SOP Guide for Pharma

SOP for Storage and Transport of Hazardous Waste

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SOP for Storage and Transport of Hazardous Waste

Standard Operating Procedure for Storage and Transport of Hazardous Waste

1) Purpose

The purpose of this SOP is to provide guidelines for the safe storage and transportation of hazardous waste to minimize risks to human health, workplace safety, and the environment while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

2) Scope

This SOP applies to all personnel involved in the handling, storage, internal transport, and external transportation of hazardous waste generated in laboratories, manufacturing units, and other facilities.

3) Responsibilities

  • Supervisors: Ensure proper implementation of hazardous waste storage and transportation procedures.
  • Operators: Safely handle, label, and store hazardous waste as per the guidelines.
  • Waste Management Personnel: Manage internal transport and coordinate with authorized external transport vendors.
  • Safety Officers: Monitor compliance with safety regulations and conduct regular inspections.

4) Procedure

4.1 Classification of Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste must be categorized for safe handling and disposal:

  1. Chemical Waste: Solvents, acids, bases, toxic chemicals, and heavy metal residues
  2. Biological Waste: Contaminated cultures, biological tissues, and infectious materials
  3. Flammable Waste: Solvents, paints, and oils
  4. Reactive Waste: Substances prone to chemical reactions (e.g., peroxide-forming chemicals)
  5. Sharps Waste: Needles, blades, and broken glass contaminated with hazardous materials
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4.2 Storage of Hazardous Waste

  1. Storage Area Requirements:
    • Designate a secure, well-ventilated storage area for hazardous waste.
    • Ensure the area is equipped with
fire suppression systems, spill kits, and emergency eyewash stations.
  • Post clear signage: “HAZARDOUS WASTE STORAGE – RESTRICTED ACCESS.”

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  • Segregation of Waste:
    • Segregate hazardous waste based on compatibility to avoid chemical reactions.
    • Use the following color-coded containers for segregation:
      • Red: Flammable and reactive waste
      • Yellow: Biological and infectious waste
      • Blue: Chemical and toxic waste
      • White: Sharps and contaminated glass
  • Container Guidelines:
    • Use leak-proof, corrosion-resistant, and sealable containers.
    • Label containers with:
      • “HAZARDOUS WASTE”
      • Type of waste
      • Date of generation
      • Hazard symbols (e.g., flammable, toxic, corrosive)
  • Storage Safety Measures:
    • Store incompatible waste types separately (e.g., acids and bases, oxidizers and organics).
    • Ensure waste containers are grounded to prevent static discharge.
    • Inspect storage containers weekly for leaks or damages.

    • 4.3 Internal Transport of Hazardous Waste

    1. Transport Containers:
      • Ensure containers are sealed and labeled before transport.
      • Use spill-proof carts with secondary containment for moving waste internally.

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    2. Personnel Safety:
      • Personnel must wear appropriate PPE (gloves, goggles, aprons, respirators).
      • Handle waste carefully to avoid spills, splashes, or breakage.
    3. Route and Timing:
      • Use designated waste transport routes to minimize exposure risks.
      • Transport waste during non-peak hours to avoid workplace disruption.
    4. Spill Management During Transport:
      • In case of spills, isolate the area and use spill kits to contain and clean the spill.
      • Dispose of cleanup materials as hazardous waste.

    4.4 External Transport of Hazardous Waste

    1. Authorized Vendors:
      • Engage government-authorized hazardous waste disposal vendors for external transport.
      • Verify vendor licenses and compliance certifications.

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    2. Preparation for Transport:
      • Ensure all waste containers are sealed, labeled, and properly documented.
      • Complete hazardous waste transport manifests detailing:
        • Waste type
        • Quantity
        • Storage location
        • Final disposal method
    3. Transport Safety:
      • Use vehicles equipped with secondary containment and spill kits.
      • Transport must comply with hazardous material transportation regulations (e.g., DOT, EPA).
    4. Record-Keeping:
      • Retain transport manifests and disposal certificates for regulatory audits.
      • Update the Hazardous Waste Disposal Log (Annexure 1) regularly.

    4.5 Emergency Preparedness

    1. Emergency Spill Management:
      • Contain and clean spills using designated spill kits.
      • Report incidents immediately to the Safety Officer.

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    2. Fire and Explosion Safety:
      • In case of a fire, activate alarms and use appropriate fire extinguishers (e.g., Class B).
      • Evacuate the area and follow emergency response protocols.

    5) Abbreviations, if any

    • PPE: Personal Protective Equipment
    • DOT: Department of Transportation
    • EPA: Environmental Protection Agency

    6) Documents, if any

    • Hazardous Waste Disposal Log
    • Transport Manifests
    • Vendor Disposal Certificates

    7) Reference, if any

    • Hazardous Waste Management Rules, 2016
    • OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Standards
    • EPA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

    8) SOP Version

    Version: 1.0

    Annexure

    Template 1: Hazardous Waste Disposal Log
    Date Waste Type Quantity Storage Location Vendor Name Certificate Number
    DD/MM/YYYY Flammable Solvent Waste 50 Liters Hazardous Waste Room XYZ Waste Solutions CERT-12345
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