HAZARDOUS WASTE

MANAGEMENT REFERENCE
GUIDE

Prepared by
Environment, Health and Safety Office
California Institute of Technology
Mail Code 25-6 • Extension 6727
Fax (626) 577-6028 •
safety@caltech.edu
http://safety.caltech.edu
TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE – OVERVIEW 4

INTRODUCTION 4
REGULATIONS 4

CHAPTER TWO – HAZARDOUS WASTE DETERMINATION 5

CHARACTERISTIC HAZARDOUS WASTES 5

LISTED HAZARDOUS WASTES 6
UNKNOWN HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS OR WASTE 6
NON-HAZARDOUS WASTES 7

CHAPTER THREE – HAZARDOUS WASTE HANDLING

AND DISPOSAL REQUIREMENTS 7

RESPONSIBILITIES 7
Principal Investigators 7
Laboratory Personnel 8
EH&S Personnel 8
HAZARDOUS WASTE ACCUMULATION AREAS 9
Satellite Accumulation Area 9
Waste Accumulation Facility 10
HAZARDOUS WASTE CONTAINER MANAGEMENT
Labeling Procedures 10
Proper Containers And Storage 13
Segregation 14
Pickup Of Hazardous Wastes And Materials 15

CHAPTER FOUR – OTHER SPECIFIC WASTE

REQUIREMENTS 16

UNKNOWN CHEMICALS 16
LABORATORY CLEANOUTS 17
GAS CYLINDERS 17
EMPTY CONTAINERS 18
BROKEN GLASSWARE 19
ETHIDIUM BROMIDE 19
UNIVERSAL WASTE 19
Batteries 20
Cathode Ray Tubes and Consumer Electronic Devices 20
Lamps 21

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CHAPTER FIVE – WASTE MINIMIZATION 22

SUBSTITUTION 22
RECYCLING AND REDISTRIBUTION 22
LABORATORY TREATMENT 23

CHAPTER SIX – EMERGENCY AND SPILL RESPONSE 24

INSTITUTE EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDE 24

INCIDENT RESPONSE 24
INJURIES INVOLVING A CHEMICAL 25
SPILL PROCEDURES 26
Small Spill 26
Large Spill 27

CHAPTER SEVEN – COMPLIANCE TRAINING 28

HAZARD AWARENESS 28
SAFE WORK PRACTICES 29
ACCIDENT RESPONSE 29

APPENDIX A – NON-HAZARDOUS WASTE LIST 31

APPENDIX B – HAZARDOUS WASTE TAG 36

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CHAPTER ONE
OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION

The California Institute of Technology

recognizes its responsibility to ensure that all
activities involving hazardous waste are
conducted in such a matter that provides for
the safety of its employees, students, and the
environment.

In order for the Institute to fulfill these

responsibilities, the specific guidelines in this
reference guide have been developed and
implemented to promote the safe management
of these hazardous wastes throughout all the
Institute’s operations.

REGULATIONS

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

of 1976 (RCRA) requires generators of
hazardous waste to comply with the regulatory
requirements contained in Title 40 of the Code
of Federal Regulations Part 262 (40 CFR Part
262). This Part requires generators to ensure
and fully document that the hazardous waste
they produce is properly identified, managed,
and transported to a RCRA-permitted
treatment, storage or disposal (TSD) facility.
The California Environmental Protection
Agency (Cal EPA) is the state authority, which
regulates hazardous waste in California. The
Cal EPA regulations (Title 22, Division 4.5,
Chapter 12) are more extensive than the
equivalent Federal Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) regulations.

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CHAPTER TWO
HAZARDOUS WASTE DETERMINATION

This chapter identifies those chemicals, which

are classified as hazardous and require
disposal through the Environment, Health, and
Safety Office (EH&S). The identification or
determination of a hazardous waste is based
on two important premises – listing and testing
characteristics. Listing a substance, as a
hazardous waste is an EPA activity while the
testing for a hazardous characteristic is a
generator (Caltech) requirement. Upon
request, the EH&S Office will perform
analytical testing, using EPA protocols, to
determine if a substance exhibits a hazardous
characteristic.

For the purposes of this program, a “waste” is

defined as a material that has no intended use
or reuse. Contaminated chemicals, chemicals
in deteriorating containers, and any other
chemical(s) that are no longer used or useful
should be considered as a waste.

LISTED HAZARDOUS WASTES

Federal and state regulations list several

categories of substances, which have toxic,
carcinogenic, mutagenic, or have teratogenic
effects in humans, or have an adverse impact
on the environment. These substances are
listed by specific sources, non-specific
sources, discarded commercial chemical
products, container and spill residuals, or are
considered acutely or extremely hazardous.
The list of hazardous wastes in California can
be found at § 66261.2.

