Regulated Waste Management

Mismanaged waste products can cause irreparable damage to the environment, and can pose a serious threat to the health of workers, students, visitors, and contractors at OCC facilities.

Any waste product generated by OCC; no matter what department, service, group, or individual the waste is generated by, must be properly handled, stored, and disposed of.  Waste products include any solid, liquid, or gaseous material that is no longer of use to the college.

 

Regulated waste products typically fall within one of the following categories:

  • Hazardous Wastes (i.e., acids, bases, organic solvents)
  • Liquid Industrial Wastes (i.e., used antifreeze)
  • Biohazardous Wastes  (i.e., blood, serological samples)
  • Universal Wastes  (i.e., fluorescent bulbs, lead/acid batteries)
  • Used Oil  (i.e., crankcase, hydraulic)

The OCC Regulated Waste Management Program explains the proper methods for managing regulated wastes generated by the college.

The employees with the following job titles have specific responsibilities within the program, or supervise those with specific responsibilities within this program, and therefore should become familiar with its contents:

  • Director of Physical Facilities
  • Director of Public Safety
  • Manager of Environmental Health and Safety
  • Dean (Natural Science, Life Science, Automotive, Art, Photography, Dental, Allied Health, Applied Technology)
  • Paraprofessional (Natural Science, Life Science, Automotive, Art, Photography, Dental, Allied Health, EMT, Criminal Justice, Applied Technology and Engineering)
  • Faculty (Natural Science, Life Science, Automotive, Art, Photography, Dental, Allied Health, EMT, Criminal Justice, Applied Technology and Engineering)
  • Adjunct Faculty (Natural Science, Life Science, Automotive, Art, Photography, Dental, Allied Health, EMT, Criminal Justice, Applied Technology and Engineering)
  • Chief Engineer
  • Superintendent
  • Public Safety Sergeant
  • Public Safety Officer
  • Groundskeeper
  • Maintenance
  • Custodian

This program establishes the requirements that Oakland Community College employees must meet in order to properly manage the disposal of regulated wastes, including excess chemicals in laboratories, classrooms, shops, service areas, or any other chemical use areas, as well as biological wastes generated at Oakland Community College. Regulated wastes include hazardous wastes, liquid industrial wastes, used oil, universal wastes, asbestos, and medical wastes, as defined in each applicable regulation.

This program describes:

  1. labeling and notification requirements,
  2. manifesting requirements,
  3. general management of Satellite Accumulation Areas (SAA’s) and hazardous waste storage areas,
  4. guidelines for disposal to the sanitary sewer,
  5. applicable emergency procedures,
  6. pollution prevention and emergency response requirements, and
  7. training and record keeping requirements.

Proper regulated waste management practices are achieved with continual awareness of the regulatory requirements; frequent training for employees; and the use of best management practices. Each full-time or adjunct Faculty, Paraprofessional, Facilities Manager, Superintendent, and Operating Engineer is responsible for ensuring that appropriate regulated waste management practices are followed on a daily basis, and that problems, issues, or concerns are communicated to the Manager of Environmental Health and Safety at 248-232-4234.

OCC Links

Regulated Waste Management Program (PDF document)

Regulated Waste Management Training Module (MS PowerPoint)

External Links

EPA Wastes Site

MDEQ Waste Site