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Broken glass is not a regulated waste in California. But if the method to handle broken glass waste at your facility causes glass cuts, then an incident report should be written up each time someone is injured so that a better way to handle broken glass waste can be determined. There aren't too many simple alternatives out there to using a specialized broken glass cardboard box - so there's a reason why broken glass box suppliers can get away with charging a lot for their product [unless of course you want to fashion your own broken glass box by recycling an old Kimwipes case].
Many times employers try to encourage employees to ignore "minor" injuries to save some money on a fix. It's an old trick.
Eric
Eric Clark, MS, CHMM, CCHO
Safety Officer, Public Health Scientist III
Los Angeles County Public Health Laboratory
-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Schreyer, Cecilia
Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2015 8:22 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] broken glass containers
I have found those glass collection boxes excessively expensive also. To reuse them, I line them with trash compactor bags, with the top folded over (under the lid, which holds the bag in place). To collect, I have an open cardboard box or trash can ready, and simply lift the bag by its edges. I've mostly escaped glass cuts with this method.
I'm in California, and I thought we had to treat our broken glass as waste. I'm wondering if we do?
Cecilia
-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of David Roberts
Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2015 8:39 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] broken glass containers
Hi all,
While I recognize that this is not totally relevant to this group, I want to ask people about broken glass and how they handle/manage it. For us - we have performed EPA audits (by EPA lawyers as well as IDEM) and discovered that it does not need to be handled as hazardous waste, and thus can be disposed of in regular trash. However, managing broken glass is mostly an OSHA thing to protect our staff who clean rooms and dispose of regular refuse.
So for us - the way I presently handle it is to have large boxes in labs for disposal of glass. When they fill, I go around, pick them up, and take them to the dumpster - where they are then taken to our local trash transfer station.
With that said - I routinely purchase broken glass boxes (3‰?? high boxes that are clearly labeled - you all know them). Students quickly fill these up with used gloves, kimwipes, pipets, and other random things.
My question is this: Has anybody been successful at having such boxes around and ending up with them filled with only glass? Should I use smaller boxes placed in hoods, or just smaller boxes on bench tops or ?????? I‰??m just looking for options - these boxes are a bit expensive but also they are dangerous. I‰??ve had a few incidents where I‰??ve picked up a full box and a pipet speared through the box right in to my hand. The weight is a bit much - so I‰??m certain to go to bench top ones and ones in hoods.
I was just curious as to what others have found that works. The situation I presently have does not work well - at least not with undergrads.
Thanks
Dave
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