CHARACTERISTIC HAZARDOUS WASTES

Certain substances, which are not specifically

listed as a hazardous waste, are still regulated
as a hazardous waste because they exhibit one
or more of the following characteristics:

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 • Ignitable – A waste exhibits the ignitable
characteristic if it is a liquid with a flash
point of less than 140 Fahrenheit. This
includes solvents such as methanol,
ethanol, ethers, and acetonitrile.

• Corrosive – A waste exhibits the

corrosive characteristic if it is aqueous
with a pH less than or equal to 2 or
greater than or equal to 12.5.

• Reactive – A waste exhibits the reactive

characteristic if it is unstable, explosive,
water or air reactive, a strong oxidizer,
an organic peroxide, or contains cyanide
or sulfide bearing materials that release
toxic gases in contact with acids.

• Toxic – A waste exhibits the

characteristic if it contains toxic metals or
pesticides; exhibit oral toxicity, contain a
known carcinogen or known mutagen; or
are toxic to aquatic species.

UNKNOWN HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS OR WASTE

All hazardous waste that is picked up by the

Environment, Health, and Safety Office (EH&S)
must be completely labeled and identified.
Principal Investigator’s (PI’s) and their group
members, Facilities personnel, and any other
person or entity that produces hazardous
waste is responsible for accurately labeling and
identifying all wastes under their control. When
an unknown waste is discovered, an attempt
must be made by the group to identify its
contents immediately. In the event that
someone cannot identify the waste, than the
Institute’s hazardous waste contractor will
perform an analysis to identify the unknown
waste. Any analysis performed by the
Institute’s hazardous waste contractor will be
conducted in the laboratories or location in
which it was discovered. The cost of the

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 analysis will be billed back to the appropriate
party.

NON-HAZARDOUS WASTES

A waste is determined to be non-hazardous if it

is listed on the Non-Hazardous Waste List,
located in Appendix A. If you are using a
chemical that is on this list then you can
dispose of it in the manner described on the
list. All chemicals not listed must be regarded
as hazardous and be managed and disposed
of as a hazardous waste.

CHAPTER THREE
HAZARDOUS WASTE HANDLING AND DISPOSAL
REQUIREMENTS

This chapter describes the Institute’s

procedures regarding the handling and
disposal of hazardous waste. The California
Institute of Technology can be inspected
annually by state, federal, or local regulatory
agencies for compliance with hazardous waste
violations. Failure to meet all of these
regulations can lead to a Notice of Violation
and/or fines from these agencies.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Principal Investigators
Principal Investigators (PI’s) have the primary
responsibility for ensuring that their laboratory
personnel follow the Institute’s procedures for
the handling and disposal of hazardous
waste(s). Specifically, PI’s are responsible for
ensuring:

Only authorized personnel are to have

access to their laboratory operations;

Laboratory personnel have received

adequate hazardous waste training;

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 Laboratory personnel follow hazardous
waste procedures; and

Appropriate personnel protective

equipment (PPE) is available and worn
when necessary. The Chemical
Hygiene Plan can assist personnel in
determining PPE requirements.

Laboratory Personnel
Laboratory personnel are responsible for the
following:

Making the initial determination when a

material becomes a hazardous waste;
and

Following Institute procedures governing

the handling and disposal of hazardous
waste.

Facilities Personnel
Facilities personnel are responsible for the
following:

Making the initial determination when a

material becomes a hazardous waste;
and

Following Institute procedures governing

the handling and disposal of hazardous
waste.

EH&S Personnel
The EH&S Office is available to provide
support in all areas of hazardous waste
operations, including:

Providing training and/or training

materials to faculty and laboratory
personnel who generate hazardous
waste;

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 Transportation of hazardous waste from
the Satellite Accumulation Area’s (SAA)
to the Waste Accumulation Facility’s
(WAF);

Final hazardous waste identification and

determination;

Performing analytical or hazard

characterization testing as needed; and

The management of the Institute’s

hazardous waste to approved
hazardous waste treatment, storage,
and disposal facilities (TSDF).

HAZARDOUS WASTE ACCUMULATION AREAS

There are two categories of accumulation
areas at the Institute for hazardous waste. The
first category is the Satellite Accumulation
Areas (SAA), these are typically laboratories,
and the second are the Waste Accumulation
Facilities (WAF).

Satellite Accumulation Areas

The following are SAA requirements:

Cannot accumulate more than 55

gallons of any single hazardous waste;

Cannot accumulate more than one quart

of any single extremely or acutely
hazardous waste. The list of extremely
hazardous substances can be found at
302 of the Emergency Planning and
Community Right-to-Know Act and the
list of acutely hazardous substances can
be found at CCR, Title 8, Section 5189;

Waste must be stored in the same room

it was generated in, or in a room that is
under the control of the same PI as the
room in which the hazardous waste was
generated;

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 All rooms from which hazardous waste
is accumulated must be on the same
floor, in nearby rooms;

SAAs laboratories may accumulate

hazardous waste for only 9 months.
After that time the waste must be given
to the EH&S office for disposal.

