WASTE SCREENING EQUIPMENT & FACILITIES HANDLING UNACCEPTABLE WASTE Idaho Solid Waste Association Training March 19, 2015 Dean Ehlert Idaho DEQ
Lesson Objectives Techniques for preparing a waste screening area Examples of personal protection equipment associated with waste screening Examples of tools and equipment that may be used during waste screening activities
Waste Screening Area Separate area away from the working face or other areas where incoming loads are being deposited. Large enough to accommodate largest anticipated load and spread waste out to adequately observe all waste. System/structures in place to contain liquids in loads.
Temporary vs Permanent Temporary Permanent Can be easily moved as working face moves. Unacceptable waste may contaminate soil in area and become a waste issue. Mixture of unacceptable waste and precipitation. Muddy conditions during inclement weather. Can t be moved. Easier to clean up unacceptable waste. Easier to contain precipitation that contacts waste. Walls & roof can be installed further limiting impacts during inclement weather.
Transfer Station Waste Screening Area Landfill Waste Screening Area
Personnel Protection Equipment (PPE) Eye protection Chemical resistant boots (hard-toed shoes w/covers Chemical resistant or impervious gloves Bright colored jacket or vest Hard hat Disposable or washable liquid repellent coveralls Respiratory protection as indicated
Other Examples of PPE Tyvek Coveralls Full Face Respirator/Self- Contained Breathing Apparatus
PPE Training The Waste Screening Technician and/or Supervisor needs to be trained on the proper selection of protective clothing and equipment. The choices available vary widely in both priced and design. The selection of PPE should be based on the particular job function.
Facility Equipment Shovel and/or rake. Trowel or large spoon for sampling. Waterproof tarp. Laboratory certified clean sample jars. Sample Labels. Bright-colored flags for sample location. Pocket tape recorder/waterproof notepad. Camera. Screening forms/chain of Custody Forms. Communication Equipment Loader or other equipment to transport waste
Waste Screening Platform/Cameras
Hazardous Waste Issues Segregating the material from the waste. Protecting the material from the elements. Preventing unauthorized personnel from exposure. Legal issues concerning responsibilities and costs with the material. Worker safety issues.
Advance Equipment Explosive Meter Volatile Gas Detection Meter Hazardous Materials Identification Kit Qualitative Sample Analysis Kits ph Meter Paint Filter Test Kit
Examples of HW Detection Equipment
Field Identification of Suspicious Materials Combustibility Methane or Total gas meter Organics Organic Vapor Analyzer Corrosivity ph meter or litmus paper PCBs Immunoassay Test Kits
Field Identification of Suspicious Materials Reactive Wastes No field tests available, may require laboratory analysis. Other materials that require special test kits or instrumentation: Radiation Asbestos Mercury Lead
Hazardous Categorization (HAZCAT) Kit
HAZCAT Example Test Physical appearance of the sample; color, phases, etc. ph Solubility ph<7 check for oxidizer ph>7 check for sulfides & cyanides Flammability Chlorinated Hydrocarbons PCBs Notes Use water as reference Liquids Heat, bubbles, or vapor indicates water reactivity Does not apply to sodium hypochlorite Done in two separate steps Beilstein analysis Kits screen for presence of PCBs
Field Identification of Suspicious Materials Containers Is it empty? Never assume that the material in the container matches the indicated contents. Special Items Items such as leaky Pb-acid batteries, transformers, and fluorescent light fixtures may be rejected without testing, but a clear policy must be maintained in the Waste Screening Program Plan.
Paint Filter Test Determines whether a substance has free liquids. Specific process for performing the paint filter test is in Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, SW-846, Test Method 9095B.
Paint Filter Test
Waste Screening Equipment & Facility Summary Designated area for load checking is needed and requires some construction/preparation. Proper need for and training in the use of PPE is necessary as part of a waste screening program. Equipment to manipulate and test wastes are needed to safely handle waste during screening and identify properties of the waste.
