Hazardous materials management systems

The responsibility for the implementation of the Hazardous Materials Identification System should be assigned to one individual by the plant manager. 

Make sure that you have access to the MSDS, the chemical is labeled as required by your facility, and the container is entered into your facility s hazardous chemical management program. Study the chemical s MSDS and label. Look for information about the chemical s reactivity, stability and hazards. If there is a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) diamond or a Hazard Material Information System (HMIS) label, look for a 2, 3, or 4 in the yellow Instability (formerly Reactivity) section or a W (water reactive) in the white Special Hazards section. 

Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS). Developed by the National Paint and boatings Association to provide information on the acute health, flammability, and reactivity hazards encountered in the workplace environment when improperly managed possesses at least one of four characteristics ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity, or appears on special EPA lists. 

James E. Roughton has a Master of Science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (lUP) in safety science and is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), a Canadian Register Safety Science Professional (CRSP), and a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM). His experience includes 4 years in the military and 35 years experience in industry, with the past 27 years in the safety area developing and implementing safety management systems. 

The effectiveness of a hazardous-waste management system is a measure of how well it reduces the quantities and hazards of wastes. As shown in Figure 22.1, the best management option consists of measures that prevent generation of wastes. Next in order of desirability is recovery and recycling of waste constituents, followed by destruction and treatment with conversion to nonhazardous-waste forms. The least desirable option is disposal of hazardous materials in storage or landfill. 

Because many of the techniques, especially those associated with the recovery of materials and energy and the processing of solid hazardous wastes, are in a state of flux with respect to application and design criteria, the objective here is only to introduce them to the reader. If these techniques are to be considered in the development of waste-management systems, current engineering design and performance data must be obtained from consultants, operating records, field tests, equipment manufacturers, and available literature. 

Deahng with the immediate technical causes of a leak, for example, will prevent another leak for the same reason. If so little of the hazardous material can be used that leaks do not matter or a safer material can be used instead, as previously discussed, all significant leaks of this hazardous material can be prevented. If the management system can be improved, we may be able to prevent many more accidents of other sorts. 

Information management system designed to aid in the creation of MSDSs. Includes packages containing hazardous materials data for compliance with "Right to Know" legislation. 

Vicky Demoss System manages hazardous materials includes... 

Companies may wish to develop workshops to train potential team members in the inherent safety review process. The workshop can provide background information on inherent safety concepts, the extensive systems required to manage hazardous materials, and information on the inherent safety review process. Videos, problems, examples, and team exercises can be included to enliven the education process. 

A new scheme for location management has developed whereby wastes are diverted to separate holding facilities according to the hazard imposed by the waste. Separate pits are created to hold rig washing and precipitation wastes, solid wastes and drilling fluids [225]. The waste is then reused, disposed on site, or hauled away for offsite treatment. The system reduces contamination of less hazardous materials with the more hazardous materials, thereby reducing disposal costs. 

A comprehensive system to manage process hazards should also have other elements, in addition to those listed in Table 2.1. As such, Table 2.2 lists elements included in CCPS, OSHA/EPA, and Seveso II programs that are not explicitly addressed in this publication. This is not intended to imply that these other elements are unimportant. For example, all facilities handling hazardous materials and energies should engage in emergency... 

It is not necessary or desirable to create a separate system for managing chemical reactivity hazards if an appropriate management system is already in place. All management system essentials (see Table 4.1 in Chapter 4) apply to the management of other process hazards as well, such as the handling of toxic or flammable materials. Most apply to other essential practices as well, such as environmental management, occupational safety, and industrial hygiene. 

In conclusion, the hazardous waste management regulatory system under RCRA is both dynamic and complex. Pesticides, by their very nature, pose unique disposal problems. It is thus incumbent upon persons managing such materials to keep abreast of current standards and regulations. EPA has established a toll free "hotline" for such a purpose. The telephone number is 800-424-9346 or if in Washington, D.C., 382-3000. 

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