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Hazardous waste handling

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Toolbox Talk: Hazardous Waste Handling

Date: [DATE] Duration: [DURATION] minutes Presenter: [PRESENTER NAME] Location: [LOCATION]

Objective

The objective of this toolbox talk is to ensure all workers understand the procedures for safely handling hazardous waste, including proper identification, storage, and disposal methods, to prevent exposure and environmental contamination.

Introduction

Hazardous waste poses significant risks to our health and the environment if not managed correctly. This talk will cover the essential practices for handling hazardous waste safely on our work site. [1]

Presenter Note: Engage the audience by asking if anyone has personal experience related to the topic.

Key Points

  • Proper Identification: Correctly identify hazardous waste using labels and safety data sheets (SDS). [1]
  • Safe Handling: Use appropriate techniques to minimize the risk of spills and exposure. [1]
  • Correct Storage: Store hazardous waste in suitable containers and designated areas. [1]
  • Emergency Procedures: Know the steps to take in case of a spill or other emergency. [2]
  • Training: Ensure you are adequately trained in hazardous waste handling procedures. [1]

Hazard Identification

Handling hazardous waste can expose you to various dangers:

  • Chemical Burns: Direct contact with corrosive or reactive wastes can cause severe burns. [2]
  • Inhalation Hazards: Breathing in toxic fumes or dusts can lead to respiratory problems and other health issues. [2]
  • Environmental Contamination: Improper disposal can pollute soil and water sources. [2]

Presenter Note: Encourage participants to share any additional hazards they've encountered.

Control Measures

To minimize the risks associated with hazardous waste, we use the following control measures:

  • Engineering Controls: Use ventilation systems to remove fumes and dusts. [1]
  • Administrative Controls: Implement safe work procedures and provide training on hazardous waste handling. [1]
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear appropriate gloves, eye protection, and respirators when handling hazardous waste. [2]
  • Containment: Use secondary containment to prevent spills from spreading [3]

Safe Work Procedures

  1. Identify the Waste: Check the label and SDS to understand the hazards. [1]
  2. Wear Proper PPE: Ensure you have the correct gloves, eye protection, and respirator. [2]
  3. Handle with Care: Avoid dropping or spilling the waste. [1]
  4. Store Correctly: Place the waste in the designated container in the appropriate storage area. [1]
  5. Dispose Properly: Follow the established disposal procedures for the specific type of waste. [1]

Presenter Note: If possible, demonstrate the safe work procedure or use visual aids.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

  • Gloves: Wear chemical-resistant gloves to protect your hands from contact with hazardous waste. [2]
  • Eye Protection: Use safety glasses or a face shield to prevent splashes from entering your eyes. [2]
  • Respirator: If required, wear a respirator to avoid inhaling harmful fumes or dusts. [2]

[Emphasize the importance of proper PPE use and maintenance]

Real-World Example or Case Study

[Provide a detailed description of a relevant real-world scenario or case study]

[Discuss what went wrong or right, and the lessons learned]

Presenter Note: Ask participants if they can relate this example to their own experiences.

Group Discussion

Discuss the following questions:

  1. What types of hazardous waste do we commonly handle here?
  2. What are some potential spill scenarios, and how can we prevent them?
  3. How do we ensure our PPE is adequate for the task?

Presenter Note: Encourage active participation and facilitate the discussion.

Emergency Procedures

In case of a hazardous waste spill or exposure:

  1. Evacuate: Immediately leave the area if there is a significant spill or release. [2]
  2. Report: Notify your supervisor and the designated emergency contact. [2]
  3. Contain (if safe): If it is safe to do so, contain the spill using absorbent materials. [4]
  4. Decontaminate: Follow established decontamination procedures if you have been exposed. [2]

Questions and Answers

[Encourage participants to ask questions]

[Provide answers to common questions related to the topic]

  • Q: What do I do if I'm not sure if something is hazardous waste?

A: Always err on the side of caution and ask your supervisor or a trained professional.

  • Q: Where can I find the SDS for a particular chemical?

A: SDS are located [state location] and are also available online.

  • Q: How often should I replace my gloves?

A: Replace gloves immediately if they are torn, punctured, or contaminated.

Summary

  • Always identify hazardous waste before handling. [1]
  • Use appropriate PPE to protect yourself. [2]
  • Follow safe work procedures to minimize risks. [1]
  • Know the emergency procedures in case of a spill or exposure. [2]

Action Items

  1. Review the SDS for the hazardous materials you handle. [1]
  2. Inspect your PPE before each use. [2]
  3. Report any concerns or questions to your supervisor. [1]

Remember: Handle hazardous waste with care – protect yourself and the environment!

Report all hazards, near-misses, and incidents to your supervisor immediately.

