From: Margaret Rakas <mrakas**At_Symbol_Here**SMITH.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Waste Handling
Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2020 11:10:12 -0500
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID: CAAszpkwL=QZq+kg1CtXhKxmC+BL9Tcc4oHomMk_ooXFbPcsdOg**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com
In-Reply-To


I went to the TCEQ website and while they have a definition of who needs a TCEQ # ("Am I Regulated" ), a waste designation matrix (waste designation matrix) and a PDF that helps classify waste according to TX codes (which are beyond my comprehension),( Guidelines TX hazwaste classifications), I can't find anything comparable to what my state has as 'job aids' for a small quantity generator (which we are) that discusses required recordkeeping and storage requirements, both in SAA and MAA locations. You may want to look closer at the Guidelines than I had time for...

Your chemical waste disposal company may offer a daylong course which would discuss this--generally the fee is a few hundred dollars, which might be considered a stretch short-term, but could be well worth the time and money in terms of safety and compliance. Their representative may have a document on proper storage from the TCEQ. When I started this position, I would call the EHS department at a college or university in my state and ask to speak with someone who handled hazardous waste (identifying myself as someone relatively new in hands-on waste disposal at my college). You might even look at another (perhaps financially well-endowed) Texas college's website to see what their practices are (it might be important to check out a private college if you're private--not sure of TX regulations).

You can also ask your Emergency Coordinator to help you understand the regulations or 'best practices' which are driving her request. If she could share her printed resources with you, that could help you plan better and purchase the appropriate containers.

I agree with those who say your institution needs a Chemical Hygiene Officer and so on, but I have also worked for less-than-understanding managers who were stingy with financial resources and understand you are looking for fairly quick assistance with this particular problem. These are the ways I would try, so I hope something works for you.

good luck, and let us know how this plays out-
Margaret



On Wed, Feb 12, 2020 at 8:50 PM Pam Auburn <aubu**At_Symbol_Here**hotmail.com> wrote:
All

Can some one lead me to resources on how waste is collected and handled in teaching labs. There is some debate going on at my school. We do not have a chemical hygiene officer. Chemical waste falls under the Emergency Response Manager. She did not like our use of carboys with safety funnels, (labeled separated into aqueous, acid, organic and halogenated organic) in hoods and asked that we keep waste in closed containers in the cabinets beneath the hoods. I can see problems with this but do not know where to go for authoritative background.

Thanks

Pamela Auburn, PhD
2041 Branard
Houston TX 77098
--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas


--
Margaret A. Rakas, Ph.D.
Lab Safety & Compliance Director
Clark Science Center
413-585-3877 (p)

--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas

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