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How to Handle Toxic Waste
- 1). Wear proper protective clothing. This is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself when handling hazardous materials. Protective clothing ranges from using gloves and goggles to jumpsuits and respirators. It all depends on the substance you are handling as to what is needed to protect you. For gases or chemicals that produce fine dust or fumes, masks and respirators are necessary. For highly flammable material you should wear fire-retardant coveralls.
- 2). Handle toxic waste only in appropriate containers that are clearly labeled. Use containers approved specifically to handle the chemical you place in them. Follow EPA standards and protocol when processing waste material, which also includes properly separating gases, liquids and solids. Use only lids provided with the containers to ensure against spills or leaks.
- 3). Use approved labels. Get these from EHS (Environmental Health and Safety) and fill out the appropriate information. If there is already a label on the container but it is irrelevant, either remove it or mark it out and place the new label on the container.
- 4). Arrange to have toxic waste picked up and disposed of by EHS.
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