The Contingency Plan

Each hazardous waste facility must have a contingency plan for emergency response. The plan must be designed to minimize any hazard to human health or the environment that may result from fires, explosions, or any unplanned release of hazardous wastes into the air, soil, or surface water; and must be put into action immediately in the event of any of these emergency situations.

The contingency plan must include information such as the arrangements that have been agreed to by local emergency response organizations, hospitals, and contractors, and state-level organizations; an updated list of around-the-clock contact information for all people who are qualified to act in the role of emergency coordinator; an updated list of all emergency equipment present at the facility; and a personnel evacuation plan. The owner or operator of the facility is required to maintain the contingency plan and update it as needed.

Copies of the contingency plan and any revisions to it must be kept at the waste facility. In addition, the owner or operator must submit copies of the plan to all local and state police, fire departments, and rescue teams who may be called upon in the event of an emergency.

To learn more about RCRA safety standards visit our RCRA Refresher Online Training web page.