The topic of hazardous waste disposal for businesses is a complex one. There are logistical challenges, and adherence to the laws is a must. On top of that, you have a critical environmental responsibility to do the right thing. All of this adds up to either positive or negative optics, by the way, since the world is always watching and people seem ready to either sing your praises if you are proactive or pounce if you do what they deem to be the wrong thing. Stay ahead of the laws and any potential for negative press by staying within the governing regulations. Here are some tips to help you along the way.
Properly Dispose of Hazardous Waste Materials
In the past, some companies may have thrown out hazardous materials with the rest of the day’s garbage. There was little thought for where the chemicals would end up, as long as they were gone. Essentially, the world had an out of sight, out of mind mentality. While that may have once been the standard way of doing business, that is thankfully no longer the case.
In today’s world, there are options for how to manage hazardous waste disposal. Your best bet and most effective strategy is to work with a licensed and professional hazardous waste removal company that understands the best practices for dealing with dangerous and potentially volatile chemicals. They know how to transport and store the materials so that everything and everyone is safe every step of the way, from the moment they pick up the materials at your place of business to the final step when the materials are properly disposed of.
Maintain Safety Standards
When your employees work with hazardous materials, you need to take extra precautions to keep them safe while they perform their jobs. Focus on equipping them with the highest quality personal protective equipment and safety gear. Anything less is tantamount to a critical failure and opens you up to a potential lawsuit.
Before the hazardous materials have been picked up by your contracted disposal company, any storage vessel that contains hazardous materials must be clearly labelled with large and visible warning descriptions of the contents contained within them. The date of storage and an employee’s initials or signature on the label, along with corresponding documentation in a spreadsheet or binder, are essential checks and balances that will help with safety inspections.
Reduce Your Company’s Liability
When you choose to work with a reputable hazardous waste disposal company, you are not only reducing your liability and removing the potentially dangerous chemicals from your company’s property, but you are doing so much more. Through proper waste disposal methods, you are ensuring your employees’ exposure to these chemicals is reduced or eliminated. In addition, your efforts will help the planet by preventing illegal dumping and subsequent contamination of groundwater, soil, and the surrounding areas while also protecting local wildlife and the human population.
Doing the right thing for your business is not always easy, but it is essential for the continued success of your company. Take steps to safely contain hazardous material in your workplace and then work with a reliable company to securely remove it from your property before disposing of it under the guidance of the prevailing laws. Taking these measures will help your company, employees, and the planet.
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