Outsourcing has become the new favorite American pastime.
More than ever, companies are contracting with external operations to take care of the necessary dirty work and other odds and ends so they can focus more on essential tasks.
With the proper disposal of hazardous materials falling out of the purview of most companies, busy entrepreneurs are searching a third-party to take out of the proverbial garbage. Considering that most managers are not up to date on the latest safety regulations and the nuances of proper disposal, it only makes sense for them to call upon the professionals. But what happens when these seasoned pros aren’t so experienced after all?
U.S. Hazmat Storage units could’ve prevent fire
In Tacoma, WA, a hazardous-waste facility was recently reprimanded with a $1.9 million fine for mismanaging hazardous materials. Operating under the auspices of “Burlington Environmental,” Stericycle-Tacoma caught the ire of the state’s ecology department for the improper storage of a hazardous chemical used to inflate vehicle airbags.
“People could have been injured or killed by Stericycle’s mismanagement of these dangerous materials,” said Maia Bellon, Ecology’s director. “They are required by law to meet strict permit conditions. This incident shows a complete disregard for the safety of their employees and nearby communities, and that’s totally unacceptable.”
The most recent offense came as a result of a July 2018 incident, in which the facility accepted 510 drums of the airbag chemical, known as tetrazole, before loading them into a rail cart that was destined for a landfill. Had the company contacted Ecology officials for a consultation on the proper disposal method, managers at Burlington Environmental would’ve known that they were required by law to send the drums to an incinerator instead of the landfill. A large fire then erupted while the waste was being processed.
Don’t let civil penalties sink your business, contact U.S. Hazmat Storage today!
An investigation into the incident later revealed that improper documentation and employee training led to the fire in question.
According to a news article, this wasn’t the first time that Burlington Environmental mismanaged dangerous chemicals. In 2014, the company had to pay $14,000 for failing to follow permit requirements.
Transporting and handling dangerous chemicals should never be an afterthought. These dangerous compounds and precursors deserve the same amount of respect as any company’s finished product. As opposed to outsourcing the management of hazardous materials to a third-party, we urge any company to a chemical storage unit from U.S. Hazmat Storage.
Two-hour and Four-hour fire protection can accommodate any workflow
A two-hour or four-hour Hazmat Storage Fire Safe locker could’ve provided adequate protection to prevent a fire similar to the Burlington Environmental fiasco. Made from premium 12-gauge steel, these units could’ve safely isolated the dangerous airbag chemical from accelerants and other sensitive material, ultimately eliminating any possibility of a fire. Our innovate containment sump system can provide a stopgap for similar spills until an emergency response crew can be contacted to clean up the mess. These units can be easily transported and implemented to any company’s workflow processes.
Designed and engineered as a fire rated safety storage solutions, storage lockers allow your operations and plant management teams to work your storage requirements seamlessly into a multitude of workflow processes. From inside your existing operating facilities and workflows, to outside storage from within a 10′ permitter of existing structures. US Hazmat Storage can provide compliant storage for your needs.