RCRA hazardous waste contingency plans

Journal Article · Tue Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Hazmat World; (United States)

OSTI ID:5852260

Wagner, T P ^[1]

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1. Labat-Anderson Inc., Arlington, VA (US)

This paper reports that the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requires hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities (TSDFs) to prepare a contingency plan. The plan is a blueprint for emergency response, and must be designed to minimize health and environmental hazards resulting from fires, explosions or other unplanned hazardous releases. Hazardous waste contingency plans often are neglected and considered an unnecessary regulatory exercise by facility operators. However, an effective contingency plan is a valuable tool for reducing liability, protecting workers and the community, and avoiding costly shutdowns. The requirement under Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) that regulated facilities report to EPA annually on releases to the environment has caused regulators to renew emphasis on the importance of RCRA contingency plans. However, regulatory agencies historically have provided insufficient information on the elements of an adequate contingency plan. Nevertheless, facility operators seriously should consider going beyond minimum regulatory requirements and create a comprehensive contingency plan.

• OSTI ID: 5852260
• Journal Information: Hazmat World; (United States), Journal Name: Hazmat World; (United States) Vol. 4:10; ISSN HMWOE; ISSN 0898-5685
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
097000 -- Biomass Fuels-- Legislation & Regulations-- (1990-)
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
291000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320305 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Industrial Waste Management
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
LAWS
MATERIALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PLANNING
POLLUTION LAWS
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
REGULATIONS
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
US EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ACT
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS
US RESOURCE RECOVERY ACTS
US SUPERFUND
WASTE DISPOSAL ACTS
WASTE PROCESSING PLANTS