(1) Applicability. The regulations in this section apply to owners and operators of all dangerous waste facilities that store dangerous waste in containers.

(2) Condition of containers. If a container holding dangerous waste is not in good condition (e.g., severe corroding or rusting or flaking or scaling, and/or apparent structural defects) or if it begins to leak, the owner or operator must transfer the dangerous waste from the container to a container that is in good condition or manage the waste in some other way that complies with the requirements of chapter 173-303 WAC. In addition, the owner or operator must address leaks and spills in accordance with the applicable provisions of WAC 173-303-145 and 173-303-360.

(3) Identification of containers. The owner or operator storing dangerous waste in containers must do the following:

(a) Clearly label or mark containers with the words "Dangerous Waste" or "Hazardous Waste." Except for containers one gallon (or four liters) and under, the lettering must be legible from a distance of twenty-five feet or the lettering size is a minimum of one-half inch in height.

(b) Clearly label or mark containers with an indication of the hazards of the contents (examples include, but are not limited to, the applicable dangerous waste characteristic(s) and criteria of ignitable, corrosive, reactive and toxic and the applicable hazard(s) identified for listed dangerous wastes). The label or marking must be:

(i) Legible and/or recognizable from a distance of twenty-five feet or the lettering size is a minimum of one-half inch in height; and

(ii) Include descriptive word(s) and/or pictogram(s) that identifies the hazards associated with the contents of the containers for employees, emergency response personnel, waste handlers, and the public; for containers one gallon (or four liters) and under the label, marking or lettering can be appropriate for the size of the container.

(c) Affix labels upon transfer of dangerous wastes from one container to another. The owner or operator must destroy or otherwise remove labels from the emptied container, unless the container will continue to be used for storing dangerous waste at the facility.

(d) Ensure that labels are not obscured, removed, or otherwise unreadable in the course of inspection required under WAC 173-303-320.

(4) Compatibility of waste with containers. The owner or operator must use a container made of or lined with materials which will not react with, and are otherwise compatible with, the dangerous waste to be stored, so that the ability of the container to contain the waste is not impaired.

(5) Management of containers.

(a) A container holding dangerous waste must always be closed, except when it is necessary to add or remove waste.

(b) A container holding dangerous waste must not be opened, handled, or stored in a manner which may rupture the container or cause it to leak.

(c) A minimum thirty-inch aisle space separation is required between rows of containers. A row of containers must be no more than two wide and allow for unobstructed inspection of each container.

(6) Inspections. The owner or operator must conduct "weekly inspections" (as defined in WAC 173-303-040), of areas where containers are stored, looking for leaking containers and for deterioration of containers and the containment system caused by corrosion, deterioration, or other factors. The owner or operator must keep a written or electronic inspection log including at least the date and time of the inspection, the printed name and the handwritten or electronic signature of the inspector, a notation of the observations made and the date and nature of any repairs or remedial actions taken. The log must be kept at the facility for at least five years from the date of inspection.

(7) Containment.

(a) Container storage areas must have a containment system that is capable of collecting and holding spills and leaks. In addition to the necessary leak containment capacity, uncovered storage areas must be capable of holding the additional volume that would result from the precipitation of a maximum twenty-five year storm of twenty-four hours duration. The containment system must:

(i) Have a base underlying the containers which is free of cracks or gaps and is sufficiently impervious to contain leaks, spills, and accumulated rainfall until the collected material is detected and removed. The base must be sloped or the containment system must be otherwise designed and operated to drain and remove liquids resulting from leaks, spills, or precipitation, unless the containers are elevated or are otherwise protected from contact with accumulated liquids;

(ii) Be designed for positive drainage control (such as a locked drainage valve) to prevent release of contaminated liquids and so that uncontaminated precipitation can be drained promptly for convenience of operation. Spilled or leaked waste and accumulated precipitation must be removed from the containment system in as timely a manner as is necessary to prevent overflow; and

(iii) Have sufficient capacity to contain ten percent of the volume of all containers or the volume of the largest container, whichever is greater. Only containers holding free liquids, or holding wastes designated as F020, F021, F022, F023, F026, or F027 need to be considered in this determination.

(b) Run-on into the containment system must be prevented, unless the department waives this requirement in the permit after determining that the collection system has sufficient excess capacity in addition to that required in (a)(iii) of this subsection to accommodate any run-on which might enter the system.

(c) Storage areas that store containers holding only wastes that do not contain free liquids, do not exhibit either the characteristic of ignitability or reactivity as described in WAC 173-303-090 (5) or (7), and are not designated as F020, F021, F022, F023, F026, or F027, need not have a containment system as described in this subsection: Provided, That:

(i) The storage area is sloped or is otherwise designed and operated to drain and remove liquid resulting from precipitation; or

(ii) The containers are elevated or are otherwise protected from contact with accumulated liquids.

(d) The department may require owners and operators to protect their containers from the elements by means of a building or other protective covering if the department determines that such protection is necessary to prevent a release of waste or waste constituents due to the nature of the waste or design of the container. The building or other protective covering must allow adequate inspection under subsection (6) of this section.

(8) Special requirements for ignitable or reactive waste.

(a) Containers holding reactive waste exhibiting a characteristic specified in WAC 173-303-090 (7)(a)(vi), (vii) or (viii) must be stored in a manner equivalent to the separation distances for storage of explosives in the International Fire Code, 2015 edition, or the version adopted by the local fire district.

(b) The owner or operator must design, operate, and maintain ignitable waste and reactive waste (other than a reactive waste which must meet (a) of this subsection) container storage in a manner equivalent with the International Fire Code. Where no specific standard or requirements are specified in the International Fire Code, or in existing state or local fire codes, applicable sections of the NFPA 30 "Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code," must be used. The owner/operator must also comply with the requirements of WAC 173-303-395 (1)(d).

(9) Special requirements for incompatible wastes.

(a) Incompatible wastes, or incompatible wastes and materials must not be placed in the same container, unless WAC 173-303-395 (1)(b) is complied with.

(b) Dangerous waste must not be placed in an unwashed container that previously held an incompatible waste or material.

(c) A storage container holding a dangerous waste that is incompatible with any waste or other materials stored nearby in other containers, piles, open tanks, or surface impoundments must be separated from the other materials or protected from them by means of a dike, berm, wall, or other device. Containment systems for incompatible wastes must be separate.

(10) Closure. At closure, all dangerous waste and dangerous waste residues must be removed from the containment system. Remaining containers, liners, bases, and soil containing or contaminated with dangerous waste or dangerous waste residues must be decontaminated or removed.

(11) Air emission standards. The owner or operator must manage all hazardous waste placed in a container in accordance with the applicable requirements of 40 C.F.R. Part 264, Subparts AA, BB, and CC, which are incorporated by reference at WAC 173-303-690 through 173-303-692.

PDFWAC 173-303-630

Use and management of containers.