ALL bottles of chemical waste must have Hazard Form stickers with the start date and contents filled out.
Failing to label a waste bottle. If the contents of the bottle are not listed, the next person to use the bottle could accidentally combine incompatible chemicals causing a fire and explosion. Storing waste in a bottle lacking the words "Hazardous Waste". Only these exact words must be used. "Organic Waste", "Xylene Waste" etc. are unacceptable. If something isn't really waste, don't put the word "waste" on the bottle. Label it "used" etc. Scratching out the former contents of the bottle and writing "Waste" on the bottle. You must remove or totally deface the old label so there is no confusion over the contents. "Waste" is an unacceptable term. -- the words "Hazardous Waste" must appear on the bottle.
Improper Storage of Waste
Storage of waste in a fume hood where reactions are being carried out. If your reaction gets out of control, the waste bottle could explode and lead to a catastrophic fire or mixing of incompatible chemicals. Always remove waste bottles from hoods where reactions are being performed. Using metal cans for waste. Even near neutral pH, solids and liquids can easily corrode through metal cans in a surprisingly short period of time. Use only glass or polyethylene containers for waste. Storing flammable waste containers on a bench or floor. Store your waste containers in a cabinet, preferably an explosion-resistant solvent cabinet. Storing waste bottles in or near a sink or floor drain. This could allow toxic chemicals to enter the sewer, and emit toxic gas or explode.
Failure to Cap Waste Bottles
Leaving the cap off an organic waste bottle. The only time a cap should be off a waste bottle is when you are actually putting waste into it. If you are afraid of a pressure buildup in the bottle, simply cap it loosely. Leaving a funnel in the waste bottle. This is unacceptable. A funnel can too easily be moved to an adjacent (incompatible) waste bottle and result in a fire or explosion. When you are done with it, cap it!
Self-Auditing Checklist For Hazardous Waste Generators ALL hazardous waste containers must comply with ALL of the following requirements at ALL TIMES.
1. Is the container sound? (No cracks, rust or deterioration permitted). 2. Is the container compatible with the waste? (No metal cans, in particular). 3. Are the contents of the container compatible with each other? 4. Is the container properly labeled, including the words Hazardous Waste and a date? 5. Are the contents of the container clearly listed? 6. Is the container closed with a properly fitting cap? (Not left with a funnel inserted.) 7. Is the waste container located in the lab (not in a hallway or storeroom)? 8. Is there less than 55 gallons of waste in the laboratory? (yes) 9. Is the waste located away from floor drains or sinks? (yes) 10. If the container is full, is it being taken to the waste boot for disposal?
WASTE CONTAINERS MUST BE CAPPED AT ALL TIMES
Taking Waste to the Waste boot or Waste Storage Area
1. Bring your waste to the waste area or boot. Make sure that: ALL waste containers MUST have a proper "HAZARDOUS WASTE" label with start date. Here's an example:
ALL contents are listed The bottle or jar has a cap that fits tightly. If liquid, there is at least 1" of room at the top of the container. The outside of the bottle is clean and dry. Incompatible wastes are not mixed. Halogenated wastes are separate from "regular" organic wastes whenever possible (it is much more expensive to get rid of halogenated waste)! The pH is known and listed on the disposal tag (yes, even for organic liquids).
2. Fill out a chemical waste disposal tag. Be sure to:
Complete all the information requested (yes, this includes pH for ANY waste liquid, including organics). Write out chemical names -- no abbreviations and no chemical formulas (i.e. "Ether" instead of "Et2O" and "Dimethylphosphinoethane" instead of "DMPE"). Give the approximate percentage of each waste component
1.Guidelines published by the university of Kentucky, USA. Trinadad and Tobago is about to pass an Act for new legislation on Harzadous waste Occupational Health and Safety in the Workplace.