| If you're in the auto repair or dismantling business and | | | | sensible solution, in all actuality it's not as simple as it |
| haven't been paying too much attention to how you | | | | seems. This is because how and where airbags can |
| handle and dispose of airbag components, then now | | | | be activated at a business is also beginning to fall |
| is a good time to start because changes are on the | | | | under regulation. Even OSHA is beginning to play |
| way. The problem is that the technology simply got | | | | catch up on how workers should be safely setting |
| ahead of regulatory agencies but take note that | | | | off these explosive devices. Remember that they |
| they are all catching up quickly. | | | | are a powerful explosive device. |
| The problem is that airbags are both an explosive | | | | Should they be required to undergo some type of |
| device and hazardous waste all wrapped up into one | | | | training and if so what should that training be. Then |
| package. It's the chemical that's inside of the airbags | | | | there are the onsite storage issues that have to be |
| that's the problem. It's a known carcinogen that also | | | | taken into account. Right now you are free to store |
| explodes when activated and the problem is only | | | | them how and where you please but you can bet |
| going to get worse as airbags become mandatory | | | | that is going to change. If you have a safe and |
| and find their way into more areas of a vehicle. | | | | secure location, just how safe and secure is it and |
| Most of the confusion surrounding the handling and | | | | what about worker safety and your own liability? |
| disposal of used Airbags is in the US where that EPA | | | | So it's no small surprise that out of all this cloud of |
| has decided to completely sidestep the issue all | | | | confusion and post regulatory anxiety has emerged a |
| together and let states and local governments handle | | | | solution in the form of airbag disposal services that |
| the regulation of these devices. The result is that | | | | simply come and pick them up at your business and |
| there is no one set standard nationwide, so rules can | | | | take the whole mess off your hands. Not only does |
| and do vary from state to state. Also in some areas, | | | | it take away the problem of the airbags themselves |
| local municipalities are weighing in with their own | | | | but also the hassle of monitoring state and local |
| regulations. | | | | regulations to remain compliant. |
| Most all states do agree however, that an airbag | | | | You see, through it all the Department of |
| once deployed is no longer hazardous waste. This is | | | | Transportation does consider un-deployed airbags to |
| because once it's set off, the chemical contained in it | | | | be hazardous material, which means that they have |
| is neutralized and of course at the same time it is | | | | to be handled just the same as any other hazardous |
| also rendered non explosive. This in turn has led many | | | | waste. Needless to say, with the spector of a hefty |
| businesses to simply activate their airbags on site, | | | | fine from the DOT to contend with, it just makes |
| thus rendering them acceptable by local landfills. | | | | even more sense to let a professional service handle |
| While on the surface this does sound like a perfectly | | | | the whole mess. |