Waste Accumulation Facility

The WAF facilities are the Institute’s main
holding facilities for the accumulation of
hazardous waste prior to shipment for final
disposal. The following are WAF
requirements:

Can accumulate any amount of

hazardous waste;

Weekly written inspections must be

performed;

Accumulation time is limited to 90 days.

HAZARDOUS WASTE CONTAINER MANAGEMENT

Hazardous waste container management is an

important part of the Institutes Hazardous
Waste Program. The following explains the
Institute’s guideline in the management of
hazardous waste containers:

Labeling Procedures
All hazardous waste containers shall be
labeled with a Caltech Hazardous Waste Tag
(See Appendix B). If the listing of substances
will not fit on the initial hazardous waste tag,
then a continuation sheet may be used in
conjunction with the initial hazardous waste
tag. In either case the tag must be completely
filled out with the following:

The tag must be dated and physically

attached to the container when the first
drop of hazardous waste goes into it.

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 This is identified on the tag as the “Date
Waste is First Generated”;

The chemical composition of the waste

must be listed on the tag. Formulas
and abbreviations are not acceptable
for substance identification;

All constituents in solid and liquid

mixtures must be identified, and to the
extent possible their concentrations
listed;

The physical state must be indicated as

either a gas, liquid, or solid. More then
one physical state can be marked off on
the tag;

One or more hazard class(s) must be

identified on the tag. If the presence of
an oxidizer, sulfide, or cyanide is
present, it must be indicated specifically
on the tag. The hazard class can be
found on the Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) for that substance. . MSDS’s
are located in the EH&S office or can be
found on-line at http://www.hazard.com/.
; and

EH&S personnel will sign the

certification (Grey Area) portion of the
tag, once they determine that the
container is properly described and
contained for safe handling.

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A flowchart illustrates the labeling process.

D o e s th e m a te ria l
h a v e a n y in te n d e d Yes C o n tin u e to u s e
u s e o r re u s e ?

No

W a s a n h a z a rd o u s
w a s te ta g a tta c h e d
A tta c h h a z a rd o u s
to th e c o n ta in e r No
w a s te ta g
w h e n th e firs t d ro p
w e n t in s id e ?

Y es
Y es

A re a ll c h e m ic a l
L is t a ll c h e m ic a l
n a m e s lis te d if fu ll,
n a m e s w ith n o
w ith n o No
fo rm u la s o r
a b b re v ia tio n s o r
a b b re v ia tio n s
fo rm u la s ?

Y es

C o n s u lt th e
A re th e P h y s ic a l
M a te ria l S a fe ty
S ta te a n d H a z a rd
No D a ta S h e e t fo r
C la s s lis te d o n th e
P h y s ic a l S ta te a n d
ta g ?
H a z a rd C la s s

Y es
Yes

P la c e h a z a rd o u s E H & S w ill a s s e s s
w a s te c o n ta in e r in c o m p lia n c e a n d
d e s ig n a te d p ic k u p p ro c e s s th e
a re a c o n ta in e r

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Proper Containers And Storage
It is important to use the proper container when
collecting hazardous waste(s). A hazardous
waste collected in the wrong container could
pose a danger to laboratory personnel, EH&S
personnel and Institute property. EH&S will
provide 5 gallon jerricans for the collection of
solvent waste, otherwise it is the responsibility
of the person generating the waste to provide a
proper container for the accumulation and
storage of it. Generally, the best containers for
the accumulation of hazardous waste are the
ones that originally held the material. Please
use the following guidelines when collecting
hazardous wastes:

Use a separate container for each

hazardous waste;

Use an appropriate container size to

match the amount of waste being
generated;

All containers must be constructed of a

material that is compatible with the
hazardous waste(s) being contained;

All hazardous waste containers must be

non-leaking and tightly capped;

Never completely fill any container

containing liquid hazardous waste. Allow
at least two inches of air space near the
top of the container to prevent pressure
buildup;

Unless the transfer of hazardous waste

to a container is occurring, no
containers may be open during the
accumulation period. In the event that a
funnel will be used for the transfer of a
hazardous waste into a container, the
EH&S Office has recommends the use
of a Nalgene Safety Waste Funnel. This

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 funnel can be purchased in the VWR
stockroom.

Containers must be labeled with a

Caltech Hazardous Waste Tag.

