The Hazardous Waste Disposal Best Practices

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The Top 11 Hazardous Waste Disposal Best Practices

Hazardous waste disposal is an integral part of any business. Therefore, it’s crucial to know how to get rid of these materials properly so they don’t become a health hazard or harm people or the environment. Having a hazardous waste management plan ensures all safety guidelines and Australian Government regulations are followed. Here are some best practices for hazardous waste disposal.

You can take a few simple steps to ensure that your hazardous waste is disposed of properly. First, ensure you educate, identify, label, and have a clear emergency plan. Segregate dangerous waste from regular garbage to prevent accidental contamination. Finally, when disposing of hazardous waste, follow all instructions on the labels. Taking these precautions can help protect yourself and the environment from the dangers of hazardous waste.

We sat down with Blane Mitchell from Pro Skip Bins Brisbane www.proskipbinsbrisbane.com.au as he shared some best practices for disposing of hazardous waste safely and responsibly. Keep reading to learn more!

  1. Educate

Hazardous materials are poisonous, flammable, and corrosive industrial waste. They can be found in many everyday household products, such as cleaners, batteries, and pesticides. Hazardous wastes can also be in the form of liquids, solids, and gases. If disposed of improperly, hazardous materials can pollute the air, water, and soil and cause serious health problems for people and animals. Therefore, educating yourself on the best ways to identify disposal methods is essential.

  1. Labels

Hazardous wastes are classified as dangerous by local, state, or federal environmental regulations. This includes chemicals and cleaners to light bulbs and batteries. This helps waste management professionals properly handle the material and ensure it does not risk human health or the environment. In addition, labeling hazardous waste containers help to prevent accidental exposure to dangerous materials. Therefore, anyone who handles hazardous waste should ensure that the containers are appropriately labeled.

  1. Hazardous Waste Determinations

Hazardous waste can be defined as any toxic substance harmful to human health or the environment. Hazardous wastes include radioactive waste, toxic chemicals, and medical waste. There are several ways to determine if a substance is hazardous, such as testing for toxicity or flammability.

  1. Hazardous Waste Manifests

A uniform hazardous waste manifest must be completed and signed. The purpose of the manifest system is to ensure that hazardous waste is managed correctly from beginning to end. To track hazardous waste streams adequately, a uniform hazardous waste manifest must accompany all of the hazardous waste removed from the facility. In addition, the manifest helps emergency responders to identify and respond to incidents quickly and effectively.

  1. Expired Products

Expired products pose severe health and environmental hazard. Therefore, it is essential to properly dispose of expired products to avoid potential accidents. The best way to dispose of hazardous waste is to take it to an approved Government hazardous waste disposal site. This ensures that the hazardous waste does not end up in landfills or the environment where it could harm people or animals.

  1. Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan

Contingency plans include provisions for spill clean-up and containment procedures. The type of plan required for a business depends on the hazardous waste generator status. The role of hazardous waste generators is to classify all waste generated by a facility. Failure to develop and notify the proper authorities is a violation of hazardous waste laws. The contingency plan should also have a list of emergency contact numbers for hazardous waste removal and disposal. In the event of a leak or spill, the first step is to immediately notify the proper authorities.

  1. Training

Training should include storage, labeling, transportation, and disposal techniques. If not handled properly, hazardous waste can pose a severe health and safety risk to your employees and customers. By providing proper training, you can help ensure that your staff knows how to handle and dispose of waste safely. In addition, you should provide regular refresher courses to keep your employees up-to-date on the latest regulations. By investing in proper training, you can help to protect your business from potential liabilities.

  1. Storage

If not properly stored, hazardous materials can leak and contaminate soil and water, causing severe health problems. Hazardous waste generators are responsible for regular inspections of all storage areas. Storage areas should be dry, well-ventilated, and away from heat sources. In addition, tightly close the container lids and apply the correct labels. By taking these simple precautions, we can help to protect both the environment and human health.

  1. Mercury

Many everyday household items contain mercury, which can cause mercury contamination.  Some examples of mercury products include thermostats, fluorescent light bulbs, and thermometers. One way to properly dispose of these items is to take them to a local hazardous waste facility for recycling. By disposing of mercury containing products properly, we can help protect ourselves and the environment from this harmful substance.

  1. Inspections

Trained and certified Hazardous waste generators should routinely inspect chemical storage areas. The Hazardous waste generator will also check for adequate ventilation, lighting, and drainage. After the inspection, the waste generator will provide a report detailing any findings.

  1. Disposal

Proper disposal of hazardous waste is essential because it prevents industrial waste from contaminating air, water, and soil. It also protects people from coming into contact with hazardous materials that could make them sick or injured. Solid waste disposal is treating, managing, and disposing of hazardous waste safely and environmentally soundly.  Check with your local municipality or waste management company to find your nearest waste facility.

