SOP for Disposal of Flammable and Combustible Waste

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SOP for Disposal of Flammable and Combustible Waste

Standard Operating Procedure for Disposal of Flammable and Combustible Waste

1) Purpose

The purpose of this SOP is to outline the safe handling, storage, and disposal of flammable and combustible waste materials to minimize risks of fire, explosion, and environmental hazards while ensuring regulatory compliance.

2) Scope

This SOP applies to all employees and personnel involved in the generation, handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of flammable and combustible waste in manufacturing, laboratories, warehouses, and other facilities.

3) Responsibilities

  • Supervisors: Ensure the implementation of this SOP and conduct regular training for staff on flammable waste handling and disposal procedures.
  • Employees: Segregate, label, and store flammable waste as per guidelines.
  • Waste Management Team: Oversee collection, transportation, and safe disposal of flammable and combustible waste.
  • Safety Officers: Conduct periodic inspections to identify and mitigate fire hazards.

4) Procedure

4.1 Definition of Flammable and Combustible Waste

Flammable and combustible waste includes materials capable of igniting under certain conditions:

  • Flammable Liquids: Solvents, paints, alcohols, petroleum products
  • Flammable Solids: Chemicals, oily rags, residues, combustible dust
  • Combustible Waste: Waste oils, fuels, grease, varnishes
  • Flammable Aerosols: Pressurized spray cans containing flammable contents
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4.2 Segregation and Identification of Flammable Waste

  1. Segregation Process:
    • Segregate flammable and combustible waste at the point of generation.
    • Do not mix flammable waste with non-flammable or
incompatible waste types (e.g., oxidizers).

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  • Use of Color-Coded Containers:
    • Red containers: For flammable liquids and solvents
    • Yellow containers: For oily rags, combustible solids, and aerosols
  • Labeling of Containers:
    • Mark containers with “FLAMMABLE WASTE” or “COMBUSTIBLE WASTE.”
    • Include details such as:
      • Type of waste
      • Date of generation
      • Source location

    • 4.3 Storage of Flammable and Combustible Waste

    1. Storage Area Requirements:
      • Store flammable waste in designated areas equipped with ventilation and fire suppression systems.
      • Maintain a minimum distance of 10 meters between storage areas and ignition sources (e.g., electrical equipment, heaters).
      • Ensure secondary containment (e.g., spill trays) for liquid flammable waste to prevent leaks or spills.

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    2. Safety Precautions:
      • Keep storage containers sealed and grounded to prevent static charge buildup.
      • Post “No Smoking” and “Flammable Waste Storage” warning signs in the area.
    3. Inventory Management:
      • Record all stored flammable and combustible waste in the Waste Storage Log (Annexure 1).
      • Inspect storage containers weekly for leaks, damages, or pressure build-up.

    4.4 Transportation of Flammable Waste

    1. Internal Transport:
      • Transport flammable waste using grounded, spill-proof containers.
      • Use designated carts and ensure containers are sealed during transportation.

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    2. External Transport:
      • Coordinate with licensed hazardous waste disposal vendors.
      • Ensure waste is transported in compliance with local hazardous waste transport regulations.
      • Obtain transportation manifests for each shipment.

    4.5 Disposal of Flammable and Combustible Waste

    1. Disposal Methods:
      • Dispose of flammable liquids and solvents through high-temperature incineration at authorized facilities.
      • Oily rags and combustible solids must be disposed of via thermal destruction.
      • Pressurized aerosols must be punctured in approved equipment before disposal to prevent explosions.

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    2. Vendor Coordination:
      • Partner with authorized disposal vendors with proper licenses for hazardous and flammable waste management.
      • Obtain disposal certificates for compliance records.
    3. Record-Keeping:
      • Document disposal activities, including waste type, quantity, disposal date, and vendor details, in the Flammable Waste Disposal Log (Annexure 2).

    4.6 Emergency Spill and Fire Management

    1. Spill Response:
      • Immediately isolate the spill area and use absorbent materials designed for flammable liquids.
      • Dispose of used absorbents as hazardous waste.
      • Report the incident to the Safety Officer and document in the Spill Incident Log.

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    2. Fire Management:
      • Activate fire alarms and evacuate the area.
      • Use Class B fire extinguishers (foam or CO2) to suppress flammable liquid fires.
      • Notify the emergency response team for further assistance.

    5) Abbreviations, if any

    • PPE: Personal Protective Equipment
    • MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheet

    6) Documents, if any

    • Flammable Waste Storage Log
    • Flammable Waste Disposal Log
    • Spill Incident Log
    • Vendor Certificates

    7) Reference, if any

    • OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations Standard (29 CFR 1910.120)
    • EPA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
    • NFPA 30: Flammable Liquids Code

    8) SOP Version

    Version: 1.0

    Annexure

    Template 1: Flammable Waste Storage Log

     
     
     Date Waste Type Quantity (Liters/Kg) Storage Location Handled By 
     
     DD/MM/YYYY Solvent Waste 50 Liters Flammable Waste Room John Doe

    Template 2: Flammable Waste Disposal Log

     
     
     Date Waste Type Quantity Disposal Method Vendor Name Certificate Number 
     
     DD/MM/YYYY Oily Rags 20 Kg Incineration XYZ Waste Management CERT-001
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