Hazardous Waste &
Emergency Procedures
A Shared Responsibility
Calvin College
Calvin College
Hazardous Waste Policies
Managing Hazardous Waste (HW) is a shared
responsibility
 Calvin is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy work
environment…
 Disposing HW into dumpsters, drains, or onto the ground is prohibited.
 Only EHOS may arrange for HW transportation and disposal.
 Recycling of Universal Waste is the responsibility of Henry Kingma in the
Physical Plant Grounds department.
 Report HW spills immediately and follow Calvin’s Emergency Response
Plan.
 Report violations to EHS and or Campus Safety immediately.
What is Hazardous Waste?
Wastes that contain any of the following
characteristics:
• Flammable
• Corrosive
• Reactive
• Toxic
• Poisonous
• Carcinogenic
• Radioactive/mixed wastes
What is Hazardous Waste?
Examples of Hazardous Waste at Calvin:
• Spent solvents
• Waste or unused paint, adhesives, etc.
• Obsolete cleaning products
• Full or partially full obsolete aerosol cans
• Science lab waste
• Demolition debris containing asbestos or
lead
What is Hazardous Waste?
Examples of Hazardous Waste that can be
recycled or handled as Universal Waste:
• Electric lamps and ballasts
• Batteries
• Consumer electronics
• Mercury devices
• Pharmaceuticals
• Pesticides
• Used motor oil
• Photo processing chemicals
• Anti freeze
Hazardous Waste Laws
• Hazardous waste generators (this means you!)
must comply with:
– Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA)
– Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality (DEQ)
– Department of Transportation (DOT)
Storage Requirements
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Store Hazardous Waste safely in
designated areas.
Do not store any chemicals or hazardous
waste in a fume hood.
Cap all hazardous waste when not in use.
(Do not leave funnels in waste containers.)
Waste Labeling Instructions
• ATTACH label and write information as soon as first
waste is added to container. Exception: the
accumulation date should not be added until the
container is full.
• Write clearly, in pen or marker.
• Write COMPLETE NAMES of all contents: no
abbreviations or formulas. For example, water should
not be labeled H20.
Satellite Accumulation Points
• Definition: Areas where hazardous wastes
are collected or stored that are not in SB
055:
– Must be located at or near site of generation
(laboratory or shop)
– Once the container is full, it should be dated
and moved to SB 055 within 3 days
– We are allowed to accumulate up to 55
gallons of hazardous waste or 1 quart of
acutely hazardous waste at a Satellite
Accumulation Point.
3 Golden Rules
• PROPERLY TAG AND LABEL WASTE AS
SOON AS A NEW CONTAINER IS BEGUN.
• KEEP WASTE CONTAINERS CLOSED WHEN
NOT ADDING WASTE TO THEM.
• STORE LIQUID WASTE CONTAINERS IN
SECONDARY CONTAINMENT AT ALL TIMES!
Most Common Problems:
• Funnels left in containers
• Containers left open in fume hoods
• Unlabeled or improperly labeled containers
Oops… what’s wrong here?
What’s Missing?
Hazardous Waste Assistance
• Science Departmental Lab Managers (Rich
Huisman and Lori Keen) are great resources.
• EHS will assist departments in determining
whether or not a material is a Hazardous or
Non-hazardous waste.
• Call EHS 526-8591 to schedule a hazardous
waste pick-up or for technical assistance.
• EHS will assist in training employees who may
handle Hazardous Waste.
Segregation of Waste
• Liquid waste in science labs should be
separated into the following categories:
– Acids
– Bases
– Halogenated organic solvents
– Non-halogenated organic solvents
– Trans. & heavy metals (aqueous solutions
of Hg+, Ag+, etc.)
– Non- haz aqueous solutions (Na2CO3,
KHP, etc.)
• Solid wastes may be combined and collected
in a separate, dedicated container.
Segregate and Store Chemicals
Properly
Correct Glass Disposal
Electric Lamp Disposal
• Keep a cardboard box that
new lamps come in to place
spent lamps in. Label this box
as "Spent Fluorescent Lamps"
or “Used Electric Lamps”. Add
the date the first bulb goes into
the box on the label.
• If you need an empty box for
this purpose you can get one
from the Recycling Building.
Contact Henry Kingma if you
need help with this.
• Be sure not to stack heavy
things on top of the "Spent
Fluorescent Lamps" box.
Lamps must be protected from
being broken.
Recommended Broken Lamp
Handling Practices
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•
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•
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If a mercury containing lamp breaks,
close off the room to other parts of the
building.
Open a window to disperse any vapor
that may escape, and leave the room
for at least 15 minutes.
Carefully scoop up the fragments with
a stiff paper (do not use your hands)
and wipe the area with a disposable
paper towel to remove all glass
fragments.
Do not use a vacuum as this disperses
the mercury over a wider area.
All fragments should be placed in a
sealed plastic bag and placed inside a
box or pail that is then sealed and
labeled.
Call Henry Kingma to pick up the
container of broken lamps.
Broken lamps are not considered
“Universal Waste”.
Devices Containing Mercury
• Thermostats, thermometers,
barometers, medical, and scientific
devices that contain elemental
mercury must be handled as
universal waste.
• The bulbs of mercury must be
carefully protected from being
broken. Releasing mercury into the
environment is a health and
environmental hazard.
• These devices must be padded,
contained and labeled. Give them
directly to EHS or Henry Kingma.
