Mistakes happen. That’s just a fact of life. But when mistakes happen during the packing and transportation of hazardous waste, the consequences can be severe. Non-compliant hazardous material handling can result in injury, property damage, loss of life, public health or environmental impact, and, of course, significant fines and reputation damage for the liable party. Businesses that generate and/or handle hazardous waste in any capacity must be vigilant in their understanding and following of guidelines to mitigate, if not avoid mistakes altogether.
Five of the most common mistakes made in hazardous waste packing and transportation include:
Incorrect or Improper Waste Identification
Avoiding hazardous material packing and handling mistakes starts with properly identifying and determining the waste itself. Before the material waste is even generated, the material must be properly evaluated, identified and determined as a waste holding hazardous properties. Once properly identified and classified, the proper steps can be made for maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations.
Improper Labeling
One such step for compliance is the accurate labeling of hazardous waste containers. Failure to accurately label hazardous waste is a leading factor in hazardous waste packing and transportation and, unsurprisingly, a legal violation with steep financial and regulatory penalties. It is the responsibility of waste generators to accurately mark containers storing hazardous waste and failure to do so is often due to simple human error. A popular and effective solution is to assign specific personnel to handle all labeling and designations.
Container Violations
After improper identification or labeling, improper or compromised containers are the next common mistakes. EPA and state agencies require all hazardous waste containers be properly selected, maintained and to be properly closed and securely fastened when not in use. Open or leaking containers violate the law and pose great risk to public safety and the health of employees. If you are unsure about the approved materials of a container, consult with your manufacturer. The team at Skolnik is always standing by to discuss the compatibility and compliance of our various drums for hazardous waste containment and transportation.
Lack of Training/Education for Employees
The more prepared your personnel the safer your facility. By law, all employees of organizations generating hazardous materials must be fully trained in the proper handling and storage procedures of that material. There are different scales of training required based on personnel role and the facility’s status and material, but annual training is mandatory for generators of large quantities of hazardous materials.
Insufficient protection or emergency response preparedeness
Having a hazardous waste emergency response plan is not only good sense, it is also mandated by both OSHA and the EPA. Organizations must have a plan in place or else face financial penalties. Even so, many organizations make the mistake of adhering to the letter of the law, but not the spirit – they have an emergency strategy, but it isn’t fully up-to-date or clear. Businesses’ whose strategy covers up-to-date facility maps, clear communication, and who regularly practice their emergency responses have the highest success rates in actual scenarios. Furthermore, facilities utilizing proper personal protective equipment are best protected in emergency and everyday situations. (Improper or inadequate PPE can also lead to significant fines from OSHA)
In an ideal world, we would all avoid any hazardous waste emergencies altogether, but the next best thing is to be prepared and protected for when mistakes and emergencies occur. Even the most experienced professionals can make errors during the complex process of hazmat shipping and storage. By understanding the risks of non-compliance and the most common mistakes, hopefully, your team can take steps to avoid them and mitigate the damage if and when they might occur.