Hazardous waste management is a major challenge for many businesses. From tiny auto shops to major companies, correctly disposing of potentially hazardous trash is critical for employee safety, environmental protection, and regulatory compliance. Without it, there is always the possibility of hazardous spills, poisonous leaks, disease exposure, injury, fire, and catastrophic explosions. That doesn't include the failed inspections or additional company expenses. Here's everything you need to know about why hazardous waste management is critical for your organization.
To appreciate the significance of hazardous waste management, consider the several categories of hazardous waste. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies numerous types of hazardous materials into four main categories. Each category reflects a distinct threat to human health and the environment. From the most common solvents to the most harmful chemical substances, it is critical to understand the consequences of poor management. There are four categories: Corrosive: Acid is the most frequent corrosive substance. This category comprises anything that can chemically degrade tissue or metal.
Ignitable: Ignitable waste is anything that can start a fire under certain conditions. The EPA classifies liquids having flashpoints less than 60 degrees Celsius in this category. Compressed gas and oxidizers are examples.
Reactivity: A substance is deemed reactive if it has the potential to explode or "undergo violent reactions" when exposed to specific conditions.
Toxicity: The EPA defines hazardous waste as toxic if it causes harm when swallowed or absorbed. This includes elements that could make someone sick, as well as those that contaminate groundwater or harm the environment. Toxic and hazardous waste are frequently used interchangeably, but this is not necessarily true. To put it simply, all toxic waste is hazardous, but not all hazardous waste is poisonous.
Impacts of Improper Hazardous Waste Management
Cutting shortcuts in hazardous waste management has negative effects on employees, the environment, and the organization as a whole. Risk exists whenever things are not done by state and federal regulations. First, the company will begin failing inspections during routine visits from official bodies such as the EPA and OSHA. These fines will be expensive, and the company will lose even more money as a result of a tarnished reputation and disturbed work schedule. If this behavior becomes a habit, the company may be forced to close. Those additional expenditures will appear insignificant if poor waste management results in an accident or incident. Spills, fires, injuries, and even fatalities are all possibilities. In 2015, a large explosion occurred at a chemical warehouse in China, killing 173 people. This catastrophe could have been prevented if ignitable substances in the warehouse had been properly kept and disposed of. The company's owner received a suspended death sentence for his negligence.
Hazardous materials can pose a concern without requiring a huge chemical warehouse. Even tiny enterprises are ethically and legally responsible for how they handle potentially hazardous goods. While comprehending and abiding by all regulatory regulations may appear daunting, a skilled and experienced hazardous waste management firm will ensure that your entire business is compliant. Trihaz Solutions provides organizations with a quick and efficient solution for managing hazardous waste. From pickup to transport and disposal, we adhere to strict guidelines to protect our clients, their personnel, and the environment. Contact us immediately for a no-obligation quote.
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