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Here are answers to some frequently asked questions that you may have.
Please feel free to contact a sales representative for
further explanation or to discuss your upcoming project.
Q: With all of the liability that generators currently face these days,
how can we protect ourselves from environmental companies that do not handle, transport or dispose of our waste properly?
A: With several environmental service companies currently in the industry it is extremely important for
all generators to be sure their waste and environmental projects
are handled
properly and in accordance with all local, state and federal regulations. Generators should check the longevity of the
company
they are planning on hiring and also the amount of coverage of liability insurance the
environmental company maintains. This will indicate how concerned they are in all aspects of handling your waste and
environmental needs. The Department of Toxic Substances Control will also have their inspection record for the facility
in which your hazardous waste will be stored until disposal. You may also inquire with the California Highway Patrol for
their transportation history and vehicle inspection record. All of the above information is a great way to investigate the
company you are thinking about using as your hazardous materials contractor, however the best way is to check with other
companies that are using the same contractor to confirm the level of service they are receiving. A satisfied and happy
customer will always be the best indicator of how well an environmental service company is doing.
Q: What are the different types of disposal options for hazardous waste?
A: Generators of hazardous waste should be aware of the options of how to properly and cost effectively
dispose of various types of hazardous waste. Options for disposing of hazardous waste material differ greatly. Direct
landfill will most likely be the most cost effective way to dispose of hazardous waste, but this option is limited to
the less harmful (to the environment) types of hazardous waste. Also this landfill option does not alleviate the future
liability of the generator and this may not be the option your company requires. Recycling and incineration of the hazardous
material will alleviate the future liability of your company from the hazardous waste because it has either changed from a
waste to a new product or been eliminated by total incineration. Some recycling and incineration options are more widely
used than landfill method but are more costly. United Pumping Service will investigate all appropriate
options that best suit your project while always keeping your liability and budget
concerns in mind so that you can make an informed decision.
Q: Who is responsible for required generator forms and documents and ensuring
they are completed properly and legally?
A: Regulations state that generators of the hazardous waste are responsible for making sure that all
forms and documents pertaining to the shipment are correct. The
customer service
department at United Pumping Service will handle all paperwork required for the shipment of your waste.
All manifesting, profiling, Land Disposal Restriction Forms, Bill of Ladings and all attachments required for
transportation
will be provided by our company for proper disposal of your hazardous waste. However it is always important
for the generator to select the disposal site and review the necessary forms.
Q: If an accident should occur once my hazardous waste is being
transported to a transfer facility or a disposal facility is our company not liable and is the transporter
responsible?
A:
The Cradle to Grave law for hazardous waste makes the generator liable for the waste material always unless
the material is recycled, reused or incinerated. For this reason it is imperative that your company be sure
that the hazardous waste handling company operates legally and is responsible for all of its operations.
United Pumping Service has and maintains several fully staffed and equipped
Emergency Response Teams available 24 hours a day
7 days per week. If a shipment of hazardous materials is involved in an incident with one of our vehicles
our Emergency Response Team will properly remediate any release and repackage and transport it to the proper
disposal facility. We will inform the generator of the incident and we will handle all requirements required
for remediation.
Q: If an incident occurs at my facility can I legally
remediate the area on my own?
A: There are several
federal, state, and local laws
in place that dictate the remediation of a hazardous materials release. All personnel must have the
40-hour Hazardous Waste Operation (HAZWOPER) training or less as required by the company depending upon the
material, exposure to the material, and the level of remediation. Different types of material and the quantity
of the material may require a notification by the responsible party to the local authorities, and the authorities
notified will dictate the extent of the remediation required. There are also several hazardous materials
which may seem simple to remove, yet may have a chemical reaction to other types of material stored nearby,
or might even be incompatible with the material used to remove the waste. Some may require industrial cleaning
equipment and confirmation of a remediated site by soil, liquid, or wipe samples. United Pumping Service deals
with these occurrences on a daily basis and maintains a good working relationship with all local authorities for
site remediation. We also maintain several resources to ensure a turn-key remediation process. All of our employees
are 40-hour HAZWOPER
certified
as well as confined space entry trained,
CPR certified, have blood-borne pathogen training, and receive a yearly 8-hour refresher course as required by law.
Some employees also receive specialized training.
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