• If mercury is spilled contact EHS for
cleanup.
Used Motor Oil
• Motor oil that has been drained from Calvin
College owned vehicles is collected and
recycled in the Service Building.
• No PCB oils, cooking oils, solvents, fuels.
• The containers must have secondary
containment that provides squirt protection.
• Container must be kept closed except when
filling or emptying.
• Containers must be labeled with the words,
“Used Oil”.
Batteries
• Lead Acid Batteries
– Stored on an impervious spill pallet inside the
Recycling Building
– Contact Doug Kok in Transportation for
assistance
• Dry Cell Batteries
– Stored in covered, leak proof containers that
are labeled with the words, “ Waste Batteries”
– Contact Henry Kingma in Grounds for
assistance
Correct SHARPS Disposal
Dispose of SHARPS properly!
Watch condition of containers,
their contents and their labels
Make sure chemicals are stored
and maintained safely
Special or “problem” chemicals
• Peroxidizables: ethers,
dioxanes, tetrahydrofuran
absorb & react with O2 to form
potentially explosive
compounds over time.
– label w/ date received &
opened
– use up or dispose by
expiration date
• Picric Acid: explosive when
dry, must be kept in solution
Problem Chemicals...
• Lecture cylinders must
be empty to dispose of
as “metal” waste.
• Toxic gases must be
used up or have
agreement to return to
manufacturer.
Unknown Chemicals…
who wants them??
• Ensure that ALL chemicals
are labeled at all times.
• Be sure to label all containers – even water.
• Original labels should be intact, chemicals
transferred into other containers must be
labeled.
• There is no such thing as an “unknown
hazardous waste”.
• Unknowns chemicals must be identified
before disposal by EHS.
A few general rules for storing &
using chemicals
• Segregate (store separately):
– REACTIVES from IGNITABLES
– ACIDS from CAUSTICS
– CORROSIVES from FLAMMABLES
– Strong OXIDIZERS from EVERYTHING
– Most ORGANIC REACTIVES from
INORGANIC REACTIVES (metals)
Prevent Chemical Spills
• Reduce clutter, eliminate
trip hazards/obstructions.
• Store chemicals on sturdy
shelves, away from edge,
on shelves w/ lips.
• Transport chemicals in
secondary containers or in carts
with sides.
• Store big containers close to
floor.
• Transfer chemicals using
pumps or other methods rather
than pouring.
• Provide containment/spill pads
to capture leaks/spills.
Emergency Procedures: Spill or
Release Response
Evacuate
• Evacuate personnel from the spill area.
• Shut off electrical equipment as you leave
the area.
• Direct personnel to nearest fire exit. Do
not use elevators.
• Attend to victims.
• Never enter a chemical spill area where
you may place your health in jeopardy.
Call x3-3333, Campus Safety, for
assistance.
• Just as you are not to re-enter a burning
building, do NOT go back in to an area
where a chemical spill has occurred!
Emergency Procedures: Spill or
Release Response
First Aid
• Remove victims from spill area to fresh air (but do not
endanger your own life by entering areas with toxic
gases).
• Immediately remove contaminated clothing.
• Flush skin or eyes with running water for 15 minutes.
• Get medical attention for victims by contacting Campus
Safety x3-3333.
Caution: You may not feel any immediate effect from chemical spills,
but it is very important to wash quickly and thoroughly as many
chemicals can cause severe tissue damage that is not apparent till
hours later.
Emergency Procedures: Spill or
Release Response
Chemicals spills over large body areas
• Remove contaminated clothing while under shower.
• Flush affected body area with lukewarm water for at least
15 minutes.
• Resume water wash if pain returns.
• Wash off chemicals with mild detergent and water; do not
use neutralizing chemicals, creams, lotions or salves.
• Get immediate medical help.
• Make sure medical personnel understand exactly what
chemicals are involved.
Emergency Procedures: Spill or
Release Response
Confine
• Close doors and isolate the area. Prevent people from
entering spill area.
• Establish exhaust ventilation if possible.
• Vent fumes only to outside of building.
• Open windows, if possible without exposing yourself to
fumes.
• If vapors or gases are in a room which is not vented to
outside of building, close off room.
Emergency Procedures: Spill or
Release Response
Secure
• Block off entrances to the spill site and prevent people
from entering the contaminated area.
• Post signs on doors leading to the chemical spill warning
of the spill.
• Tape or rope off stairwells and elevators leading to the
spill and hang signs on the tape. Floor signs are available
in Campus Safety and Biology.
• When chemical vapors or gases are being spread through
a building's air handling system, call Physical Plant, x66444 to have the ventilation system shut off.
• Post staff by commonly used entrances to the spill site, so
they can warn people to use other routes.
• For large outdoor chemical spills, keep people upwind
and uphill from the site.
Emergency Procedures: Spill or
Release Response
Report
• Call Heather Chapman at EHOS 526-8591 or 299-2246
• Alternate: Jennifer Ambrose at 526-6342 or 669-3141
AND call
• Campus Safety at 526-3333 or 3-3333 (campus phones)
Clean Up
• Calvin College Spill Team members will determine if the
Grand Rapids Fire Department Hazmat Team should be
contacted for assistance.
Training Record
• You have completed this
training program.
• Please request a training
verification from EHS:
jambrose@calvin.edu
• Once you receive the
form, fill in your name and
department.
• Sign and date the form.
• Send it to EHS.
• Thank you!