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Have you ever found a "mystery" item in the back of the refrigerator? Did you risk opening it or just pitch it without trying to identify the contents? Refrigerator "mysteries" can be inconvenient and smelly, but dangerous waste "mysteries" are expensive and could be life threatening. That's why proper labeling is so important.
All dangerous waste must be labeled with three things:
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The words "dangerous waste" or "hazardous waste." The labels do not have to
be any particular color or format, but they must be easy to read. Labels on
tanks must be readable from 50 feet away.
The major risks of the waste. Will it explode? Is it corrosive (eats away skin, metal, etc.)? Is it ignitable (catches fire easily)? These are the diamond-shaped labels with little pictures, also known as "risk" or "hazard class" labels. They help anyone who handles the waste know how to protect themselves, whether they are the first or the last person to deal with the container. |
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The date that waste was first put into the container, also known as the "accumulation start date."
If the container is in a satellite accumulation area, however, the date will be when the amount reaches 55 gallons. For acutely hazardous waste in a satellite accumulation area, the date will be when the amount reaches one quart.
Free printable labels are available on the Ecology Web site at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/hwtr/hw_labels/index.html. For more information, contact the dangerous waste inspector and technical assistance staff at your nearest Ecology regional office.
You need additional labeling when sending your dangerous waste off-site. The U.S. Department of Transportation is in charge of labeling for transport. You can find information on their Web site at: www.phmsa.dot.gov.
(Look in the next issue of Shoptalk for more on labeling - like the difference between "spent" and "used.")
