General waste management safety program components

Workplace waste can affect health and safety, employee satisfaction, productivity, and many other areas of performance. That’s why having a general waste management safety program is so important. It ensures that your team handles waste effectively so that it causes as few disruptions as possible.

Waste management overview

A general waste management safety program reduces the risks that waste materials pose to workers and the environment. It involves many activities, including:

• Creation and enforcement of waste management procedures and policies
• Oversight of waste removal and disposal
• Daily upkeep of waste management infrastructure (e.g., bins, equipment, etc.)
• Continuous improvement of waste management practices
• Compliance with local and federal regulations regarding waste

With a dedicated program in place, you can eliminate safety risks, achieve compliance, improve operational performance, and reduce your environmental footprint.

Components of general waste management programs

Below are the main components to include in your general waste management program. The program should be site-specific to the materials and processes your employees use. If you don’t have a program in place yet, these topics are a good starting point.

Hazard identification and control

You’ll need to conduct risk assessments to find and control the hazards within your waste management process. This may include doing job hazard analyses for each task, ergonomics assessments, PPE assessments, and more. Do this for each area where workers interact with waste materials.

Waste separation and labeling

Procedures for separating and labeling waste are critical because they’re often the first step in the waste management process. Consider how you want to differentiate types of waste. Your system may include colors, signage, receptacle shapes, or a combination of them all. Just ensure that the system is easy for workers to follow and maintain.

Handling and storage

Another component of the general waste management program is guidelines for proper handling and storage of waste materials. This should include written procedures for safely lifting and transporting waste containers from one area to another. In these procedures, you’ll also want to include PPE guidelines for each task in the storage and handling process.

Emergency response protocols

Like all EHS initiatives, your general waste management program needs emergency response protocols. These procedures will depend on the type of waste you generate, but here are some examples of what you might include:

• Spill containment and cleanup
• Leak control and stoppage
• Emergency evacuation procedures
• Fire incident response
• Emergency reporting

There’s always a risk of incident—even if you don’t deal with hazardous waste materials. That’s why it’s essential to have an emergency response plan in place.

Employee training

Another component of waste management is training your employees on topics like:

• Identifying, controlling, and reporting hazards
• Proper handling and disposal of waste materials
• Regulatory compliance requirements

After going through training, your workers should know how to effectively handle waste and when to notify management of any issues.

Regulatory compliance auditing

Environmental compliance auditing is another waste management program activity. It involves ensuring that the site complies with EPA requirements, as well as local waste regulations. Additionally, this component includes the documenting important compliance information.

Continuous improvement

Waste management programs require continuous improvement just like the other initiatives around your company. The best way to maintain an effective program is to regularly inspect performance. Here are some questions you should review periodically:

• Do employees follow general waste management guidelines?
• Has improper waste management been the cause of any incidents recently?
• Have there been any recent compliance issues?
• Has the type, quantity, or quality of waste changed?

Document the findings of your program audits so you can refer to them in the future. Also, make sure you schedule and track action items related to any issues you come across.

Written program documentation

Proper documentation is essential for both regulatory compliance and internal review. Your waste management plan (WMP) should follow this rough outline:

• General details (company, facility, most recent revision date, etc.)
• Purpose of the plan
• Program components (e.g., handling, processing, etc.)
• Emergency procedures
• Compliance auditing and continuous improvement

A general waste management safety program is critical to operational success. Regardless of industry, all businesses generate waste that must be carefully and considerately handled and processed. Not only do you have a legal obligation to enforce strict waste management standards, but you also have an ethical responsibility to your employees and the environment to do so.