Chemical Waste Satellite Accumulation Area Safety & Compliance Requirements

Each point of generation (e.g. laboratory) at the College generating hazardous waste is considered a Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA). If certain requirements are not met, the SAA will then become a Central Accumulation Facility (CAF) and be required to follow all such regulations which apply to a CAF. The requirements of a CAF are time-consuming and impractical for individual laboratories or other areas at the point of generation. Therefore, it is essential to maintain SAA status. Use the following guide to ensure safety and compliance with all federal, state and local requirements:

EHS Chemical Waste Satellite Accumulation Area




Keep an area of the laboratory, or other points of waste generation,
designated for chemical waste only and label as such.








 

 

Chemical Waste Containers

Keep all chemical waste in an appropriate container (screw type lid) and closed at all times waste is not being added.

 






 



 





Mark containers with the appropriate Hazardous Waste labels. You may request labels from EHS free of charge, or download printer-friendly labels from our website.



 



 

Health and Safety Door Sign

Post a Health and Safety door sign in the entryway of the facility. If the laboratory does not have the door sign or it needs to be updated, please contact your Safety Advisor.







 

 

 

 

Silver Recovery


When using photoprocessing chemicals, follow the PDF iconphotographic processing waste management procedures, which require photographic waste to either be processed for silver recovery, or sent to EHS for disposal. The procedure also requires discarded negatives to be sent to EHS for recycling/disposal.

 

 



 

Chemical Collection Request Form





 

Complete a chemical collection request form to request collection of chemical waste. There is no charge for this service.

 

 

  



 

Chemical Spill


 

Clean up any chemical spills immediately. Contact EHS for assistance if necessary.

 

 

 



 

 

 

Waste Disposal Procedures



Keep a copy of the Waste Disposal Procedures Guide in a location that all personnel are aware of. Contact EHS to request copies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WCM EHS

Determine what chemicals may be placed in the sewer or trash according to the PDF iconWCM Drain and Trash Disposal Procedures.

Make sure all laboratory personnel are trained for proper chemical waste management activities. This includes chemical hygiene plan training, attendance on an annual basis, and providing specific instructions based on waste generated in each point of generation.

 

 



 

Chemical Waste Audit





 

Complete a PDF iconchemical waste audit of your laboratory, or other point of chemical waste generation, regularly to ensure compliance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utilize secondary containment in waste accumulation areas to hold potential spills from containers, and to segregate incompatible wastes (e.g. oxidizers from flammables).

 

 

 

 



 

Chemical Inventory

Maintain a current inventory of all chemicals. Ensure that a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is available for each chemical. If chemicals are no longer needed, dispose of them.

 



 

 

Surplus Electronics

 

When discarding electronics, follow the PDF iconSurplus Electronics Recycling Procedure.

Contact Us

Go to the staff directory for individual contacts within EHS. You may also use the Weill Cornell Medicine online directory to search for faculty and staff.

Create an EHS Incident

 

Weill Cornell Medicine Environmental Health and Safety 402 East 67th Street
Room LA-0020
New York, NY 10065 Phone: (646) 962-7233 Fax: (646) 962-0288