Purpose

This guide is intended as an aid for risk assessment of waste rooms that store hazardous waste before collection, ensuring that the requirements for a safe and secure workplace are met in accordance with the Working Environment Act, the Regulation on Land Transport of Dangerous Goods (in Norwegian only), and the Regulation on Hazardous Waste (in Norwegian only).

Scope and Anchoring

The guideline for handling and use of chemicals and gases (in Norwegian only) governs this guide. The guide applies to everyone who disposes of chemicals and/or gases in NTNU's premises or areas of authority. For certain chemicals, specific requirements and procedures apply, these are: Procedure for peroxide-forming chemicals (in Norwegian only), Procedure for bomb chemicals (in Norwegian only), and Procedure for hydrogen fluoride - hydrofluoric acid (in Norwegian only).

Definition

See the guideline for handling and use of chemicals and gases (in Norwegian only).

Responsibility

The line manager is responsible for ensuring that this guide is made known and followed in their unit.

Implementation

See the Procedure for carrying out HSE risk assessment.

• Define which conditions should be mapped and risk assessed.
• Assess which activities are included and which unwanted events may occur during these activities.
• Describe which risk-reducing measures are in place, and any new measures that can be introduced to reduce risk.
• The risk assessment should be based on the quantities of chemicals that are/will be listed in the room card.
• The risk assessment must be documented in writing and revised at least every 2 years.

Examples of risk-reducing measures (not exhaustive):

• Suitable extinguishing agents, such as fire hose, hand extinguisher, sprinkler system, or other
• Fire detection
• Gas detection with alarm system
• Good ventilation in the room, fume hood, local exhaust
• The room's ventilation has emergency power
• Access control
• Training and information for those with approved access
• End users who have completed a course in handling hazardous waste
• Updated room card with room manager and maximum quantities of flammable waste
• Routine to check that actual quantities stored in the room do not exceed the maximum quantities stated on the room card
• Fireproof cabinet for storing propane cans and battery waste, etc.
• Available emergency equipment, first aid equipment, and protective equipment adapted to the substances present
• Satisfactory distance requirements between hazardous substances that can react with each other, cf. safety data sheets
• Sink
• Floor drain, which can be closed if necessary, with a drain mat
• Collection trays and equipment for absorbing liquids in case of leakage
• Approved shelves and cabinets that are properly installed (cf. NS-EN 15635:2008)
• Marking in accordance with the Workplace Regulations (warning and prohibition signs)
• The room has a work-alone alarm
• The waste room is included in HSE and safety rounds
• Hazardous waste is labeled with type and date, and declared through Avfallsdeklarering.no

Examples of possible unwanted events (not exhaustive):

• Unauthorized access
• Theft of hazardous and flammable waste
• Leakage or spillage from containers
• Explosion/blasting of container due to pressure build-up
• Reactive chemicals that cannot be stored together
• Fire outbreak
• Loss of ventilation
• Lack of labeling of deposited waste, for example, date
• Water leakage

About the guide