Conclusion

Hazardous waste disposal best practices are essential to ensure the safety of employees and the public. Businesses can avoid costly fines and penalties by educating staff on proper product labeling, filling out manifests correctly, having a contingency plan in place, and using approved disposal methods. Make sure your business follows these safety standards by implementing them today.

Guide To DIY Asbestos Removal

DIY Asbestos Removal Procedures

In Australia most states will allow the removal of up to 10 squares of asbestos containing material without a licence. In this guide, we will explore the steps for DIY asbestos removal and recommended safety precautions you should take. Remember asbestos is very dangerous once it is airborne so you should always take extreme care when handling asbestos materials. In a recent interview with Jack Newman from Pro Asbestos Removal Sydney , he said “while it is legal to remove small amounts of asbestos yourself, it’s still very dangerous if you don’t take all the required safety procedures. Make sure you purchase all the safety gear and equipment before you start any asbestos removal project”.

Visit Pro Asbestos Removal Sydney

What is Asbestos?

This term refers to certain naturally occurring minerals that there are six types of which are known. The big issue with asbestos is that it is made up of fibers which are resistant to heat and many chemicals that you may subject it to.

Also, it has been known to cause cancer, in people who have been subjected to it. Known as mesothelioma where it affects the lungs particularly the lining. In this guide to DIY asbestos removal, you will find what you need for your protection.

Characteristics and Risk

Asbestos is usually odorless and has not taste which means that you can ingest it unknowingly, which is what makes it imperative that you locate and completely destroy it. Lung cancer and asbestosis are just two of the things that you risk getting when you have been exposed to this miracle mineral.

Places That You Can Find Asbestos

There are many places that you can find asbestos as it has been used to make so many appliances that you will find in the house. You will also need to make sure that you know where to look for asbestos deposits so that you can get all of it when you are cleaning. Here are some of the spots that you will need to look at.

  • Floor tiles that are old
  • Roofing shingles
  • Sheetrock seams
  • Plumbing seams
  • Insulation material which is fire proofing (boilers, sheets and ducts etc.)
  • Ceiling tiles
  • Vermiculite attic insulation

DIY asbestos removal guide

How it Gets Distributed

The thing about the asbestos that is released here is that it will disintegrate and form a dust that when inhaled over time will cause you to develop lung cancer and other health problems that come with having it in your system. The asbestos is also found in old plumbing pipes and the fibers that it is made up of can be swept up into drinking water that you have in your home. The vets and fans also contribute to the spread greatly.

Asbestos Regulation in Australia

The asbestos regulation in Australia is governed in all states by the statutes and codes of practice that are set up by the government. These rules and regulations are found on the Australian Government’s Asbestos Safety website.

  • The work, health and safety legislation -This one regulates and manages the control and removal of the asbestos that is found in the workplace which is also inclusive of all residences that are workplace when there is a contract that allows a contractor to work in removing the asbestos.

 

  • Public health legislation – this one is applied to the asbestos related activities that will or may be carried in and or around non-workplace settings.

Steps for the Removal of Asbestos

We have included the major steps in this guide to DIY asbestos removal to help do this right. You will need to follow all of them to make sure that you do not miss anything.

Step 1: Safety Gear

Safety gear is very important seeing as you will be dealing with potential dust made of asbestos and exposure to fibers that are small and easily penetrate your skin and enter exposed orifices like your eyes and mouth and also wounds.

  • Disposable rubber gloves and disposable overalls
  • Safety goggles for the eyes
  • Rubber boots
  • Isolation material for the area to clean.

Step 2: Removal Process

Before you follow this guide to DIY asbestos removal, be sure that you can or get a pro. The

steps to follow are these:

  • Wet cleaning – this means that you mope the area that you think has asbestos and discard the rags after use. While on rooftops, consider other methods as this may cause slipperiness.
  • Vacuum – use High Efficiency Particulate Air vacuums that are specially made for this. They will

pick up very tiny particles including the dangerous asbestos.

  • Steam Cleaning – this is for carpets that have been exposed to this substance. The heat and the

specially made steam machines will help get all the asbestos out.

Step 3: Cleanup and Disposal

When you have finished cleaning, you will need to wrap asbestos material and prepare it so its ready to be picked up and dropped off to an approved Government waste facility. For pick up and disposal contact a licensed asbestos removalist in your area.

Asbestos disposal facilities will be found where you can drop them off. As you have seen in this guide to DIY asbestos removal, this is a hazardous substance that needs to be avoided.

Australian Asbestos Licensing Regulations

Asbestos is categorised as a hazardous substance. As a result, people who work with asbestos must have sufficient training on how to safely handle as well as transport the material.
It is a prerequisite in Australia to have a licence in order to handle or remove any material that has asbestos. It therefore means that a licence holder and the workforce covered by the licence are the only one permitted to work with asbestos.

