Source: https://www.mccoyseminars.com/newsletter/article.cfm?artnum=347
Timestamp: 2019-05-20 21:33:25
Document Index: 502768179

Matched Legal Cases: ['art/1', '§262', '§262', '§262', '§262', '§262', 'art 262', '§262', '§262']

RCRA Review: New Requirements for Satellite Accumulation Containers
New Requirements for Satellite Accumulation Containers
The 2016 generator improvements rule added significant regulatory requirements to the management of satellite accumulation containers. The table below compares those requirements with the 90-day container standards. As you can see, there are now fewer differences.
Federal Requirements for Satellite Accumulation Containers vs. 90-Day Containers
Meeting the closed-container requirement
More flexibility2
Less flexibility2
On the date waste first goes in the container
55 gallons (or 1 quart/1 kg for acute wastes)3
1 SAA containers may also be open when consolidating waste and when venting the container is necessary (e.g., for proper equipment operation or to prevent dangerous situations). [§262.15(a)(4)]
2 Per RO 14826.
3 If the maximum waste volume/weight is exceeded, the excess must be dated and moved within three days. [§262.15(a)(6)] The accumulation limits for acute hazardous wastes are not intended to be additive; so, in cases where a generator has both liquid and solid acute hazardous waste accumulating in a satellite accumulation area, the 1-kg (2.2-lb) limit will apply. [81 FR 85765]
4 A simple reading of §262.15(a)(7), which requires SQGs to comply with emergency procedures in §262.16(b)(9) for their SAAs, will trigger personnel training requirements for SAAs at SQGs. This is true since the SQG personnel training requirements are in §262.16(b)(9)(iii). We think this is inadvertent on EPA’s part based on preamble language where EPA says it decided not to require training for staff at SAAs. “However, EPA would encourage all generators to take appropriate steps to ensure that all employees who work at areas where hazardous waste is accumulated, including at SAAs, or are otherwise involved in hazardous waste management receive sufficient training to ensure that they are familiar with proper handling and emergency procedures.” [81 FR 85797]
5 A satellite container holding hazardous waste that is incompatible with any waste or other materials accumulated nearby in other containers must be separated from the other materials or protected from them by any practical means. EPA mentioned two methods to achieve this compatibility requirement: 1) segregating incompatible wastes onto separate pallets and ensuring that incompatible wastes are separated by at least one pallet width in all directions, and 2) providing drip trays or other secondary containers for satellite containers. [81 FR 85764]
6 The preparedness, prevention, contingency plan, and emergency procedures of Part 262, Subpart M apply to those areas at an LQG facility where hazardous waste is generated (e.g., SAAs) as well as those areas where hazardous waste is accumulated onsite (e.g., 90-day areas). [§262.250]
Some in the regulated community have asked if a 90/180-day container could be used directly to accumulate small amounts of hazardous waste generated on a daily basis (instead of using a satellite container for this purpose). There is no reason why not, as long as all of the §§262.17/262.16 regs are met for the 90/180-day container, respectively. However, EPA has noted in RO 14826 that there is less flexibility in keeping a 90/180-day container closed compared to a satellite container.
Note that sometimes a satellite container can contain much more than 55 gallons of waste for a short period of time. For example, in a large chemical plant or refinery, a reactor might contain 50 cubic yards of catalyst. Hazardous spent catalyst is removed for disposal once every three years and is drained into two roll-off boxes. Because the satellite accumulation regulations don’t specify container sizes, the roll-off boxes can be considered to be satellite containers. [RO 11442] The regulations require that, as soon as more than 55 gallons of catalyst is drained to the first roll-off box, the current date be applied, and all of the catalyst needs to be moved within three days to 1) a 90/180-day accumulation area, 2) a permitted or interim status area or unit, or 3) offsite. Use of the satellite provisions under these circumstances was specifically addressed in the proposed satellite accumulation rule. [48 FR 120] However, EPA recommends that generators contact their state agency for guidance/agreement on how such occurrences should be handled. [RO 14029]