June 1, 2016

You should not pour Lab Waste down the drain

In some cases, lab waste may be excluded from hazardous waste regulations when properly discharged to a sewer system and mixed with domestic sewage that will be treated in a publically owned treatment works (POTW).

In other cases, pouring lab waste down the drain is considered impermissible dilution. Also, some wastes are prohibited from being introduced into a POTW. Midwest Environmental Services can provide guidance on how you may properly dispose of your lab waste. In addition, Midwest Environmental Services provides lab pack disposal which is perfectly suited for proper identification, removal and disposal of small quantities of lab chemicals.

Please contact Midwest Environmental Services, Lab Pack Manager at 513-681-9990 and allow us to evaluate your situation to determine a compliant course of action.

Filed Under: Consulting, Waste Disposal
January 8, 2016

Energy efficient lighting can save your business money

Midwest Environmental Services understands that if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an energy efficient bulb, we would save enough energy to light 2 million homes for a year and prevent roughly 6 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions from being released into the atmosphere which is why Midwest Environmental Services is prepared to do its part to help.

When replacing your old florescent lamps with more energy efficient lighting, be aware that those old lamps should not be thrown into the trash or treated like solid waste due to their Mercury hazard. In our effort to Go Green, Midwest Environmental Services has developed a Universal Waste Recycling Program to safely and efficiently manage those environmentally harmful items, including light ballasts and light fixtures.

To learn more contact a Midwest Environmental Services representative at 513-681-9990.

Filed Under: Consulting, Recycling
December 1, 2015

A hazardous waste determination tool is being considered

Midwest Environmental Services understands that making a hazardous waste determination of your waste is very important and has long term consequences, which is why a software development tool may be in our future.

Midwest Environmental Services would like to report that EPA is considering whether the development of an electronic hazardous waste determination decision tool is feasible and by whom. Midwest Environmental Services envisions a web based software which would guide generators through a series of analytical decision type Yes or No questions to assist them in determining whether the solid waste they generated is also a hazardous waste subject to RCRA hazardous waste regulations.

If you would like to learn more about the status of this new development tool or guidance about your own waste determination, please contact Midwest Environmental Services at 513-681-9990

Filed Under: Consulting, Waste Disposal
November 2, 2015

Regulations for generator status may change

Midwest Environmental Services is reviewing the proposed rule changes which would revise the hazardous waste small quantity generator definition as well as other regulatory changes.

In addition, Midwest Environmental Services has learned that EPA has proposed to change the name of conditionally exempt small quantity generator (CESQG) category to very small quantity generator (VSQG).

Specifically, EPA proposes to revise certain components of the hazardous waste generator regulatory program, address gaps in regulations, provide greater flexibility for generators to manage their waste and to reorganized the hazardous waste generator regulations to make them more user-friendly.

Contact Midwest Environmental Services at 513-681-9990 to learn more about the proposed rule changes.

Filed Under: Consulting, Waste Disposal
October 1, 2015

E-Manifests will soon be available for shipments

For a while the EPA and other stakeholders have sought to transform the hazardous waste manifest system from its current paper-based approach to one that takes greater advantage of electronic information technologies. Midwest Environmental Services generally supports the e-Manifest rationale which is aimed at adopting an electronic manifesting approach that would allow waste shipments to be tracked electronically, thereby mitigating the burdens and inefficiencies associated with the use of paper manifest forms.

Midwest Environmental Services is currently reviewing the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act (“the Act”) signed into law by the President. The Act authorizes the EPA to establish and implement an e-Manifest System in partnership with industry and the states by 2015. The Act also requires EPA to adopt an e-Manifest regulation authorizing e-Manifests that are created and transmitted through the use of the e-Manifest System by October 5, 2013.

The scope of the e-Manifest will extend to all federally and state regulated wastes that require a manifest; use of e-Manifest, however, is optional to users.

To learn more about the new e-Manifest option please contact the Hamilton Ohio office at 513-681-9990.

Filed Under: Consulting, HazCom, Transportation, Waste Disposal
September 1, 2015

Aqueous Parts Washers Could Be Hazardous Waste

Midwest Environmental Services understands that the use of an aqueous parts washer could save you money, as well as time. It also may result in limiting employee exposure to harmful chemicals.

Aqueous parts washers sometimes use cleaning agents which rely more on physical mechanisms such as agitation and heating, to get parts clean. There will be environmental advantages when you are able to use less toxic cleaning agents. Although some water-based parts washers may not contain solvents, Midwest Environmental Services will carefully evaluate each waste stream to determine if it should be classified as a hazardous waste.

EPA waste evaluation requirements pertain to every waste stream generated by your business, including waste generated from aqueous parts washers. When evaluating waste from your parts washer, you must consider the cleaning agent used as well as the material being cleaned from the part. Midwest Environmental Services can help you make the right decision to keep your business safe and compliant.

To learn more contact Midwest Environmental Services at 513-681-9990.

Filed Under: Consulting, Waste Disposal
July 1, 2015

OSHA issued a final rule to increase protection for construction workers

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration on May 1, 2015 issued a final rule to increase protections for construction workers in confined spaces.

Midwest Environmental Services, Inc. has taken the necessary actions to ensure that all requirements, in the general and construction industry have been met. The rule will provide construction workers with protections similar to those in manufacturing and general industry, which has been established for the past two decades, with some differences tailored specifically to the construction industry.

