Environmental Training Hazardous Waste

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Environmental Training Hazardous Waste
Please note This training does not substitute
the IMCOM-Europe online training for
Environmental Compliance Officers. It is training
for everybody working with hazardous waste.
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What is Hazardous Waste? Hazardous waste is
waste that poses a risk to human health and/or
the environment. This may include hazardous
material no longer suitable for its original
purpose, expired or contaminated, waste
contaminated with hazardous material or any other
waste displaying hazardous properties.
How to Label Hazardous Waste Containers
Hazardous waste container label (contains the
name of the hazardous waste)
Hazard symbol

Harmful to the environment
Explosive
Harmful to health
Corrosive
Oxidizing
Flammable
Toxic
USAG-M HW/HM Handbook, page 29
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How to Handle Hazardous Waste
Examples of personal protective equipment and
mandatory signs

• Hazardous substances enter the body in different
  ways
• Inhalation
• Swallowing
• Absorption through the skin
• Eye contact
• Physical hazards

3.
1.
Personal protective equipment
1.
2.
Wear respirator!
Wear safety gloves!
3.
4.
4.
Wear face mask!
Wear safety goggles!
Wear ear protection!
Wear safety shoes!
Wear helmet!
USAG-M HW/HM Handbook, page 11
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How to Store Hazardous Waste (1)

• Hazardous waste collection point at the work
  area
• Never mix different waste streams. Always use
  separate containers
• Do not mix, e.g.
• - waste brake fluid, waste hydraulic fluid,
  waste oil/fuel- metal cans and spray cans-
  batteries made of lithium, magnesium,
  nickel-cadmium, mercury, lead acid and dry cell
  batteries
• 2. Seal the lids tightly
• 3. Remove hazardous waste on a daily basis to
  your hazardous waste accumulation point (end of
  day procedure)

Oxidizing
Toxic
Corrosive
Flammable
USAG-M HW/HM Handbook, page 30-33
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How to Store Hazardous Waste (2)

• The hazardous waste accumulation point must be
  labeled with the following signs and appropriate
  hazard signs (see next slide)

Prohibitory signs
Fire, open flame and smoking prohibited
HAZARDOUS WASTE ACCUMULATION POINT SONDERABFALLSAM
MELSTELLE NO SMOKING WITHIN 50 FEET NICHT
RAUCHEN IM UMKREIS VON 15 METER ACCESS FOR
UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL IS FORBIDDEN KEIN ZUTRITT
FÜR UNBEFUGTE
Access for unauthorized personnel prohibited
USAG-M HW/HM Handbook, page 13
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How to Store Hazardous Waste (3)

• You need hazard signs to mark the area where
  hazardous substances are stored
• Storage areas for hazardous waste are e.g.
  hazardous waste accumulation points

Warning!Flammable Substances
Warning!Corrosive Substances
Warning!Oxidizing Substances
Warning!Toxic Substances
Warning!PressurizedGas Bottles
Warning!Explosive Substances
Warning! Explosive Atmosphere
Warning! Substances Harmful to Health or
Irritants
Warning!Battery Hazard
USAG-M HW/HM Handbook, page 12
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How to Store Hazardous Waste (4)

• Hazardous waste accumulation point
• Different waste streams are separated
• and picked up by a hazardous waste contractor

USAG-M HW/HM Handbook, page 31
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How to Store Hazardous Waste (5)

• Water-endangering liquids need secondary
  containment when stored in drums. Double-walled
  tanks can also be used.

Aboveground tanks (double-walled)
suction pipe
ventilation pipe
filling funnel
dip stick
leak detector
foot pedal to open lid
waste fuel
waste anti-freeze
waste oil
Underground tank e.g. for waste oil
Request disposal when tank is 75 full! The leak
detector liquid stays at the same level unless
there is a leak in the first or second wall
USAG-M HW/HM Handbook, page 43
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Consequences of Nonconformance

• When containers are not properly labeled
  hazardous waste could be handled, stored or
  disposed of incorrectly
• Pollution of the environment, risk of fire, and
  health hazard if hazardous waste is released
• Fines for pollution
• Inspection findings

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How to Reduce Hazardous Waste

• Compare the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
  for different chemicals and substitute toxic
  chemicals with non-toxic chemicals
• Buy hazardous material in smaller amounts or
  smaller containers and buy only as much as you
  need
• Submit your expired material to Material
  Laboratory Mannheim (building 52, Coleman
  Barracks, DSN 382-4115/5221) for extension
• Put new material to the back of the hazardous
  material storage area and use older material
  first First In First Out (FIFO rule)
• Avoid generation of hazardous waste, e.g. reuse
  absorbent