HANDLING UNACCEPTABLE WASTES
Objectives Learn: Facility response to acceptable/unacceptable waste. When to notify regulatory agencies. How to manage and temporarily store hazardous/prohibited materials.
Introduction At this point waste that is evaluated as part of an inspection can be considered: Acceptable for landfilling. Unacceptable as either regulated or prohibited. Unknown pending further testing.
Acceptable Waste Acceptable Waste can be removed from the screening area for disposal.
Unknown Waste Unknown wastes and prohibited wastes need to be pulled aside and stored to await further testing or proper disposal.
Unacceptable Wastes The goal of waste screening is to develop a program that will exclude unacceptable wastes. The success of a screening program depends on the program s design and implementation, as well as compliance of generators with regulations.
Facility Response Regulated Hazardous Waste and PCBs The owner or operator must assume that all hazardous waste delivered to the facility is regulated.
Facility Response Subtitle D regulations are very specific about the actions to be taken if regulated wastes or PCBs are found. Facility must notify the regulating agency. Regulating agencies often have the resources to search out facilities that are improperly disposing regulated waste. However, the MSW facility will most likely be responsible for storing these wastes until the matter is resolved.
Managing Regulated Waste Other wastes that are not covered under RCRA but have special handling requirements: Radioactive Wastes Asbestos Unrinsed Pesticide Containers Liquids Biomedical Wastes
Managing Regulated Wastes The hauler and the MSW facility must work together to identify the generator. Typically, the hauler is familiar with facilities they service and can help identify potential sources of regulated waste. If the hauler refuses to cooperate: Return the waste to the hauler. Charge the hauler for the cost of disposal.
Legal Issues When the facility takes responsibility of unacceptable waste, they are considered responsible for its proper disposal. Legal matters will most likely concern the collection of money from the generator.
Selection of a Hazardous Waste Disposal Company Selecting a disposal company to properly handle the unacceptable waste is probably one of the most important tasks of waste screening. You will need to select and contract a responsible, licensed hazardous waste disposal company to remove and properly treat the waste. There are several considerations to evaluate when selecting a company.
Selection of a Hazardous Waste Disposal Company The first step in removing unacceptable waste from a facility will begin with the transporter who will be transporting the waste to the Treatment, Storage, and/or Disposal Facility. The following are things to look for from a transporter EPA Identification Number. Proper manifesting and all manifest documentation leaves the site with the waste. Properly trained and licensed in DOT requirements for transporting waste.
Selection of a Hazardous Waste Disposal Company The TSD Facility Things to Evaluate Current EPA permit for operation and permit to take your particular waste? Any outstanding violations in conjunction with their disposal practices? Will they provide all manifest and tracking documentation, and certification of final waste disposal? Are they current on all required reporting to the state and/or EPA?
Selection of a Hazardous Waste Disposal Company Be sure to maintain all manifesting and disposal documentation on file. It may be requested years down the road.
Managing Other Prohibited Wastes Tires CRTs/Computers/Electronics Waste oil Appliances Paint Alternative management options exist including recycling opportunities. Investigate what is available or return to hauler.
Temporary Storage of Unacceptable Waste Unacceptable wastes that have been separated need to be stored in a safe, temporary storage location. Storage area should: Have secondary containment Located in a secure location Have separate areas for different types of waste Proper ventilation Safety & emergency response equipment available
Waste Storage
Temporary Storage of Unacceptable Waste Waste should not be stored on site for more than 90 days.
Waste Spill Procedures In the event that a hazardous waste is spilled at the solid waste management facility, emergency spill response procedures need to be initiated by trained personnel.
Decontamination of Exposed Personnel If personnel make contact with unacceptable wastes, establish a decontamination plan. Personnel should move to the decontamination area where protective clothing can be removed and disposed of properly. Decontamination area needs to be adjacent to the screening area so as not to track waste over clean areas.
Summary Personnel should understand how to handle acceptable, unacceptable, and unknown wastes. Regulatory notification is an important step following hazardous waste identification and must be understood by personnel. Temporary storage areas need to be designed to mitigate hazards associated with screened wastes.