Midwest Environmental Services, Inc. has successfully provided confined space services for over three decades and looks forward in supporting these new protections to keep our customers and employees safe.

Please feel free to contact Midwest Environmental Services Inc. Consulting Service Division at 502-491-0991 for any questions you have regarding confined space training or services requiring confined space entry.

Filed Under: Consulting, OSHA, Training
May 1, 2015

Many of the OSHA, EPA and USDOT regulations that may affect your business have personnel training requirements

Some of the required training programs allow for a generic approach to training your employees, while others require a program tailored to your operations or facility. For example, the OSHA requirement for training for Powered Industrial Trucks (fork lifts) is essentially the same at all facilities; however, training under OSHA’s Hazard Communications Standard (a.k.a., the Worker Right-to-Know) is specific to the hazardous substances used and handled by your company.

Further, some personnel training programs are required annually, while others may be required only every 3-years. The training programs may dovetail with other regulatory programs. For example, there are OSHA regulations that specifically address personnel training for certain hazardous waste operations.

Many of these training programs require a significant commitment of your resources to both develop and present, or to merely attend. Further, logistical challenges may exist when scheduling personnel for training.

Midwest Environmental Services’ Consulting Services Division can assist your company by providing the expertise you need to help you comply with the myriad OSHA, EPA, and DOT training programs that may affect you.

A few examples of training programs that are frequently developed and presented by Midwest include:

OSHA Training Programs
• Hazard Communication Standard; 29 CFR 1910.1200
• Personal Protective Equipment; 29 CFR 1910.132
• Respiratory Protection; 29 CFR 1910.134
• Confined Space Entry; 29 CFR 1910.146
• Zero Energy Lock-Out /Tag-Out Isolation; 29 CFR 1910.147
• Bloodborne Pathogens; 29 CFR 1910.1030
• Hearing Conservation; 29 CFR 1910.95
• Confined Space Entry Entrant, Attendant, & Supervisor Emergency Rescue; 29 CFR 1910.146
• Fire Extinguisher Handling/Usage; 29 CFR 1910.157
• Powered Industrial Trucks; 29 CFR 1910.178
• OSHA 10/30-Hour General Industry Outreach

OSHA and EPA-related Programs
• OSHA 40-Hour Hazardous Waste Operations; 29 CFR 1910.120
• OSHA 8-Hour Hazardous Waste Operations Refresher; 29 CFR 1910.120
• Spill Prevention Control & Countermeasures; 40 CFR Part 112
• Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans; 40 CFR 122.6

US DOT Training
Hazardous Materials; 49 CFR Subpart H Part 172

Are you meeting the requirements of applicable OSHA, DOT, and EPA regulations that affect your business? Is your Human Resource Department aware of these regulations? Know what is required to protect your business from potential liabilities. Midwest Environmental Services, Inc.’s, Consulting Services Division, can assist you with solutions to all your questions related to Regulatory Compliance and occupational safety and environmental risks. Please visit our website at www.midwestenvironmentalservices.com for further information.

Don’t wait to find out the hard way that you should have assessed the regulations that affect your employees. Contact Midwest Environmental Services at 800-388-5160 or our Consulting Services Division at 502-491-0991, and inquire about regulatory compliance assessment and auditing, and any safety or environmental compliance training services needs you have.

Midwest Environmental Services, Inc. is ready to support your business’ compliance to the myriad environmental and safety regulations. Midwest Environmental Services continually works to improve our professional services to help ensure that our valuable clients receive prompt, professional attention.

Filed Under: Consulting, Training
April 1, 2015

Midwest Environmental Services offers sampling and analytical services that cover a variety of sample types

Wastewater, groundwater, soil, sediments, oils, sludge, solid wastes, and other samples are collected then analyzed by either of our two Midwest Environmental Services laboratories located Charlestown, IN, or Keisland, OH.

Midwest Environmental Services sample analyses include but are not limited to: flashpoint, pH, specific gravity, Btu’s, %chlorides, %bs&w, %acidity, %alkalinity, oxidizer screening, sulfide screening, cyanide screening, PCB, and metals analysis.

Each sample stream that is a new or unknown is collected and analyzed for the appropriate constituents. The analyses are then used to formulate a sample profile sheet that contains a unique number specific to that sample stream. After the sample profile is approved by Midwest Environmental Services Approvals Department, the stream can be processed accordingly. All incoming and outgoing materials are monitored to ensure that all state, local, and federal levels are met.

Please feel free to contact Midwest Environmental Services at 513-681-9990 for any questions you have regarding our laboratory and or sample stream processing capabilities.

Filed Under: Consulting, Lab Analysis Tagged With:
December 1, 2014

You Should Not Pour Lab Waste Down the Drain

In some cases, lab waste may be excluded from hazardous waste regulations when properly discharged to a sewer system and mixed with domestic sewage that will be treated in a publically owned treatment works (POWT).

In other cases pouring lab waste down the drain is considered impermissible dilution. Also, some wastes are prohibited from being introduced into a POTW. Midwest Environmental Services can provide guidance on how you may properly dispose of your lab waste. In addition, Midwest Environmental Services provides lab pack disposal which is perfectly suited for proper removal of small quantities of lab generated waste.

Please contact Midwest Environmental Services and allow us to evaluate your situation to determine a compliant course of action.

 

Filed Under: Consulting, Waste Disposal