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Original Date: 09/14/1998
Revision Date: 01/18/2007
Information : Waste Segregation Process
The spent hazardous chemical collection process, previously done at Raytheon Missile Systems Company (RMSC), was inefficient and created opportunities for regulatory non-compliance, incorrect treatment, and storage problems due to chemical incompatibilities. The chemical handlers would collect the spent material; transport them to the hazardous waste treatment facility; and wait for environmental managers to instruct them on the correct way to process each container. The manufacturing process and/or constituents of the hazardous material dictated the method of disposal or treatment. As a result, backlogs of unprocessed material were common, and created safety and regulatory liabilities for the company.
To resolve this situation, RMSC’s Waste Operations Team created a documentation process that uses labeling codes and a corresponding work instruction list. The users place labeling codes on all waste containers (e.g., small tote pans, 55-gallon drums) before the chemical handlers pick up the spent material. These labels identify the chemical constituents and the process in which they were used. After transporting the materials to the treatment facility, the chemical handlers reference the codes to the work instruction list to determine the proper segregation, treatment, and/or disposal procedures in accordance with RMSC and regulatory policies. The chemical handlers can now process the spent chemicals without managerial guidance. RMSC’s documentation process helps reduce non- compliance, incorrect treatment, and storage problems. In addition, the process ensures that waste is handled according to environmental regulations as soon as it arrives at the treatment facility.
The chemical handling procedure list contains instructions for 90% of all chemicals used at RMSC. Since implementing this documentation process, RMSC increased efficiency and safety at its hazardous waste treatment facility, decreased company liabilities, improved labor performance of the chemical handlers, and reduced the time required for oversight by environmental managers by 25%.
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