Using and Maintaining Hazardous Waste Containers

Hazardous waste containers are needed when wasteContainers that hold the waste should all be clearly
that is potentially dangerous to people or to theand properly labelled. All hazardous waste has been
environment is being transported or moved, or whencategorised in Europe. This means that a number is
it is being stored indefinitely. The type of containerused to identify the type of waste, its potential
needed for this type of waste depends on the typedanger and how best to handle it in an emergency,
of waste in question.as well as other relevant information. This kind of
For example, hazardous liquids can be contained andinformation should always accompany hazardous
transported in special tankard trucks designed for thewaste containers so that there can be no confusion
purpose. Dedicated storage containers are also usedpossibly leading to regrettable mistakes.
for items such as lead acid batteries, fluorescent tubeAreas that have containers holding the waste should
lighting strips, and racked containers with integralnot be subject to high traffic throughput. If access
sumps can be used for smaller chemical wasteto such areas is restricted as much as possible, the
containers or old paint tins.possibility of accidents is greatly reduced. If only
There are stringent laws and regulations governingtrained and responsible personnel are allowed to
the use of hazardous waste containers and theirhandle containers, and then only if strictly necessary,
transportation. Moving or transporting hazardousthis too will limit the possibility of damage to
waste requires a consignment note. Thecontainers leading to unwanted leaks.
environmental regulator of the area can track theBecause we do not live in a perfect world where
movement of hazardous waste through consignmentthings always happen as they are supposed to, it
notes, thereby knowing its ultimate fate.makes good sense to keep proper spill control
To comply with the regulations governingequipment close by any cordoned off areas that
movements it is necessary too keep all requiredhave hazardous waste containers in them. Personnel
consignment notes for a minimum of at least threeproperly trained in the use of spill control equipment
years.are another essential requirement for any company
If you choose to use a registered waste carrier, orwho is serious about proper management.
one that is legally exempt from registration, then theIt should go without saying that hazardous waste
question of whether or not you have the right wastecontainers must be kept closed and sealed at all
containers is no longer a problem. The waste musttimes. The only exception to this is when waste is
still be accompanied by a proper consignment notebeing added or removed. Hazardous waste by its
and it must be transported to a facility that holds avery nature poses a potential risk to people and to
proper environmental permit in order for the processthe environment. Proper and responsible containment
to stay within the law.can eliminate that risk.