Safety Alerts

Bags of wipes/gloves in the hood areas and on counter tops have been observed with no identification written on them. There is no way for other workers to know if the contents are hazardous waste or non-hazardous trash. Improper mixing of wastes could occur. Follow these protocols for non-hazardous waste disposal.

Flammable or ignitable wastes may not be accumulated in plastic containers of any type other than a listed and approved flammable waste safety can. Approved, reusable safety cans are available from the Waste Management Group in 5-, 2.5-, and 1-gallon capacities by request. Learn more about flammable waste containers.

Aqueous and corrosive hazardous wastes should be collected in a separate plastic or polyethylene container. Do not use the red flammable solvent waste collection cans (flam can) for collection of aqueous/corrosive wastes. For more details click here: Aqueous/Corrosive Hazardous Waste Collection

There have been several recent instances where the red flammable waste collection cans are being used for collection of flammable wastes, but no Waste Accumulation Log was in use. As a result, it was not clear what had been added to the flam-can during the waste accumulation period. Learn more about waste accumulation log procedures.

During quarterly Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA) inspections, we occasionally find multiple containers combined into a larger outer container (baggie) with a single hazardous waste label affixed. If you have multiple containers of the same waste stream, each of a 60 ml size or greater, they each must be packaged and labeled separately. Smaller containers of the same waste stream (<60 mL) can be grouped together in a larger outer container and labeled as a unit. 

Click here to open the Safety Alert:   Multiple Hazardous Waste Containers Safety Alert