From manufacturing warehouses to science labs, many workplaces need to dispose of hazardous waste. The waste has to be identified, weighed or measured, managed, and transported safely to a center where it will be recycled, treated, or disposed of. An important step employees should do consistently is label the hazardous waste. Without labels, hazardous waste can be dangerous, difficult to manage, and stored incorrectly. Read below to learn about the importance of labeling hazardous waste containers.
Proper Labeling Identifies Hazards and Provides a Safe Work Environment
One of the most obvious reasons why it’s important to label hazardous waste is to warn workers of potential hazards and to keep them safe from hazardous waste. Exposure to hazardous waste can be dangerous to an employee’s health, especially over long periods of time. Workers need to know about specific hazards, such as flammability or corrosion risks, when they’re transporting waste. If they’re not aware of these dangers, they and carriers can be at risk. Everyone involved in the chain of action needs to know from the label what physical and health hazards to which they could be subjected.
If all the necessary symbols, instructions, and warnings are on the container, workers can safely transport the product. Furthermore, if there were an emergency where an employee was hurt and unable to communicate, the label could inform emergency service workers about what happened.
Communicates Handling Instructions
Handling instructions are part of the importance of labeling hazardous waste containers. When instructions are communicated clearly, everyone involved in the disposal process will know how to safely ship and handle the waste. Carriers can easily tell where items should go, speeding up processes. Handling instructions should include clear precautionary statements. For instance, they may say “Wear protective neoprene gloves, safety goggles, and a face shield with chin guard.”
