Tag: RCRA

State vs. Federal Container Rules

Do states follow the federal requirements for the management of containers used to store or accumulate hazardous waste? Yes. Why? Because they have to. Do some states have container rules that are stricter than the federal rules? Yes. Why? Because they can. Under RCRA, a state’s hazardous waste provisions must be as strict as the […]

GHS or DOT—Which Label Should You Use?

What’s the relationship between labeling under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) labeling requirements? Which label must you use? Can you use both? Today we will help answer these questions, and tomorrow we will offer some placarding tips for shipments of DOT-regulated hazardous […]

RMP—What Happens When You Don’t Follow Your Plan

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been under pressure to update and better manage its Clean Air Act Risk Management Program and is moving ever closer to a proposed rule that will modify the program. The Agency continues to scrutinize facilities that are required to have risk management plans. Today we will review a […]

Safe Work Practices for Handling Medical Waste

When we think of people who handle medical waste, workers at healthcare facilities generally come to mind. However, there is a whole array of other folks, from transporters to landfill staff, who could also potentially be exposed to medical waste. As we are all aware, no matter what precautions we take, there is always the […]

15 Tips for Storing Medical Waste

Hazardous waste pharmaceuticals are all over the EHS news services lately because of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent proposal establishing specific management requirements for healthcare facilities that generate hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. However, hazardous waste pharmaceuticals are a small percentage of the medical waste that is generated in the United States. Today we offer […]

HAZWOPER Records Checkup

One of the most tedious aspects of an EHS manager’s job is to keep track of a host of records. Don’t get caught without the necessary records in the event of an OSHA or EPA inspection. One of the first things inspectors will ask for is records of compliance. Good recordkeeping indicates to them good […]

Dissipating the Hazards of Heavier-than-Air Vapors

On June 30, 2007, workers at a Little General gas station and convenience store in Ghent, West Virginia, were transferring propane from an existing propane tank (that did not meet safety codes) to a new propane tank (that did meet safety codes). During the transfer, the old tank began to leak flammable propane vapor. The […]

The Creeping Hazards of Heavier-than-Air Vapors

Terry Reynolds, a 55-year-old Kansas homeowner, just wanted to relight the pilot light of his propane water heater on August 6, 2009. Unfortunately, the propane tank was leaking heavier-than-air propane gas into the water heater’s enclosure, and instead of lighting the pilot, Reynolds blew his house off its foundation and suffered burns over more than […]

Are You Ready for Your Next RCRA Inspection?

How much do you know about RCRA inspections? By law, the U.S. EPA and other RCRA-authorized agencies can enter your premises, examine records, and take samples if you handle hazardous wastes. Don’t get caught unprepared.

Moving Forward with Reverse Distribution—Retail Hazardous Waste

Are reverse distribution operations moving forward for retailers? If you manage a retail operation, you are confronted with waste and hazardous materials problems that can be confusing for even the most seasoned manager. Today we will look at reverse distribution and how even one of the largest retailers with legal and environmental health and safety […]