Segregation
Caution must be exercised in any area where
hazardous chemicals or waste are
accumulated to assure incompatible materials
are segregated appropriately. Segregate by
the chemical or waste hazard class, not
alphabetically. Consult the chemicals Material
Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or any other
chemical information resources, such as the
Merck Index or Hawley’s Chemical Dictionary
for compatibility information. The following are
examples of incompatible chemicals:

Flammables and Oxidizers;

Elemental Metals and Hydrides;

Cyanides and Acids;

Sulfides and Acids;

Bases and Acids;

Flammables and Acids;

Chlorine Compounds and Acids;

Elemental Metals and Acids;

Chlorine Compounds and Amines;

Air or Water Reactives and Anything;

Organic Peroxides and Anything.

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Pickup Of Hazard Wastes And Materials
A movement of hazardous waste between a
SAA to the WAF occurs in two ways. The first
is done through scheduled pickups for selected
buildings. Scheduled pickups are done by the
EH&S office on a weekly basis in the following
buildings:

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Morning
Church Noyes Church B.I. Bio. Waste
Crellin Crellin

Afternoon
Keck Alles B.B.B. Braun Spaulding
Church N. Mudd Mead Steele
(Bio.)
Kerckhoff Physical Watson
Plant
Moore

The second is done on a call-in basis. Persons

who generate hazardous waste and are not
part of the scheduled pickup program, will call
the EH&S office at x6727 and request a pickup
of hazardous waste from that location. They
will be asked to provide the following
information:

Name, location, and phone number:

Identification and quantity of the

waste/material to be picked up;

Physical State;

Hazard Class; and

Whether the waste/material has an

Institute Hazardous Waste Tag affixed
to the container(s) to be picked up.

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CHAPTER FOUR
OTHER SPECIFIC WASTE REQUIREMENTS

UNKNOWN CHEMICAL (S)

Hazardous Waste Generators are responsible

for assuring that all chemicals and wastes
under their control are identified and clearly
labeled. In the event that a chemical is found
and its contents unknown, then the following
apply:

Make an attempt to identify the contents

of the container. Never guess or
assume as to the contents of the
container;

If the contents still cannot be identified

then attach a hazardous waste tag to
the container and indicate on the label
that the material is unknown;

Notify the EH&S office or an EH&S

technician that there is an unknown
chemical to be analyzed. EH&S will ask
for an account number to perform a
subsequent analysis of the unknown
material. The current cost of an
analysis of an unknown material is
$100.00;

The unknown chemical will remain in the

location in where it was generated until
the composition of the material is
known.

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LABORATORY CLEANOUTS
Laboratory clean-outs involves the removal of
excess amounts of chemicals. These clean-
outs occur when the laboratory is being closed
down, is moving, or has an excess
accumulation of chemicals being stored. It is
the responsibility of the PI and or division to
assure that all material from a laboratory clean
out is properly segregated and labeled for
pickup by EH&S staff. EH&S will assist the PI
or division by doing an initial evaluation of the
laboratory and provide labeling and
segregation instructions as needed.

In the event that the PI or division does not

wish to segregate or label their excess
chemicals, then EH&S can assist by providing
personnel or contractors to facilitate the
laboratory clean out. The PI or division will
be responsible for labor charges associated
with providing the personnel or contractor
to facilitate the laboratory cleanout.

GAS CYLINDERS
There are two types of gas cylinders commonly
used at Caltech, refillable and non-refillable
(lecture bottle). Both of these cylinders have
different methods used to manage them for
removal from the laboratories.

Refillable gas cylinders are large and have an

average of 200 cubic feet of compressed gas
in them. These cylinders are owned by the
manufacturer and must be returned to them
when they are empty. When you have a
refillable gas cylinder that is empty, simply call
Transportation and they will pickup the cylinder
and make sure that it gets back to the proper
manufacturer.
Non-refillable gas cylinders (lecture bottles),
however, must be managed as hazardous
waste, as they are purchased outright. When a
lecture bottle is ready to be disposed of, simply
attach an EH&S hazardous waste tag and
either place it in your designated pickup area
or call EH&S for a pickup.

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EMPTY CONTAINERS
For a container to be truly empty, not a drop of
liquid, or any solid residue that could be
scrapped out, may be present. The following is
a decision tree to determine whether a
container is to be considered empty:

D id th e c o n ta in e r T h e d e fin itio n o f a n "E m p ty

p re v io u s ly h o ld a T h e c o n ta in e r is C o n ta in e r" is a s fo llo w s :
h a z a rd o u s No n o t re g u la te d
m a te ria l? L iq u id s
N o t a s in g le d ro p o f m a te ria l
c a n b e re m o v e d b y in v e rtin g
Y es o r tiltin g th e c o n ta in e r