Australian Asbestos Licensing Regulations
In Australia, there are two types of licence that an asbestos’ remover can apply for. The licences include:

Unrestricted asbestos removal licence

The licence permits the removal of all forms of asbestos including the friable and non – friable asbestos.

Restricted asbestos removal licence

The licence allows the removal of asbestos in amounts that exceed 10 square meters of non-friable or bounded asbestos.

However, it is possible to remove asbestos in amounts that do not exceed 10 square meters without necessarily having a licence. Such removal of asbestos without a licence is governed by 10sq m rule. Besides, asbestos removed under this condition should be in bounded or non-friable form.

Asbestos Removal Regulations in Australia

Every state and territory in Australia has different regulations governing the safe removal of asbestos containing material.
The regulations that govern the removal of asbestos in each state are featured below.

1. New South Wale

You can obtain a licence through WorkCover, a body mandated to regulate asbestos licensing in New South Wale. The licence that you can obtain within this state include

  • Class A licence

The licence permits the holder to remove all forms of asbestos including friable and non-friable asbestos.

  • Class B licence

The licence holder can remove more than 10 square meters of bonded asbestos containing material.
Besides, an individual can remove asbestos without a licence in an area that does not exceed 10 square meters in New South Wale. However, you need to have sufficient training on how to handle asbestos containing material.

All the information and application procedure of asbestos licencing within this state can be obtained from Safework NSW.

2. SA

The licencing of asbestos removal is done by SafeWork SA. You may not require to get a licence when removing:

  • Insulating material primarily for maintenance work in an area not more than 0.5 meter square.
  • Non-friable asbestos in an area that do not exceed 10 meter square.

However you will need limited licence in order to remove non-friable asbestos and unlimited licence to carry out the removal of all forms of asbestos containing material.

3. Tasmania

The asbestos removal licence is regulated by Workplace Standards Tasmania. You can remove asbestos without a licence when:

  • A person needs to remove less than 100 meter square of asbestos-cement from a class 1a or a class 10 building.
  • Removal of 20 meter square of asbestos-cement in a building that is not classified as class 10 or class 1a building
  • Removing full glove bag of bounded or non-friable asbestos containing material.
    You will require class B licence in order to remove non-friable asbestos, and a class A licence for all forms of asbestos removal. All licence holder must notify the Workplace Standards Tasmania 5 days prior to commencing any asbestos removal.

4. Victoria

A licence can be obtained from the Victorian Government. In a circumstance that a person needs to remove asbestos in an area not exceeding 10 square meters of non-friable asbestos, you are not required to apply for a licence. However the work undertaken by one person should not exceed 1person hour within a period of 7 days.

You will be required to apply for:

  • Class A licence

For removal of asbestos containing material that are either bounded or unbounded.

  • Class B licence

For removal of non – friable asbestos in an area that exceeds 10 meter square.
A licence holder must notify the licencing body at least 5 days before commencing any asbestos removal work while the less than 10 square meter removal requires at least a 24 hour notification.

5. Western Australia

The Department of Commerce is mandated to issue asbestos removal licence in Western Australia. You are required to have restricted licence in order to remove non-friable asbestos while unrestricted licence is required in order to be in a position to remove all forms of asbestos.

It is not a requirement to have a licence when you are removing asbestos containing material in an area that does not exceed 10 square meters. Besides, a licence holder should notify WorkSafe Western Australia as practically as possible before undertaking any work in regards to asbestos removal.

6. QLD

There are two types of asbestos removal licence that you can be given within this state. The licences include

  • Class A licence

  • Class B asbestos removal licence

You can remove asbestos containing material without having a licence if the area in focus should not exceed 10 square meters. Moreover, the policy only apply for the removal of non-friable asbestos.

7. Northern Territory

You can apply for either limited or unlimited asbestos removal licence from NT WorkSafe. The licence is valid for a period of five years from the date of issue. Moreover, a licence holder should notify NT WorkSafe seven days before commencing any removal work.

Licence is not require for the removal of asbestos when:

  • A person is removing asbestos in an area that does not exceed 10 square meters
  • Asbestos containing material do not extend 1 meter in any direction when doing maintenance work.

8. Norfork Island

The Norfork Island WorkSafe is mandated to issue all the asbestos removal licences. An interested party can either apply for:

  • Limited licence that allows the licence holder to remove non-friable asbestos in an area that exceeds 10 square meters
  • Unlimited licence that allows an individual to remove both friable and non – friable asbestos.
    However, when the region that you intend to remove asbestos is less than 10 square meters, an individual is not require to have a licence.

In conclusion

All the states in Australia require that a licence holder should:

  • Be above 18 years
  • Should have at least three years of experience in the handling asbestos material

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