Knowing about the important tips for handling hazardous waste is a must for industrial sectors to preserve our nature. Improper handling of hazardous waste can cause various negative impacts which can be seen clearly in our previous article.
So, What are the Tips for Handling Hazardous Waste That Industries Should Practice?
In Malaysia, the Department of Environment (DOE) has established the Scheduled Waste Guidelines according to the specific categories of scheduled wastes.
Thus, industries should always comply with the guidelines prepared by DOE. In this article, we are going to list out a few important tips for handling hazardous waste for industries. These tips are mainly taken from the Guidelines for Packaging, Labelling and Storage of Scheduled Wastes In Malaysia, prepared by DOE. Read the full version to gain a complete understanding since this article is solely meant to point out several important tips only.
1. Site Selection and Design Criteria for Storage of Scheduled
Wastes
The first step in the tips for handling hazardous waste is waste generators must know about the selection of storage areas. There are 2 types of storage areas, which are on-site storage for the scheduled waste produced on the premises, and off-site storage which is meant for the scheduled waste produced outside the premises. Below are the criteria that must be fulfilled by each type of storage area.
- On-site storage
The designated area must be located in the waste generator premises, away from the manufacturing/processing area and area of employees activities, sources of heat or fire, and risky areas such as flood-prone areas and the edge of hills or slopes.
- Off-site storage
The facility provided should comply with the requirement specified in the Environmental Essentials for Siting of Industries In Malaysia (EESIM). For your information, EESIM is the fourth edition of the documentation developed by DOE in the series of ‘Guidelines for the Siting and Zoning of Industries’. Also, it must be located within an industrial area and away from a flood-prone area.
Secondly, the waste generator must follow the storage design criteria to avoid spillage or leakage of scheduled wastes into the environment. Indeed, there are a lot of criteria that should be followed by the industries. However, we would like to point out the most essential component in the criteria, which is the design capacity.
DOE has specified that waste generators should provide 25% extra storage capacity of the actual maximum amount of waste generated. Apart from that, the storage duration must not exceed 180 days or as prescribed by DOE. Furthermore, adequate signage with the word “DANGER” and “SCHEDULED WASTES STORAGE” must be placed and made visible. In short, these tips for handling hazardous waste are pivotal and must be obeyed at all times.
2. Packaging and Labelling of Scheduled Wastes Containers
The next tips for handling hazardous waste includes packaging and labelling of the containers. However, waste generators should identify the scheduled wastes first by using the methods underlined in the guidelines. This step of identifying the specific hazardous characteristics of the scheduled waste is crucial for the next process, as well as allowing the waste handlers to prepare sufficient precautions.
After the identification process has been completed, follow the next tips for handling hazardous waste. In terms of packaging, waste handlers should select the appropriate containers according to the characteristics of the scheduled wastes. In other words, the types of materials chosen must be compatible with the types of scheduled wastes to avoid them from deteriorating the containers. Normally, the containers used are as listed below.
- Bunghole drum (steel/plastic)
Credit: eSWIS
- Open top drum (steel/plastic) with cover and clamp
Credit: eSWIS
- Intermediate bulk container
- Corrugated box/carton box
- Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs)/Jumbo Bags/Bulk Bags/Polypropylene Big Bags
After the appropriate containers have been selected, the waste handlers should label them according to the Third Schedule of the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005 and mark with the scheduled wastes code as specified in the First Schedule of the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005.
One of the useful tips for handling hazardous waste in the labelling process is waste handlers must follow exactly the guidelines prepared by DOE. Most importantly, the information that is needed in the label must be included.
To clarify, the proper labelling of containers is highly needed for identification and warning purposes. Hence, waste handlers or people who see the containers will be aware of the hazardous waste inside the containers. Consequently, the risks of personal injury can be minimized.
3. Management of Containers Containing Scheduled Waste
Now, we have come to the last part in the tips for handling hazardous waste, which is the management of containers containing the scheduled waste. Similar to the previous tips, we will highlight only a few major aspects, which are related to the storage of scheduled waste.
First of all, waste handlers should ensure that the containers are closed at all times except when adding or removing the scheduled wastes. In the cases of the container has turned into a poor condition or leaking happens, the scheduled waste in it should be immediately transferred to a new or a good condition container. If there is any spillage, immediately prevent it from spreading. Furthermore, containers should be placed on a pallet and should be stored as follows:
- Only 4 drums or 1 bag maximum per standard pallet.
- The stacking of pallets without crate storage should not be more than 2 tiers.
- Meanwhile, the stacking with crate storage should not be more than 3 tiers.
- In each row, make sure that it can fit approximately two pallets wide.
- To maintain the stability of drums, store them vertically and not horizontally.
Lastly, waste generators and handlers shall make a regular inspection on a weekly basis. They should also refer to the inspection checklist prepared in the guidelines by DOE. By doing an inspection, any mishap can be avoided due to fast action taken by the person in charge. Also, it is meant to keep the data in a log book for reference.
Safety Precautions – Tips for Handling Hazardous Waste
While the given tips for handling hazardous waste above are important, safety precautions must be strictly adhered to while handling hazardous waste. Failure to do so could pose danger to the workers and lead to contamination to its surrounding environment. Below are the 3 safety precautions that should be taken by employers to promote a safe work environment:
- Provide the waste handlers with suitable personal protection equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, face shields, etc.
- Ensure the waste handlers have participated in the training on proper management of scheduled wastes as stipulated under Regulation 15 of the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005.
- Equip the workers involved with the manual of emergency procedures. In addition, the storage area must also be equipped with the copied version of the manual.
All these tips for handling hazardous waste must be practised at all times. Hopefully, this article can provide general ideas on the tips for handling hazardous waste that should be practised by the industries.
BONUS! Tips for Handling Hazardous Waste – Hire a Consultant
In 2020, there are a total of 29 cases reported for scheduled waste under section 34(b) (Scheduled Waste) of the Environmental Quality Act, 1974. If your business is likely to be under the DOE’s radar, you might want to consider getting expert advice from a qualified EIA consultant organization.
Velcro Envirotech Sdn Bhd (VETSB) is an independent company offering a workable, manageable, achievable technical solution to various environmental challenges. Our technical team and consultants have more than 20 years of experience in environmental pollution control engineering and waste management in Malaysia.
Past project: Century Motolite Battery – Used Lead Acid Battery Plant at Siputeh, Perak. The plant recovers the waste of lead-acid batteries (SW102) that require complex and susceptible processes. Therefore, it needs to go through a tedious approval process by the Department of Environment (DOE). We come up with the best possible solution by providing our client with the Environmental Impacts Assessment (EIA) services, and they have now successfully received approval from the DOE.
Should you have further enquiries, you may contact Cik Haza (017-5004744) to arrange an appointment. Feel free to read more articles featured in our blog here.
This article is for public general information purposes only. It is not meant to be used or constructed as advice in any manner.
