Emergency Procedures

If there is an emergency event at a hazardous waste facility, the emergency coordinator must act immediately to complete the following procedures:

• Activate internal alarms or communications systems to notify all personnel.
• Notify local and state authorities with designated response roles, if their help is required.
• Identify the nature, source, amount, and extent of any release, fire, or explosion of hazardous materials.
• Assess possible hazards to human health and the environment, including both the direct and indirect effects of the event.

If the emergency coordinator determines that there has been a damaging release, fire, or explosion that will threaten the area outside of the facility, he or she must report these findings to local authorities and the National Response Center or the government official who has been designated as the on-scene coordinator for the geographical area.

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