EPA Compliance Action Plan
EPA Compliance Action Plan For Principle Investigators And Area Supervisors
- Inform your staff of the pending inspection and be sure they understand how to comply with EPA regulations. Individuals do not need learn specific EPA requirements, but do need to know appropriate storage and disposal procedures Cornell’s Chemical Waste Procedures. EH&S presents a 1 hour orientation that explains how to store and dispose of hazardous waste safely and how to identify situations that can result in citations by an EPA inspector. Numerous orientations are scheduled at various locations across campus Special orientations can be arranged for groups of 20 or more. To request an orientation, email EH&S at chemwaste@cornell.edu or phone 5-8200. New employees attending EH&S's Chemical Safety for Laboratory Workers program will receive this information as part of the program.
- Initiate a self assessment of your areas. EH&S has prepared a checklist and set of instructions for reviewing laboratories and other types of areas (checklist / instructions). We highly recommend that the self assessment be performed by someone who has attended our orientation program.
- Discard old and unwanted containers of hazardous materials. The easiest way to avoid the most common type of citation by the EPA is to properly dispose of hazardous materials that are no longer valuable. EH&S provides collection and disposal of hazardous waste at no cost. Items need to be prepared and labeled according to our procedures. Special assistance is available for problem materials Cleaning out old stockpiles of chemicals.
- Request an audit from EH&S to confirm the results of your efforts. EH&S will inspect your areas and advise you of our assessment of your compliance status. This should be done after you have completed your own assessment and corrective action. To request an audit, email EH&S at chemwaste@cornell.edu or phone 5-8200 and indicate the building, room and the phone number or email address of a contact person.
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