Page 433 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

CAT3525_C12.qxd 1/27/2005 4:11 PM Page 404
404 Waste Management Practices: Municipal, Hazardous, and Industrial
12.4.5 EMERGENCY PREPARATION
Waste-generating facilities must be operated to minimize the possibility of a fire, explosion, or any
release of hazardous wastes to the environment.
All LQG facilities must usually be equipped with the following:
● An internal communications or alarm system
● A telephone or two-way radio for contacting local police and fire departments, or emer-
gency response teams
● Fire extinguishers, fire control equipment (e.g., foam, inert gas, and dry chemicals), spill
control equipment, and decontamination equipment
● A water supply for hoses, foam-producing equipment, or automatic sprinklers

Aisle space at LQG facilities must be maintained to allow the movement of personnel, fire pro-
tection equipment, spill control equipment, and decontamination equipment to any area within the
facility in an emergency (Figure 12.3). The facility must familiarize police, fire departments, and
other emergency response teams with the layout of the facility, the types of hazardous waste han-
dled and associated hazards, places where personnel are working, entrance roads to the facility, and
evacuation routes. It is the generator’s responsibility to familiarize local hospitals with the proper-
ties of the hazardous wastes handled at the facility and the types of injuries that could result from
fire, explosions, or releases. Some hospitals do not have the capability of treating persons exposed
to certain chemical hazards; therefore, the correct hospital and emergency medical service team
must be identified and documented.

12.4.6 EMERGENCY RESPONSE
LQGs are also responsible for preparing a thorough written contingency plan, along with training
employees on hazardous waste management and emergency response. The LQG must have a writ-
ten contingency plan for their facility in the event of an emergency. The plan must be designed to
minimize hazards from fires, explosion, or any release of hazardous wastes.
The contingency plan must include:

● Actions in response to fire, explosion, or release of hazardous waste at the facility
● Arrangements with local police departments, hospitals, and emergency response teams
that provide emergency services

FIGURE 12.3 Aisle space
must be sufficient to allow
the movement of persons
and equipment (Note: this
facility is not in compli-
ance). Photo by Theresa M.
Pichtel.