Current through Register Vol. 24-06, March 15, 2024
(1) A
generator may accumulate as much as fifty-five gallons of dangerous waste or
either one quart of liquid acutely hazardous waste or 2.2 lbs. of solid acutely
hazardous waste (as defined in WAC
173-303-040 ) in
containers at or near any point of generation where waste initially accumulates
(defined as a satellite accumulation area in WAC
173-303-040 ). The
satellite accumulation area must be under the control of the operator of the
process generating the waste or secured at all times to prevent improper
additions of wastes to a satellite container. A generator may accumulate waste
without a permit, or without complying with WAC
173-303-400,
173-303-600,
173-303-692,
and
173-303-800,
provided that all the conditions for exemption in this section are met. A
generator may comply with the conditions for exemption in this section instead
of complying with the conditions for exemption in WAC
173-303-172
and
173-303-200,
except as required by (h) and (i) of this subsection. The conditions for
exemption for satellite accumulation are:
(a)
Condition of containers. If a container holding dangerous waste is not in good
condition (e.g., severe corroding or rusting or flaking or scaling, and/or
apparent structural defects) or if it begins to leak, the generator must
transfer the dangerous waste to a container that is in good condition and does
not leak, or immediately transfer and manage the waste in a central
accumulation area operated in compliance with WAC
173-303-172
or
173-303-200,
as applicable. In addition, the generator must address leaks and spills in
accordance with the applicable provisions of WAC
173-303-145,
173-303-172,
and
173-303-201.
(b) Compatibility of waste with containers.
The generator must use a container made of or lined with materials which will
not react with, and are otherwise compatible with, the dangerous waste to be
stored, so that the ability of the container to contain the waste is not
impaired.
(c) Management of
containers.
(i) A container holding dangerous
waste must be closed at all times, except:
(A) When it is necessary to add or remove
waste; or
(B) When temporary
venting of a container is necessary, such as:
(I) For the proper operation of equipment;
or
(II) To prevent dangerous
situations, such as build-up of extreme pressure.
(ii) A container holding dangerous
waste must not be opened, handled, or stored in a manner which may rupture the
container or cause it to leak.
(d) Special requirements for reactive waste.
Containers holding reactive waste exhibiting a characteristic specified in WAC
173-303-090(7)(a)(vi)
through (viii) must be stored in a manner
equivalent to the separation distances for storage of explosives in the
International Fire Code, 2015 edition, or the version adopted by the local fire
district.
(e) Special requirements
for incompatible wastes.
(i) Incompatible
wastes, or incompatible wastes and materials must not be placed in the same
container, unless WAC
173-303-395(1)(b)
is complied with.
(ii) Dangerous
waste must not be placed in an unwashed container that previously held an
incompatible waste or material.
(iii) A storage container holding a dangerous
waste that is incompatible with any waste or other materials stored nearby in
other containers, piles, open tanks, or surface impoundments must be separated
from the other materials or protected from them by means of a dike, berm, wall,
or other device. Containment systems for incompatible wastes must be
separate.
(f) Container
labeling or marking. A generator must clearly label or mark each container of
dangerous waste with the following:
(i) The
words "Dangerous Waste" or "Hazardous Waste." Except for containers one gallon
(or four liters) and under, the lettering must be legible from a distance of
twenty-five feet or the lettering size is a minimum of one-half inch in
height.
(ii) An indication of the
hazards of the contents (examples include, but are not limited to, the
applicable dangerous waste characteristic(s) and criteria of ignitable,
corrosive, reactive and toxic and the applicable hazard(s) identified for
listed dangerous wastes). The label or marking must be:
(A) Legible and/or recognizable from a
distance of twenty-five feet or the lettering size is a minimum of one-half
inch in height; and
(B) Include
descriptive word(s) and/or pictogram(s) that identifies the hazards associated
with the contents of the containers for the public, emergency response
personnel, and employees; for containers one gallon (or four liters) and under
the label, marking or lettering can be appropriate for the size of the
container.
(g)
Accumulation limits. When the accumulation limits listed in this subsection are
met:
(i) The container(s) must be marked
immediately with the accumulation start date; and
(ii) Moved within three consecutive calendar
days to a permitted on-site designated storage area or an on-site central
accumulation area or to a permitted off-site designated facility; and
(iii) During the three consecutive calendar
day period the generator must continue to comply with all the conditions for
exemption for satellite accumulation in this section.
(h) All satellite accumulation areas operated
by medium quantity generators must meet the preparedness and prevention
regulations and the emergency procedures in WAC
173-303-172.
(i) All satellite accumulation areas operated
by large quantity generators must meet the preparedness, prevention and
contingency regulations and emergency procedures in WAC
173-303-201.
(2) On a case-by-case basis the
department may require the satellite accumulation area to be managed in
accordance with all or some of the requirements under WAC
173-303-172
or
173-303-200
and secondary containment requirements of WAC
173-303-630(7),
if the nature of the wastes being accumulated, a history of spills or releases
from accumulated containers, or other factors are determined by the department
to be a threat or potential threat to human health or the
environment.