Md. Code Regs. 26.13.05.03

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 12, June 14, 2024

Section 26.13.05.03 - Preparedness and Prevention

A. Applicability. This regulation applies to owners and operators of all hazardous waste facilities, except as Regulation .01A, of this chapter, otherwise provides.

B. Design and Operation of Facility. Facilities shall be designed, constructed, maintained, and operated to minimize the possibility of a fire, explosion, or any unplanned sudden or non-sudden release of hazardous waste or hazardous waste constituents to air, soil, or surface water which could threaten human health or the environment.

C. Required Equipment. All facilities shall be equipped with the following, unless it can be demonstrated to the Secretary that none of the hazards posed by waste handled at the facility could require a particular kind of equipment specified below:

(1) An internal communications or alarm system capable of providing immediate emergency instruction (voice or signal) to facility personnel;

(2) 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;

(3) 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

(4) Water at adequate volume and pressure to supply water hose streams, or foam producing equipment, or automatic sprinklers, or water spray systems.

D. Testing and Maintenance of Equipment. 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.

E. Access to Communications or Alarm System.

(1) Whenever hazardous waste is being poured, mixed, spread, or otherwise handled, all personnel involved in the operation shall have immediate access to an internal alarm or emergency communications device, either directly or through visual or voice contact with another employee, unless the Secretary has ruled that such a device is not required under §C of this regulation.

(2) If there is ever just 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 the Secretary has ruled that such a device is not required under §C of this regulation.

F. Required Aisle Space. 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 it can be demonstrated to the Secretary that aisle space is not needed for any of these purposes.

G. Special Handling for Ignitable or Reactive Waste. The owner or operator shall take precautions to prevent accidental ignition or reaction of ignitable or reactive waste by:

(1) Separating and protecting the waste from sources of ignition or reaction including but not limited to:

(a) Open flames;

(b) Smoking;

(c) Cutting and welding;

(d) Hot surfaces;

(e) Frictional heat;

(f) Sparks, including electrical sparks, sparks caused by static electricity, and mechanically-caused sparks;

(g) Spontaneous ignition, such as ignition caused by heat-producing chemical reactions; and

(h) Radiant heat;

(2) Confining smoking and open flame, while ignitable or reactive waste is being handled, to specially designated locations where smoking or open flame will not create a risk of causing the waste to ignite or react; and

(3) Conspicuously placing "No Smoking" signs wherever there is a hazard from ignitable or reactive waste.

H. Arrangements With Local Authorities.

(1) The owner or operator shall attempt to make the following arrangements, as appropriate for the type of waste handled at his facility and the potential need for the services of these organizations:

(a) Arrangements to familiarize police, fire departments, and emergency response teams with the layout of the facility, properties of hazardous waste handled at the facility and associated hazards, places where facility personnel would normally be working, entrances to and roads inside the facility and possible evacuation routes;

(b) When 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. Agreements with State emergency response teams, emergency response contractors, and equipment suppliers; and

(c) Arrangements to familiarize local hospitals with the properties of hazardous waste handled at the facility and the types of injuries or illnesses which could result from fires, explosions, or releases at the facility.

(2) When State or local authorities decline to enter into these arrangements, the owner or operator shall document the refusal in the operating record.

Md. Code Regs. 26.13.05.03

Regulations .03 adopted as an emergency provision effective November 18, 1980 (7:25 Md. R. S-1); adopted permanently effective April 3, 1981 (8:7 Md. R. 642)
Regulations .03 amended effective January 31, 1983 (10:2 Md. R. 110); amended effective 48:9 Md. R. 359, eff. 5/3/2021