Presented by: Cheryl Burton-Fentress Household Hazardous Waste Program Manager Harris County Watershed Protection Group NAHMMA Conference 2015 HOW TO ENSURE YOUR HHW PROGRAM STAYS SAFE AND COMPLIANT

DO YOU KNOW …… If you have all of the required plans and documents If they are accurate Who to call in the event of a large spill or emergency Which fire department would respond to your facility What to do if you live in a “natural disaster” area Who the CPR/AED certified persons are at your facility or office More than anything, are you ready for a SURPRISE EVENT!

PLANS, DOCUMENTS, & CONTRACTS Do you have the required plans and documents? Operations / Health & Safety Plan Training Manual SPCC Plan (if necessary) Hazard Communication Plan with the GHS added All local, State, and federal documents necessary to operate Are they updated? Periodically confirm the phone numbers listed … On your Emergency call list For vendors not frequently used Operating /Packing procedures, Emergency Procedures, etc. Follow everything in them Contracts Make sure the contact information is up to date The vendor is still active

LET’S DISCUSS EMERGENCIES September is National Preparedness Month Acts of nature Hurricane Flood Tornado Earthquake What are the most common situations you would encounter? Spill Fire Lightning / Loss of power Explosions Make sure you incorporate the “not so obvious” situations Burglaries Unknown or violent persons coming into the facility Have an EPA – Emergency Action Plan

WORK WITH YOUR LEPC Stands for Local Emergency Planning Committee Under the EPCRA (Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know ACT) What do they do? Work with local companies to determine the hazards, risks, and emergency response plans to prevent or minimize health & environmental affects after an accident, release, or spill. Foster a valuable dialogue between the public, industry, and government. Are a valuable source of information and training. Partner with you on events. Locate your LEPC by contacting you state SERC (State Emergency Response Commission)

SPILL RESPONSE – ARE YOU READY? When do you need to know about spill response? Do you have a Spill Protocol Plan? Largest possible amount that could spill / you can handle Have enough spill response materials to handle it and know how to use them Know which materials would react with one another Review it frequently and ensure your staff know what to do Who would respond for which type of situation? Current contract with a vendor / disposal vendor PO – one blanket PO or do you need a separate PO Is your vendor familiar with your facility? Especially what you have on site. Don’t let a real spill be the first spill you handle!

GENERAL SAFETY TIPS Have an AED at your facility and make sure at least 3 persons are AED, CPR, and first aid certified. Make sure your staff can tell you where the AED, first aid kit, fire extinguishers, safety showers, fire blankets, and spill equipment are without looking. Make sure you provide water and electrolyte replacing beverages and make sure they drink them. Make your H&S Meetings interesting and applicable to work and home life. Use real life scenarios. Role play for situations they may encounter before reality strikes. Expect the unexpected and be prepared.

MY CHALLENGE TO YOU Go back home to your program and make sure you have: All of the plans and documents you need and make sure they are updated. A spill plan and the proper spill materials (and the right amount) and do a spill drill. Ask you local fire department to conduct a mock fire with your facility. An emergency plan for natural disasters, fires, inclement weather, etc.

KNOW THE NUMBER FOR POISON CONTROL The call is free – the peace of mind is priceless

MY INFORMATION Cheryl Burton Fentress HHW Program Manager Harris County Watershed Protection 6900 Hahl Road Houston TX Phone: