INTRODUCTION
The Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) strives for compliance with all chemical, biological and environmental regulations, standards, guidelines and best practices. This includes EPA and ADEM standards regarding Satellite Accumulation Areas (SAAs).
EHS provides a free waste disposal service to all researchers and lab personnel. The process begins when an end user submits a waste disposal request. Following this request, EHS personnel retrieve the stated disposal items from the specified research and/or teaching labs. Then transports these items to the EHS Chemical Storage Facility (CSF). Wastes are then stored according to hazard class for no longer than 90 days.
Request for Chemical Pick-up
Research/Teaching Labs – All hazardous waste requests for research and teaching labs are handled online through the waste disposal request.
All Others – All other areas that need a hazardous waste pickup may utilize the same online method by simply submitting a waste disposal request.
Satellite accumulation containers must be:
In good condition:
- If the container begins to leak the generator must immediately transfer the hazardous waste to a container in good condition that does not leak. TIP: Use secondary containment for liquids
Compatible with the hazardous waste being stored:
- The container may be made of or lined with materials that will not react with, and are otherwise compatible with, the hazardous waste to be accumulated, so that the ability of the container to contain the waste is not impaired.
- Incompatible wastes, or incompatible wastes and materials, must not be placed in the same container.
- Waste must not be placed in an unwashed container that previously held an incompatible waste or material
- A container holding a hazardous waste that is incompatible with any waste or other materials accumulated nearby in other containers must be separated from the other materials or protected from them by any practical means.
Closed during storage except when:
- Adding or removing or consolidating waste
- Temporary venting of a container is necessary
- To prevent dangerous situation such as build-up of extreme pressure
- For proper operation of equipment
Contain a UA hazardous waste label that identify:
- The contents of the containers (full chemical names only/no chemical symbols or molecular formulae)
- The primary hazard (corrosive, oxidizer, etc.)
- The approximate percentages of each component totaling 100%
Date:
- When a container meets one of the following criteria mark that date on the container:
- No longer in use and disposal ready
- Full or exceeds 55 gallons of non-acute hazardous waste and/or 1 qt. of liquid or 1 kg of solid acute hazardous waste
Submit a waste disposal request as soon as the above mentioned criteria are met
- This hazardous waste MUST be removed within three days (72 hours)
The Department of Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for the management of hazardous waste generated by The University.
Once a waste disposal request is submitted EHS retrieves the hazardous waste and transports the waste to the Central Storage Facility (CSF). The container is processed and a final waste determination made. The University of Alabama is a large quantity generator and may store hazardous wastes in the CSF for 90 days. At the end of the 90 days, hazardous wastes are removed and disposed of by a permitted waste management company.
Unknown Material
EHS is unable to accept and store unknown chemicals. If unknown chemicals are discovered in your area, attach a hazardous waste label including any and all generator knowledge.
For more information regarding chemical management or disposal contact EHS at 348-5905.
Training
All personnel and students, who work in a lab with chemicals, make waste determinations or are responsible for the oversight of an SAA must complete SAA training. Please submit and online request. Once received the SAA training will be assigned to your academy account.