S o lid s a n d S e m i-S o lid s

D o y o u in te n d to
M a te ria l c a n n o t b e re m o v e d
re u s e th e
C ro s s o u t th e fro m th e c o n ta in e r b y
c o n ta in e r in th e
Yes o rig in a l la b e l s c ra p in g o r c h ip p in g
fu tu re to h o ld a
c o m p a tib le w a s te ?
A e r o s o ls
C o n te n ts a n d p ro p e lla n t a re
u s e d to th e m a x im u m e x te n t
No fe a s ib le u n d e r n o rm a l u s e

Is th e v o lu m e o f
th e c o n ta in e r 5
g a llo n s o r le s s ? No

Y es

D id th e c o n ta in e r
h o ld a n e x tre m e ly
h a z a rd o u s Y es
m a te ria l?

No
P u t a H a z a rd o u s
W a s te T a g o n th e
In y o u r o p in io n , c o n ta in e r.
w o u ld p u ttin g th e W ill rin s in g th e
c o n ta in e r in th e c o n ta in e r re m o v e T h e A c c u m u la tio n
tra s h p o s e a Yes th e h a z a rd ? No D a te th e c o n ta in e r w a s
h a z a rd ? e m p tie d .

T h e C h e m ic a l N a m e =
Yes
T h e c h e m ic a l
c o m p o s tio n o f th e
c o n ta in e r's fo rm e r
R e m o v e th e c a p o r c o n te n ts .
R in s e th e
lid , d e fa c e th e
c o n ta in e r a n d s a v e F ill in th e re s t o f th e
la b e l, a n d p la c e in
th e rin s a te a s a ta g .
th e tra s h o r a
h a z a rd o u s w a s te
re c y c lin g b in

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BROKEN GLASSWARE
If glassware is not contaminated based on the
empty container decision tree, then it may be
disposed as a non-hazardous waste. When
disposing of glassware that is a non-hazardous
waste, the following must be followed:

Place all glassware in a Broken Glass

Disposal Carton. (These may be
purchased through the VWR or Biology
stockrooms);

When full, tape the carton’s top to seal it

shut;

Make sure that there is no penetration of

the disposal carton by the glassware
enclosed within the carton; and

Place the carton in a location where

your custodian will be able to see it, or
request that custodial put up the carton
for disposal.

ETHIDIUM BROMIDE
Unwanted ethidium bromide, gels, and working
solutions must be disposed of as a hazardous
waste. EH&S will provide 5 gallon buckets for
the disposal of gels containing ethidium
bromide. Disposal of ethidium bromide into the
sanitary sewer (sink drains) is strictly
prohibited.

Aquatic toxicity testing may be done to

determine whether an ethidium bromide waste
stream can be considered non-hazardous.
Please contact the EH&S Office for further
assistance.

UNIVERSAL WASTES
Universal wastes are hazardous wastes that
are more common and pose a lower risk to
people and the environment than other
hazardous wastes. Federal and State
regulations identify universal wastes and
provide simplified rules for the handling,

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 recycling, and disposal of them. The
regulations, called the “Universal Waste Rule”,
are in the California Code of Regulations, Title
22, Division 4.5, Chapter 23, and § 66273.1.
The following are the Institute’s universal
wastes and the management practices
associated with them:

Batteries
Universal waste batteries include rechargeable
nickel-cadmium batteries, alkaline batteries,
silver button batteries, mercury batteries, small
sealed acid batteries (burglar alarm and
emergency light), and carbon zinc batteries.
Containers for the disposal of these batteries
are located in the following locations:

Biology Stockrooms
a. Alles (Room 181)
b. Beckman Behavioral (Room 127)

Beckman Institute Stockroom

(Room 141)

Chemistry Stockroom (157 Crellin)

Engineering Stockroom (029 Moore)

Bookstore (Winnett Center)

Physical Plant Main Stockroom

Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT’s) and Consumer Electronic Devices (CED’s)

CRT’s, such as television picture tubes and
non-flat panel computer monitors are
considered universal wastes. A typically 17-
inch computer monitor contains approximately
2.2 pounds of lead. A 27-inch television can
contain up to 8 pounds of lead.

Consumer Electronic Devices (CED’s) are

electronics that exhibit hazardous
characteristics and are considered a universal
waste. Examples of CED’s include cell
phones, computer hard drives, microwaves,

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 computer printers, cordless phones, DVD’s,
and VCR’s.

The EH&S Office coordinates the disposal of

both CRT’s and CED’s on a monthly basis. If
you would like do dispose of these items,
please do the following:

1. Destroy all information and data located

in and on the equipment being given for
disposal;

2. Contact EH&S at extension 6727 and

indicate the amount of items being
picked up and their location;

3. Provide an account number. This

account number will be used for the
transportation of the items from their
stored location to an accumulation area.

