Chapter 5.1 Waste handling and storage
Notes on this chapter
The correct handling, marking and storage of hazardous wastes is vital to protect
personnel and to limit the chance of accidental harm to the environment and wider human
health. This chapter gives an overview of the key issues to be considered in the storage
and handling of hazardous wastes. The understanding and awareness of these practical
issues is relatively recent in developing economies, but it is one of the key factors to
achieving improved management of hazardous wastes.
The way wastes are stored and handled on-site and off-site has a major impact on the
success or failure of a hazardous waste management program. Proper planning is
necessary to ensure success. Some storage decisions are directly dependent on the
volume of hazardous wastes being generated and on the availability of treatment or
disposal facilities near the generation point.
This chapter provides information on the selection criteria for appropriate storage of
hazardous wastes.
List of slides
Title slide
Slide 2 Links in an integrated hazardous waste management system
Slide 3 Storage site selection
Slide 4 Storage site design criteria 1
Slide 5 Storage site design criteria 2
Slide 6 Hazardous waste compatibility 1
Slide 7 Hazardous waste compatibility 2
Slide 8 Undesirable reactions to mixing incompatible wastes
Slide 9 Duration of hazardous waste storage
Slide 10 Long term storage
Slide 11 Types of storage
Slide 12 Packaging materials
Slide 13 Types of Containers
Slide 14 Container selection criteria
Slide 15 Drums and cans
Slide 16 Tanks
Slide 17 Marking and labelling
Slide 18 All markings
Slide 19 Labels
Slide 20 Types of labels
Slide 21 Record keeping and inspection
Slide 22 Handling and storage hazards for personnel
Slide 23 Summary
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Background notes
Hazardous waste management system
1 The need for an infrastructure of proper hazardous waste management begins as soon as
the waste has been generated, and it continues throughout all of the subsequent stages:
handling, storage, transport, treatment and disposal.
2 The management system is a series of management actions which are aimed at
controlling and containing the waste, and which co-ordinates the necessary actions
between various persons and groups of persons.
Handling
3 This section reviews those management actions which relate to the initial stages of
handling and storage of the wastes after generation. Many of the actions, such as correct
labelling, also underpin the later stages of transport, treatment and disposal which are
addressed in later chapters.
4 The waste generator needs to have an established system to deal with the wastes once
generated. That must include handling procedures to ensure appropriate handling, as well
as safe interim storage until the waste can be transferred to the designated storage area for
a further storage period, or for treatment or disposal. Typically this interim storage will
rely on containers or bulk tanks.
5 Safe handling, collection and transportation of the hazardous wastes is necessary if it is
to be transferred to further storage, or sent for treatment or disposal.
Storage
6 Storage is a temporary holding of the wastes, after which time it is dealt with for the
long term.
7 There are two main types of storage: on-site and off-site. On-site storage is within the
premises of the waste generator, while off-site storage removes the wastes from the
premises on which they were generated. Both types of storage are pending the treatment
or disposal of the wastes.
8 Storage of hazardous wastes must be done in a way which minimises accidental release.
Among the most important provisions to ensure this are:
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the appropriate physical design of the storage area, and of any containers;
the correct labelling of the waste containers;
clear signage for the storage area;
emergency capability and contingency plans;
hazard communication plans;
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appropriate duration of storage; and
employee training.
Containers
9 The hazardous waste containers must be sound, in good condition and leak-free. They
must be kept closed during storage and inspected regularly. The compatibility of the
waste material with the container material is important so that the container’s integrity is
not impaired.
10 Hazardous wastes may also be kept in tanks. These are useful for wastes which are
easily handled by bulk materials handling systems such as pipelines, chutes or belt
conveyors.
Storage areas
11 Storage areas must be selected on the basis of a number of criteria. These include:
flood potential, proximity to residential areas and access to roads or railways.
12 Storage areas must be designed to minimise the possibility of explosion or any
unplanned release of hazardous waste to air, water or soil. Incompatible wastes should
not be stored together, but should be kept separate by barriers such as walls or berms.
Duration
13 Storage should be for as brief a period as possible.
Sources of further information
Batstone, R; Smith, JE & Wilson, DC editors (1989) The safe disposal of hazardous
wastes: The special needs and problems of developing countries World Bank,
Washington, Technical paper No 93 in 3 volumes ISBN 0-8213-1144-1 (available as pdf
files from www.worldbank.org/publications/)
Dean, RB & Wilson, DC (Editors) (1990) Adapting hazardous waste management to the
needs of developing countries, Waste Management & Research Vol 8 No 2
Kuhre, WL (1994) Practical management of chemicals and hazardous wastes: an
environmental and safety professional’s guide, Prentice Hall ISBN 0-1310-3946-6
LaGrega, MD; Buckingham, PL; Evans, JC & ERM Group (1994) Hazardous Waste
Management McGraw Hill, New York ISBN 0-07-019552-8
Phifer, RW & McTigue, W (1988) Handbook of hazardous waste management for small
quantity generators Lewis Publishers ISBN 0-8737-1102-5
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Nash, JM; Cheung, B; Fung, CH; Lei PK, Mak, PW; Rootham, RC; Stokoe, MJ & Tong,
R (1991) Control and treatment of hazardous (chemical) waste in Hong Kong Waste
Management & Research Vol 9 No 3
UNEP (1991) Hazardous waste policies and strategies – a training manual, Technical
report No 10 UNEP Industry & Environment Programme Activity Centre &
Environmental Education & Training Unit, Paris ISBN 92-807-1311-6
Handouts
1. Hazard classifications and symbols
2. Hazchem codes
3. ISWA emergency plan
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