Handling of Toxic Waste for Power Sweeping
An inevitable part of power sweeping involves the accumulation and handling of toxic waste. Toxic materials found in parking lots and on roadways run the gamut of solid particles (glass, metals, minerals) to liquid (engine oil, antifreeze) to organic (human or animal waste, dead animals, food). Combined, they make a noxious brew that you, the power sweeping contractor, must dispose of. Every state and municipality has its own guidelines for the disposal of hazardous waste, but they all agree on the basics for handling hazardous waste to keep your employees and your community safe.
Storage of Hazardous Waste
Proper storage of hazardous waste requires using appropriate hazardous waste storage containers which can be sealed to prevent the release of harmful chemical substances. Not all containers are appropriate for all toxic materials, so make sure that you use the proper storage container. To ensure the safety of everyone and the environment, ensure all storage containers are manufactured with weather- and corrosion-resistant materials.1 Of course, using the proper storage containers goes hand in hand with maintaining a proper storage area. The area where you store hazardous waste should be inaccessible to anyone not authorized to be there and clearly identified as a hazardous waste storage facility. Make sure the area itself serves as a secondary containment area should one of the containers fail. Refer to local authorities regarding storage (and disposal) of hazardous waste. The University of Chicago Department of Environmental Health and Safety has published a Chemical Segregation and Storage Chart2 that serves as a quick guide to substance identification and storage methods.
Hazardous Waste Treatment
Although it’s unlikely that your company may be called upon to treat hazardous waste, it’s helpful to know the basics. Per the Encyclopedia Britannica:
Hazardous waste can be treated by chemical, thermal, biological, and physical methods. Chemical methods include ion exchange, precipitation, oxidation and reduction, and neutralization. Among thermal methods is high-temperature incineration, which not only can detoxify certain organic wastes but also can destroy them.
Hazardous Waste Characteristics
To know how to properly store, treat, and/or dispose of hazardous substances, you need to know some general characteristics. These may be categorized as flammability, corrosiveness, reactivity, toxicity. Flammable liquids have a flashpoint at less than 140 degrees Fahrenheit. These include alcohols, acetone, ethyl acetate, mineral spirits, and gasoline. Other substances easily ignited include oxidizers (e.g, nitrates, perchlorates, bromates, permanganates, peroxides, iodates) and organic peroxides (e.g., benzoyl peroxide, cumene hydroperoxide, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide). Corrosiveness includes aqueous liquids with a pH less than 2 or greater than 12.5. Other liquids categorized as corrosive include those that corrode steel at a rate greater than 6.35 millimeters per year at a temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Reactivity refers to materials that can create toxic fumes or have violent chemical reactions. These include sulfides and cyanides, peroxide formers, water-reactive materials, multi-nitrated compounds, perchlorate crystal formers, and compounds susceptible to vigorous polymerization. Toxicity covers a multitude of metallic, organic, and chemical substances which includes pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, arsenic, mercury, selenium, and silver.
Remediation Plan for Power Sweeper Operators
Should any of your power sweeper operators encounter an emergency situation involving hazardous waste, it’s important to have a protocol which should be followed immediately. If you do not have a plan, get one and communicate it otherwise your local government authority will share their thoughts on your plan, or lack thereof! If you are charged with remediating the waste, you have limited options and it is wise to consult with a professional. One option is to completely remove all the toxic matter from the site and transport it to another location. That postpones the problem more than it solves the problem; however, complete removal may prevent toxic chemicals from leaking into wetlands and water sources. Your other option is full containment of the hazardous waste. This involves using an impermeable liner and cover to prevent any toxic substances from leaking into the surrounding environment but you still have to determine a final destination of the waste.