Lamps
Universal waste lamps include fluorescent
tubes, high intensity discharge lamps (HID’s),
and sodium vapor lamps. Facilities replace
universal waste lamps on a daily basis at the
Institute. Once a lamp has been spent, it is
collected and consolidated at the following two
locations:

1. Safety Annex

2. Safety Storage Trailer.

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CHAPTER FIVE
WASTE MINIMIZATION

The California Institute of Technology is

committed to reducing the amount of
hazardous waste that is generated by Institute
operations. Below are a few strategies that will
help the Institute in minimizing the generation
of hazardous waste.

SUBSTITUTION
Replace the toxic or other hazardous materials
you use with less hazardous or non-hazardous
substances. This is the best way to minimize
hazardous waste. Mercury thermometers can
be replaced with alcohol thermometers. The
debris and mercury from a thermometer must
be dealt with as hazardous waste, while a
broken alcohol thermometer can be disposed
of as broken glassware. Chromium- and acid-
based glassware cleaning solutions can be
replaced with alconox or no-chromix glassware
cleaners. Toluene-based flammable
scintillation cocktails can be replaced with non-
flammable cocktails.

RECYCLING AND REDISTRIBUTION

Chemicals that are unused or unopened can
often be redistributed to other labs or work
areas for reuse, saving both disposal costs and
new product costs for someone else. The
EH&S Office keeps an inventory of unused or
unopened chemicals that can be redistributed
back to the laboratories. Please contact the
EH&S Office for a current inventory list.

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LABORATORY TREATMENT
Treatment of hazardous waste, in the
laboratory, to eliminate or reduce hazardous
components is allowable. On September 15,
1998, Assembly Bill (AB) 966 was enacted into
law. AB966 allows for certain proscribed small
scale or benchtop treatments of hazardous (or
the hazardous components of mixed) wastes in
a laboratory setting. The following is a
summary of California State Law benchtop
treatment requirements:

The treatment occurs in a laboratory.

The purpose of the treatment is to

minimize the generation of hazardous
waste or enhance safety in the
laboratory.

The procedure and treatment methods

shall be in accordance with the current
version of the National Academy Press’s
“Prudent Practices in the Laboratory”,
National Research Council procedures,
or other peer-reviewed scientific
publications.

The quantity of waste being treated in

one batch cannot exceed 5 gallons of
liquid of 18 kilograms of solid or semi-
solid material.

The hazardous waste to be treated is

from one experiment, or a set of
experimental processes, and is of
similar composition with no mixing of
incompatible wastes.

The person conducting the treatment

process is one of the originators of the
experimental process and is adequately
trained in the treatment method.

The bench top treatment is conducted

within 10 working days of completion of
the laboratory process; and

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 The person conducting the bench top
treatment complies with all requirements
for management and disposal of the
waste resulting from the treatment.
CHAPTER SIX
EMERGENCY AND SPILL RESPONSE

The purpose of this section is to provide

information to persons on how to respond to
emergencies and the necessary steps to take
when chemicals are spilled or released to the
environment. .

INSTITUTE EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDE

The Caltech Emergency Response Guide is a
compilation of information on how to respond
to various emergencies. These guides are
posted in every laboratory and other strategic
locations.

INCIDENT RESPONSE
For emergencies involving fire, explosion or
health threatening incidents, the following
apply:

Call Security at extension 5000 for

emergency assistance;

Alert people in the area of the incident;

Evacuate the area (If Necessary); and

Provide information to emergency

personnel.

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INJURIES INVOLVING A CHEMICAL
For injuries involving a chemical use the
following flowchart to determine a course of
action.

Flush the affected

Does the injury
area with copious
involve minor skin Notify EH&S and
Yes amounts of water
contact with a report the injury.
for a minimum of
chemical?
15 minutes

No

Notify Security
Is the injury and request the
Get the person to
involving an eye(s) paramedics. Give
Yes an emergency
and a chemical information on the
eyewash
exposure? chemical involved
in the injury

No

Is the injury Get the person to

involving a serious Yes an emergency
skin exposure? shower

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SPILL PROCEDURES
Small Spill The following flowchart illustrates the steps to
take in the event of a small spill. If there is any
uncertainty whether the spill is manageable,
contact EH&S or Security immediately.

Do you need
assistance in Is it during norm al Contact Security
Yes No
cleaning up the work hours? at extension 5000
spill?

No

Do you intend tp
Yes
cleanup the spill?

Yes

Are you
Contact EH&S for
knowledgeable of
No assistance at
the hazards of the
extension 6727
m aterial?

Yes

Have the
appropiate
Personal
No
Protective
Equiptm ent
available?

