New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 7 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › Chapter 26A - RECYCLING RULES › Subchapter 4 - DESIGN AND OPERATIONAL STANDARDS AND GENERAL RULES FOR RECYCLING CENTERS WHICH RECEIVE, STORE, PROCESS OR TRANSFER CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C AND CLASS D RECYCLABLE MATERIAL › Section 7:26A-4.6 - Additional design and operational standards for recycling centers which receive, store, process, or transfer Class D recyclable materials-latex paints, antifreeze, lamps (light bulbs), oil-based finishes, batteries, mercury-containing equipment and consumer electronics, including universal waste

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) Provisions of this section apply to recycling centers which receive, store, process, or transfer latex paints, antifreeze, lamps, oil-based finishes, batteries, mercury-containing equipment and consumer electronics. Some lamps, oil-based finishes, batteries, mercury-containing equipment and consumer electronics may also be universal wastes. Provisions of this subsection apply equally to those materials which are being handled as universal wastes and those which are not. Universal wastes, when not recycled or destined for recycling under the provisions of this chapter, shall not be handled by a Class D recycling center.
(b) Owners and operators shall comply with the following preparedness and prevention requirements:
1. Facilities shall be maintained and operated to minimize the possibility of a fire, explosion, or any unplanned sudden or non-sudden release of Class D recyclable materials to air, soil, or surface water which could threaten human health or the environment;
2. All facilities shall be equipped with the following, unless none of the hazards posed by the recyclable materials handled at the facility could require a particular kind of equipment specified in (b)2i through iv below:
i. An internal communications or alarm system capable of providing immediate emergency instruction (voice or signal) to facility personnel;
ii. A device, such as a telephone (immediately available at the scene of operations) or a hand-held two-way radio, capable of summoning emergency assistance from local police departments, fire departments, or State or local emergency response teams;
iii. Portable fire extinguishers, fire control equipment (including special extinguishing equipment, such as that using foam, inert gas, or dry chemicals), spill control equipment and decontamination equipment; and
iv. Water at adequate volume and pressure to supply water hose streams, or foam producing equipment, or automatic sprinklers, or water spray systems;
3. All facility communications or alarm systems, fire protection equipment, spill control equipment, and decontamination equipment, where required, shall be tested and maintained as necessary to assure its proper operation in time of emergency;
4. Standards for access to communications or alarm system are as follows:
i. Whenever recyclable materials are being processed or otherwise handled, all personnel involved in the operation shall have immediate access to an internal alarm or emergency communication device, either directly or through visual or voice contact with another employee, unless such a device is not required pursuant to (b)2 above; and
ii. If there is ever only one employee on the premises while the facility is operating, the employee shall have immediate access to a device, such as a telephone (immediately available at the scene of operation) or a hand-held two-way radio, capable of summoning external emergency assistance, unless such a device is not required pursuant to (b)2 above;
5. The owner or operator shall maintain aisle space to allow the unobstructed movement of personnel, fire protection equipment, spill control equipment, and decontamination equipment to any area of facility operation in an emergency, unless aisle space is not needed for any of these purposes; and
6. Standards for arrangements with local authorities are as follow:
i. The owner or operator shall make the following arrangements, as appropriate for the type of recyclable material handled at the facility and the potential need for the services of these organizations:
(1) Arrangements to familiarize police, fire departments, and emergency response teams with the layout of the facility, properties of recyclable material handled at the facility and associated hazards, places where facility personnel would normally be working, entrances to roads inside the facility, and possible evacuation routes;
(2) Where more than one police and fire department might respond to an emergency, agreements designating primary emergency authority to a specific police and a specific fire department, and agreements with any others to provide support to the primary emergency authority;
(3) Agreements with State emergency response teams, emergency response contractors, and equipment suppliers; and
(4) Arrangements to familiarize local hospitals with the properties of recyclable materials handled at the facility and the types of injuries or illnesses which could result from fires, explosions, or releases at the facility; and
ii. Where State or local authorities decline to enter into such arrangements, the owner or operator shall document the refusal in the operating record.