Inspectors found hazardous waste containers with damage, leakage, bulging, rusting or other deterioration. Image: Lester Graham/Shutterstock.com
An inspector general report has called on the USPS to tighten the controls over hazardous wastes at its vehicle maintenance facilities, after finding at least some issues at all facilities visited, and potentially serious issues at many.
Hazardous wastes such as diesel fuel, antifreeze and vehicle batteries are used or generated at the more than 300 such facilities nationwide and are subject to procedures under environmental laws and regulations. That includes rules for having central accumulation areas for storage prior to shipment to off-site disposal locations, satellite accumulation areas for temporary storage, routine maintenance and inspection programs, and emergency response equipment including spill kits, eyewash and shower equipment.
However, in visits to 19 sites mostly in Massachusetts and California, auditors found that all 19 had container labels that were missing, incomplete, or illegible; 16 did not keep all containers closed to protect against spills; and nine had containers with damage, leakage, bulging, rusting or other deterioration.
At one, “we observed leaks and spills from unidentifiable sources throughout the central accumulation area, including an area that contained unidentified sludge, garbage, and debris” and at another seven, “we saw evidence of small accumulations of hazardous waste leaks and spills in the area surrounding the storage of hazardous waste containers.”
Issues included that scheduled inspections were not always done; that water from showers and eyewash equipment “was either low-flowing, dirty brown with the appearance of contamination, or did not drain after activation”; that equipment was “covered in dust, dirt, and debris or blocked by doors or other items”; and that self-contained eyewash containers had expired as long as three years ago. Further, designated smoking areas at five were too close to flammable materials.
The report said that management was responsive to recommendations to address those issues except for one regarding training, which it said current policies covered. However, the IG said it considers that recommendation still open since that training does not cover all the issues raised.
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