Hazardous Materials
This office is responsible for the correct disposal of hazardous waste as covered by State and Federal Laws. Materials can be defined as anything that is flammable, corrosive, reactive or toxic. Once a material is deemed no longer useful and is ready for disposal it is necessary to consider whether it can be safely and legally put in a dumpster for landfill purposes, poured down the drain or set aside as a hazardous waste for special disposal. Campus employees have a responsibility to manage their wastes appropriately not only because of the desire to protect our natural resources but also because of legal restrictions which control disposal. This guide is intended to provide you with the information you need to dispose of waste materials properly. If you are unsure of correct disposal methods or have additional questions please call the Safety and Risk Manager at ext. 2258.
On this page:
- Pickup Request
- Reporting a Spill
- Spill Emergency Procedures
- Minimize Waste
- Possible Contamination
- State Contract for Pickup of Hazardous Waste
Pickup Request
If you are generating a waste that can neither be sewered or landfilled, you are generating a hazardous waste. Satellite accumulation is a regulatory term that refers to hazardous waste being collected by, and kept under the control of the person who generates it. Therefore, if you are generating and collecting hazardous waste you must adhere to the following satellite accumulation requirements until the waste is transferred to the Campus hazardous waste disposal facility:
Clearly label waste containers and identify hazardous constituents as they are added to the container (e.g. "hazardous waste organic solvents, contains toluene and xylene"). Appropriate labels can be obtained from the Safety and Risk Manager.
Use only containers that are in good condition and made of, or lined with, a material that will not react with, or be incompatible with, the waste being stored.
Keep the waste containers closed at all time, except when adding or removing waste; open funnels sitting in the opening of a waste container is considered an open container by regulatory agencies.
Handle and store waste containers properly to prevent rupture or leakage.
Do not mix hazardous waste with non-hazardous waste. Do not mix incompatible wastes.
Know what is required of you by your Campus emergency response plan should a spill occur; keep suitable spill control equipment on hand and keep emergency phone numbers posted in your lab or work area
Reporting a Spill
To report a hazardous waste spill, report immediately to the Menomonie Fire Department (9-911) and then to the Department of Safety and Risk Management Services (x2258 or x1793).
During non-business hours (before 8:00 am and after 4:30 pm Monday - Friday and also on weekends and holidays) please call x2222 to have a university police officer contacted.
Spill Emergency Procedures
Personnel on site should be vacated from the affected area at once. Seal off the contaminated area to prevent further contamination until the arrival of trained responders.
Minimize Your Waste
The EPA has broad powers to enforce waste minimization based on the Hazardous Solid Waste Amendments of 1984. As a small quantity generator, the campus certifies they have made a good faith effort to minimize waste generation each time a manifest is signed.
It is important that all persons and departments generating hazardous waste consider how they can contribute to the waste minimization effort. The goal is to either prevent the formation or production of pollutants at the source or reduce the amount of hazardous waste that is generated.
Basic waste minimization options include:
Waste stream segregation
Good housekeeping
Inventory control/ordering chemicals in smaller containers
Material substitution
Using smaller scale
Modifying specific experiments
If you have (or will be doing) any of the above please contact Dean Sankey so this information can be used to document campus commitment to waste minimization.
What do I do with?
Possible contamination
Persons who may be contaminated by a spill/release are to:
Seek medical attention immediately.
Avoid contact with others.
Alert responders/emergency personnel of injury.