Large Quantity Generators (LQGs) must operate their facility to minimize the possibility of a fire, explosion or release of hazardous waste to air, soil or surface water, which could threaten public health and the environment.

Required Equipment

The following equipment must be tested and maintained in hazardous waste generation and accumulation areas:

• Internal communication or alarm system (i.e., intercom speaker, siren, fire alarm) capable of providing immediate emergency instruction to facility personnel
• External communications system (i.e., phone or two-way radio) immediately available at operations areas capable of summoning emergency assistance from local police and fire departments, or state or local emergency response teams
• Fire extinguishers, fire control equipment, spill control equipment and decontamination equipment
• Water at adequate volume and pressure to supply water hose streams, or foam producing equipment, or automatic sprinklers or water spray systems

LQGs must have adequate aisle space for the unobstructed movement of staff and emergency equipment during business operations, weekly inspections and emergencies.

Arrangement with Local Authorities

LQGs must attempt to make arrangements with police and emergency response teams including contractors, equipment suppliers and local hospitals, and:

• Familiarize those authorities with:
  • The facility layout
  • Properties of hazardous waste at the facility and their hazards
  • Entrances and evacuation routes
  • Types of potential illnesses that may occur as a result of an emergency
• Designate a primary emergency response authority in places where more than one police or fire department might respond
• Maintain records to document these arrangements or show that attempts were made to make such arrangements

Emergency Coordinator

LQGs must designate an emergency coordinator (or primary, secondary and alternates) who:

• Are available on the facility premises or on call (i.e., available to respond to an emergency by reaching the facility within a short period of time) to coordinate all emergency response measures
• Must be thoroughly familiar with all aspects of the Contingency Plan, all operations and activities at the facility, the location and characteristics of hazardous waste handled, the location of all records within the facility, and the facility's layout
• Must have the authority to commit the resources needed to carry out the contingency plan

Contingency Plan

LQGs must maintain a Contingency Plan that includes:

• Actions facility staff will implement when there is an imminent or actual emergency
• Arrangements with local authorities including:
  • Local police
  • Local fire departments
  • Other emergency response teams and contractors
  • The Local Emergency Planning Committee, if applicable
• Names and emergency telephone numbers of all emergency coordinators
• Name of the primary emergency coordinator if more than one person is listed
• List of all emergency equipment (fire extinguishers, spill control equipment, communications and alarm systems and decontamination equipment) that includes location, physical description and capabilities
• Evacuation plan including primary/alternate routes and a description of evacuation signals

LQGs must prepare a Quick Reference Guide for the Contingency Plan that includes:

• Types of hazardous waste in simple terms
• Hazard associated with each waste (i.e., toxic paint wastes, spent ignitable solvent)
• Estimated maximum amount of each hazardous waste that may be present at any time
• Identification of wastes where exposure may require unique/special medical treatment
• Map of the facility showing where hazardous wastes are generated, accumulated and treated, and routes for accessing these wastes
• Street map of the facility with surrounding businesses, schools and residential areas
• Locations of water supply (i.e., fire hydrant and its flow rate)
• Identification of on-site notification systems (i.e., fire alarms/sirens)
• Name of the emergency coordinator(s) and 24-hour emergency telephone number(s)

LQGs must immediately amend and resubmit the Contingency Plan and Quick Reference Guide when:

• Applicable regulations are revised
• The plan fails in an emergency
• The facility changes (in its design, construction, operation, maintenance or other circumstances) in a way that materially increases the potential for fires, explosions, or releases of hazardous waste or hazardous waste constituents, or changes the response necessary in an emergency
• The list of emergency coordinators changes
• The list of emergency equipment changes

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