Yes

Cleanup m aterial
Manage m aterial
from spill using
from spill as a
appropiate
hazardous waste
m ethod(s)

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Large Spill
In the event that a spill is large, not contained,
or has a potential environmental impact,
Security and/or EH&S must be notified
immediately. In addition, personnel will do the
following:

Is th e c h e m ic a l
F o llo w s m a ll s p ill
s p ill c o n s id e re d No
flo w c h a rt
" L a rg e " ?

Yes

Is th e s p ill
c o n fin e d to a la b Is it a fte r n o rm a l N o tify E H & S a t
Yes No
b e n c h o r fu m e w o rk h o u rs ? e x te n s io n 6 7 2 7
hood?

No
Yes

W ill th e s p ill re s u lt
in a n
e n v iro n m e n ta l
im p a c t b y e n te rin g N o tify S e c u rity a t
No
a flo o r d ra in , a e x te n s io n 5 0 0 0
s in k , o r b y
c o n ta m in a tin g th e
s o il?

Yes

S ta b liz e th e s p ill to
th e b e s t o f y o u r
a b ility

N o tify p e rs o n n e l in E v a c u a te , if
th e a ffe c te d a re a n e c e s s a ry

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CHAPTER SEVEN
HAZARDOUS WASTE GENERATOR TRAINING

The EH&S Office is committed to providing

training regarding compliance in managing
hazard waste. This training consists of three
components, which are described briefly in this
section. Please contact the EH&S office for
individual or group training.

HAZARD AWARENESS
This component covers the hazards associated
with hazardous waste in work areas.

Corrosive (Acids and Bases): Materials that

corrode skin or metal.
Examples: Hydrochloric Acid,
Sodium Hydroxide

Flammables (and Combustibles): Materials

that readily ignite and burn vigorously.
Examples: Methanol, Ethers,
Petroleum Oil

Oxidizers (and Organic Peroxides):

Materials that release oxygen or intensify a
fire.
Examples: Concentrated Hydrogen
Peroxide, Potassium Permanganate

Air or Water Reactives (and Pyrophorics):

Materials that react violently with air or
water.
Examples: Butyl Lithium,
Phosphorus Trichloride

Toxic (Poisons, Carcinogens, Mutagens):

Materials that contain toxic metals or
pesticides; exhibit oral toxicity, contain a
known mutagen; or are toxic to the aquatic
species.
Examples: Mercury, Ethyl Acetate,
Formaldehyde

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SAFE WORK PRACTICES
This component covers the appropriate work
practices for handling hazardous wastes.

1. A chemical or material becomes a waste

when you no longer intend to use or
reuse the chemical or material.

2. Each chemical or material waste must

be managed as a hazardous waste
unless it is listed on the Caltech “Non-
Hazardous Waste List.”

3. All hazardous waste containers must be:

In good condition with no leaks or

cracks,

Kept closed except when adding

waste into the container,

Segregated from other

incompatible wastes,

Stored in secondary containment,

Attached with a fully complete

hazardous waste tag.

4. Hazardous wastes may be accumulated

for a period of up to 9 months.

ACCIDENT RESPONSE
This component covers the steps to take in
case of an accident involving hazardous
materials or waste.

1. If the accident is a fire, explosion, or

health threatening incident:

Call Security at extension 5000,

Alert people in the area,

Evacuate the area, and

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 Remain in the area to provide
information to emergency
personnel.

2. In case of eye or skin contact with a

hazardous material or waste:

Immediately flush the affected

area with water for a minimum of
15 minutes,

Notify your supervisor or advisor,

If it is a serious skin or eye

exposure, use an emergency
shower or eyewash and notify
Security at extension 5000,

3. You may cleanup small chemical spills,

if the following apply:

You are knowledgeable of the

hazards of the material involved
in the spill, and

You can clean it up using

available personal protective
equipment.

If you are unsure about the

hazards or do not have the
appropriate personal protective
equipment, please contact the
EH&S Office for assistance.

4. Call Security, at extension 5000, for

assistance in a chemical spill, if:

The spill is not contained in a

fume hood or on a laboratory
bench, and

The spill may result in an

environmental impact by entering
a sink or floor drain, or by
contaminating the soil.

