Washington State University
SAFETY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

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Storage of Dangerous Chemical Wastes

Storage of dangerous chemical waste is governed by local, state, and federal regulations.

See S70.40 and S70.41 for procedures concerning identifying and reporting chemical waste for collection.

Refer storage questions to Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S); telephone 335-3041.

University laboratories and departments may store chemicals in the following types of locations:

A satellite accumulation area is a location at or near the point of generation where chemical wastes initially accumulate. (WAC 173-303-040) These chemicals are under the control of the individual who is responsible for their generation, e.g., maintenance worker, researcher, instructor, process operator, unit administrator, or their designee.

Any site of waste generation on the WSU campus which is not directly controlled by EH&S or is not identified as a 90-day accumulation area is considered a satellite accumulation area. Laboratories and shops are examples of satellite accumulation areas.

See "Requirements" below for regulatory requirements for satellite accumulation areas.

"90-day accumulation areas" are locations specifically identified by EH&S where wastes may be accumulated for not more than 90 days. After 90 days wastes must be transported to a permitted treatment, storage or disposal facility. (WAC 173-303-200)

Contact EH&S for regulatory requirements for 90-day accumulation areas; telephone 335-3041.

Each laboratory, shop, or departmental building waste accumulation area at WSU is considered by regulatory agencies to be a satellite accumulation area. (WAC 173-303-040)

Personnel storing chemical wastes at satellite accumulation areas must follow these requirements:

Keep the container under control of the operator or in a secured (locked) area.

Close the container during storage, except when adding or removing waste.

Allow waste from only one process per container.

Place wastes in compatible containers.

Mark each container with a label that clearly identifies the chemicals. See S70.40 for labeling requirements.

The maximum volume of any waste that may be stored in a satellite accumulation area is 55 gallons, unless the waste is acutely hazardous.

The maximum volume of acutely hazardous waste that may be stored in a satellite accumulation area is one quart.

See the EH&S Environmental Services web site to view the Acutely Hazardous Waste List. Go to:

http://www.ehs.wsu.edu/hw.htm

When 55 gallons of dangerous waste or one quart of acutely hazardous waste are generated, mark the date on the container label. See S70.41 for definitions of chemical waste types.

Move the container to a 90-day accumulation area within three days.

If these waste volumes remain in a satellite accumulation area for more than three days, the area must meet the more stringent 90-day accumulation area requirements.

EH&S operates the Chemical Storage Building on the Pullman campus as the central 90-day accumulation area. EH&S transports wastes from all Pullman campus accumulation areas to Chemical Stores to be processed and shipped to approved recycling and disposal facilities.

Each branch campus and research facility is to maintain a 90-day accumulation area. Contact EH&S branch campus/research station support personnel for information and assistance; telephone 335-3041.