazardous Waste Management Subject Area for more detailed information.
The NSLS 90-Day Hazardous Waste Collection Area is located in a small building outside the west roll-up door (see map). Wastes must be brought to this area, from which they will be picked up by the BNL Hazardous Waste Management Group. All wastes must be labeled and properly documented. Labels and waste control forms are kept in the 90-Day Hazardous Waste Collection Area. Detailed instructions are posted at the Waste Collection Area (see map).
Always take care when handling materials that could be released. Use absorbents or socks around machinery with minor leaks to control spread. Take prompt action to prevent spills from discharging to floor drains or sinks if you are familiar with the hazards involved and feel comfortable doing so. Any discharge to a drain, or to the outdoors, must be reported to the Lab emergency response number (x2222) and to the NSLS Control Room Operator (x2550) or member of the NSLS ES&H staff. Any indoor spill greater than five gallons shall also be reported. For discussion of a chemical spill at the NSLS see ES&H Highlight #1 Chemical Spill Incident. Additional information regarding BNL requirements is available in the Spill Response Subject Area.
All oily rags generated at the NSLS must be disposed of through BNL Hazardous Waste Management. This includes all rags soaked with environmentally friendly or biodegradable cooling fluids such as Blasocut. Appropriate oily waste receptacles are available from most safety equipment supply companies. If you generate oily rags please purchase a receptacle for your area and start collecting all oily rags. When the container is full, the rags should be double bagged in clear plastic bags and disposed of as industrial waste. Please use the green non-hazardous waste labels that are located inside the 90-Day Hazardous Waste Collection Area. In addition, fill out the white Non-Radioactive Waste Control Form and a Process Knowledge Certification Form (if necessary). Due to present policy, industrial waste disposal procedures are the same as hazardous waste disposal procedures. It is required that you or your designee be trained to dispose of industrial or hazardous waste. This can be accomplished by taking web-based training. Visit the PCB Management Subject Area for additional guidance on managing PCB contaminated rags. Oily rags contaminated with other chemical products, or lead, must be treated as RCRA hazardous waste.
Use of degreasing products other than LPS degreaser, AC-500 and Zep-Pride E must be assessed by the NSLS Safety Officer, Industrial Hygienist, or Environmental Compliance Representative (ECR) to determine whether they contain chemicals that will cause a waste management concern.
The NSLS Empty Aerosol Can recycling container is located by the NSLS Stockroom. It is a white container lined with a plastic bag and labeled with the words "Empty Aerosol Cans". When this container becomes full, NSLS Safety Staff will collect the contents of the plastic bag, puncture the non-hazardous cans using the NSLS can popper and recycle the empty cans as scrap metal. Please keep in mind that only empty aerosol cans can be collected for recycling. A spray can is considered "empty" when it is at atmospheric pressure and can no longer discharge any product. Waste aerosol cans that are still under pressure, that have any product remaining in it, or once held acutely hazardous chemicals or pesticides must be disposed of as hazardous waste. Use the yellow drum that is located next to the recycling container for aerosol cans that are considered hazardous waste. Make sure that you log what was placed in the drum on the posted inventory sheet.
Waste solder from electronics repair and assembly operations is typically composed of tin/lead or tin/silver solder. Waste solder must be collected in a container labeled "Solder Scrap for Recycling". A single container located in the vicinity of the soldering operations should suffice. When solder stations are cleaned, waste solder must be emptied to the labeled container. When the container is full, contact Keith Klaus for recycling. Containers and labels are available from Keith Klaus.
Alkaline Batteries manufactured after 1995 can be disposed of in the regular garbage, please continue to place other types of batteries in the proper container inside the NSLS 90-day hazardous waste storage area.
Follow the directions that are posted between the NSLS West roll-up doors, above the two empty glass chemical bottle repositories. It is very import to remove the BNL bar code from empty containers and affix it to a bar code removal sheet.
Disposal of
hazardous wastes is costly and time consuming. Please make every effort to
minimize the quantity of waste materials generated
(Pollution
Prevention & Waste Minimization Subject Area).
The
only official copy of this file is the one on-line in the NSLS ESH website.
Before using a printed copy, verify that it is the most current version by
checking the document issue date on the NSLS ESH website.
BNL Home Page..........NSLS Home Page..........NSLS Safety Home Page
For information regarding this document contact Keith Klaus (keithk@bnl.gov)