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APPENDIX A
NON-HAZARDOUS WASTE LIST
Chemical Name Physical Properties Amounts Disposal
Method
Contains only
Acid, pH over 4 non-metal acid Drain Disposal
and water
Any Liquid: Drain
Actin Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Transparent Strips, Any Liquid: Drain
Agar gels, or powder Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Any Liquid: Drain
Agarose Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Alcohol Clear colorless Alcohol <24% Drain disposal
liquid
Any Liquid: Drain
Alanine Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Albumin, bovine Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Ammonium Acetate White crystals with Any Solid: Trash
a slight odor Concentration
Ammonium White crystals Any Solid: Trash
phosphate dibasic Concentration
Ammonium sulfate White granules or Any Solid: Trash
crystals Concentration

Amylase Any Liquid: Drain

Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Amylose Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Antifoam A Emulsion Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Asparagine Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash

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 Aspartic Acid Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Base, pH less than Contains only Drain Disposal
11 non-metal base
and water
Boric Acid Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Cage Klenz 250-280 Clear light Any Drain Disposal
strawberry liquid Concentration
Calcium Acetate Course white Any Solid: Trash
powder Concentration
Calcium chloride Course white Any Solid: Trash
dehydrate powder Concentration
Calcium Citrate Any Solid: Trash
Concentration
Calcium Phosphate, Any Liquid: Drain
Monobasic Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Calcium Sulfate White Powder Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Celite (diatomaceous Any
earth) Concentration Solid: Trash
Collagen Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Dextrose Any Liquid: Drain
Monohydrate Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Any
EDTA (acid free) White crystals Concentration Solid: Trash

EDTA Disodium salt White crystals Any

Concentration Solid: Trash
Egg Albumin Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Ethidium Bromide <0.1% Solid: Trash
Gels
Ferric Citrate Dark red to brown Any
powder Concentration Solid: Trash
Ferrous Sulfate Blue green crystals Any
Hexahydrate Concentration Solid: Trash

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Fetal Bovine Serum Light Brown Clear Any Liquid: Drain
Liquid Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Yellowish Any Liquid: Drain
Folic Acid Crystalline Powder Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Any Liquid: Drain
Fructose Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Any Liquid: Drain
Gelatin Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Any Liquid: Drain
Glucose Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Glutamic Acid Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Glycerol Clear Oily Liquid Any Drain Disposal
Concentration
Glycine White Crystals Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Inositol White Crystals Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Lactose White to off-white Any Liquid: Drain
Monohydrate powder Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
L-cysteine Crystalline Solid Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
L- glutamic acid White Crystals Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
L-histidine White Crystalline Any Liquid: Drain
Solid Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
L-leucine Solid Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Lysine hydrochloride Crystalline Solid Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Manganese Chloride Reddish/pink Any Solid: Trash
Crystals Concentration

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Manganese Sulfate Clear Pink Liquid Any Solid: Trash
Monohydrate Concentration
Maltose Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Mannitol White Powder Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Niacin White Crystals Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Pectin Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Potassium Chloride White crystals or Any Liquid: Drain
powder Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Potassium Large White Any Liquid: Drain
Phosphate dibasic Crystals Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Potassium White powder or Any Liquid: Drain
Phosphate granules Concentration Disposal
monobasic Solid: Trash
White powder or Any Liquid: Drain
Potassium Sulfate granules Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Riboflavin Yellow-Orange Any Liquid: Drain
Solid Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Sodium Bicarbonate White Crystalline Any Liquid: Drain
Powder Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Sodium Carbonate White Crystalline Any Liquid: Drain
Monohydrate Powder Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Sodium Chloride White Crystals Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Sodium Citrate White Crystals Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Sodium Phosphate White Powder Any Liquid: Drain
dibasic anhydrous Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash

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Sodium Phosphate White Crystalline Any Liquid: Drain
monobasic, Powder Concentration Disposal
monohydrate Solid: Trash
Sodium Sulfate, White Crystalline Any Liquid: Drain
anhydrous powder Powder Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Sorbitol White Crystalline Any Liquid: Drain
Powder Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Sucrose Crystals Any Liquid: Drain
Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Tetraethylammonium White Crystalline Any Liquid: Drain
chloride Solid Concentration Disposal
monohydrate Solid: Trash
Thiamine White Granular Any Liquid: Drain
Hydrochloride Powder Concentration Disposal
Solid: Trash
Tris Base Clear colorless Any Liquid: Drain
solution Concentration Disposal
Trypsin Clear colorless Any Liquid: Drain
liquid Concentration Disposal
Yeast Extract Fine Powder Any Solid: Trash
Concentration

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APPENDIX B
HAZARDOUS WASTE TAG

00001
CALTECH
PASADENA, CA.
HAZARDOUS WASTE
IDENTIFICATION TAG
Complete and Attach to Container
When Waste Is First Generated

Date Waste Is First Generated ______________

Department ____________________________
PI ___________________________________
Contact Person _________________________
Lab Location___________________________
Phone Number_________________________

Substance Identification
Do Not Abbreviate / No Chemical Formulas
Component ( List All Quantity
Compounds )

Physical State (check one)

Gas Liquid Solid

Hazard Class ( check one )

Asbestos Flammable Corrosive
Reactive Poison Oxidizer
Other (specify)__________________

I certify that this substance is

accurately described and contained
for safe handling

x_____________________________
Authorized Signature

Date__________________________

California Institute of Technology

Safety Office
Extension 6727

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