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4 source record(s)

Sources used for this answer

[1] Rules for the Administration of the Oregon Safe Employment Act (General Occupational Safety and Health, Division 2, OSHA Oregon)

Page 713

Open source document

Source excerpt

Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division Oregon Administrative Rules AO 3-2019 Division 2 - 3. Decontamination. Decontamination procedures should be tailored to the specific hazards of the site, and may vary in complexity and number of steps, depending on the level of hazard and the employee's exposure to the hazard. Decontamination procedures and PPE decontamination methods will vary depending upon the specific substance, since one procedure or method may not work for all substances. Evaluation of decontamination methods and procedures should be performed, as necessary, to assure that employees are not exposed to hazards by reusing PPE. References in Appendix D may be used for guidance in establishing an effective decontamination program. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard's Manual, 'Policy Guidance for Response to Hazardous Chemical Releases,' U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC (COMD TINST M16465.30) is a good reference for establishing an effective decontamination program. - 4. Emergency response plans. States, along with designated districts within the states, will be developing or have developed local emergency response plans. These state and district plans should be utilized in the emergency response plans called for in the standard. Each employer should assure that its emergency response plan is compatible with the local plan. The major reference being used to aid in developing the state and local district plans is the Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning Guide, NRT-1. The current Emergency Response Guidebook from the U.S. Department of Transportation, CMA's CHEMTREC and the Fire Service Emergency Management Handbook may also be used as resources. - Employers involved with treatment, storage, and disposal facilities for hazardous waste, which have the required contingency plan called for by their permit, would not need to duplicate the same planning elements. Those items of the emergency response plan that are properly addressed in t…

[2] Occupational Health and Safety Code

Page 217

Open source document

Source excerpt

395 (2) An employer must ensure that a hazardous product is used, stored, handled or manufactured at a work site in accordance with this Part. - 395 (3) This Part does not apply if the hazardous product is - (a) wood or a product made of wood, - (b) tobacco or a tobacco product governed by the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (Canada), - (c) a hazardous waste, or - (d) a manufactured article. 395 (4) Except for section 407, this Part does not apply if the hazardous product is a dangerous good under the Dangerous Goods Transportation and Handling Act , to the extent that its handling, offering for transport or transport is subject to that Act. 395 (5) Sections 398, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407 and 408 do not apply if the hazardous product is - (a) an explosive governed by the Explosives Act (Canada), - (b) a cosmetic, device, drug or food governed by the Food and Drugs Act (Canada), - (c) a product governed by the Pest Control Products Act (Canada), - (d) a nuclear substance that is radioactive governed by the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (Canada), or - (e) a product, material or substance packaged as a consumer product as defined in section 2 of the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (Canada). ## Hazardous waste 396 If a hazardous product is a hazardous waste generated at the work site, an employer must ensure that it is stored and handled safely using a combination of - (a) an appropriate means of identification, and - (b) instruction of workers on the safe handling of the hazardous waste. ## Training 397 (1) An employer must ensure that a worker who works with or near a hazardous product or performs work involving the manufacture of a hazardous product is trained in - (a) the content required to be on a supplier label and a work site label and the purpose and significance of the information on the label, - (b) the content required to be on a safety data sheet and the purpose and significance of the information on the safety data sheet, - (c) procedures for s…

[3] Rules for the Administration of the Oregon Safe Employment Act (General Occupational Safety and Health, Division 2, OSHA Oregon)

Page 679

Open source document

Source excerpt

Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division Oregon Administrative Rules AO 3-2019 Division 2 - (1) The employer shall develop and implement procedures for the introduction of effective new technologies and equipment developed for the improved protection of employees working with hazardous waste clean-up operations, and the same shall be implemented as part of the site safety and health program to assure that employee protection is being maintained. - (2) New technologies, equipment or control measures available to the industry, such as the use of foams, absorbents, adsorbents, neutralizers, or other means to suppress the level of air contaminates while excavating the site or for spill control, shall be evaluated by employers or their representatives. Such an evaluation shall be done to determine the effectiveness of the new methods, materials, or equipment before implementing their use on a large scale for enhancing employee protection. Information and data from manufacturers or suppliers may be used as part of the employer's evaluation effort. Such evaluations shall be made available to OSHA upon request. - (p) Certain Operations Conducted Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA). Employers conducting operations at treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) facilities specified in paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this section shall provide and implement the programs specified in this paragraph. See the 'Notes and Exceptions' to paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section for employers not covered. - (1) Safety and health program. The employer shall develop and implement a written safety and health program for employees involved in hazardous waste operations that shall be available for inspection by employees, their representatives and OSHA personnel. The program shall be designed to identify, evaluate and control safety and health hazards in their facilities for the purpose of employee protection, to provide for emergency response meeting the requirement…

[4] Rules for the Administration of the Oregon Safe Employment Act (General Occupational Safety and Health, Division 2, OSHA Oregon)

Page 2834

Open source document

Source excerpt

Division 2 AO 3-2019 Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division - (3) When moving containers of contaminated sharps from the area of use, the containers shall be: - (i ) Closed immediately prior to removal or replacement to prevent spillage or protrusion of contents during handling, storage, transport, or shipping; - (ii) Placed in a secondary container if leakage is possible. The second container shall be: - (A) Closable; - (B) Constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage during handling, storage, transport, or shipping; and - (C) Labeled or color-coded according to paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this standard. - (4) Reusable containers shall not be opened, emptied, or cleaned manually or in any other manner which would expose employees to the risk of percutaneous injury. - (B) Other Regulated Waste Containment. - (1) Regulated waste shall be placed in containers which are: - (i) Closable; - (ii) Constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage of fluids during handling, storage, transport or shipping; - (iii) Labeled or color-coded in accordance with paragraph (g)(1)(i) this standard; and - (iv) Closed prior to removal to prevent spillage or protrusion of contents during handling, storage, transport, or shipping. - (2) If outside contamination of the regulated waste container occurs, it shall be placed in a second container. The second container shall be: - (i) Closable; - (ii) Constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage of fluids during handling, storage, transport or shipping; - (iii) Labeled or color-coded in accordance with paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this standard; and

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