Work Safety in Collection and Transport of Hazardous Wastes

Abstract

Accident risks in collection and transport of hazardous wastes in Finland were studied using statistical data, safety analysis and compatibility charts. The study material comprised stationary collection sites for hazardous waste, campaigns for collection of hazardous waste and hazardous waste treatment and transport contractors. Systematic investigations were made of different working situations and methods and the equipment for hazardous waste collection and transport. Several deficiencies in work safety were found. The largest number of accidents occurred in handling drums and barrels. The parts of the body injured were mostly the eyes, back and feet. Besides the normal loading and unloading hazards, there were others connected with the characteristics of hazardous waste itself, which are most pronounced during waste sorting. Two kinds of hazardous waste compatibility charts were prepared: one for stationary collection sites and the other for special collecting campaigns of hazardous waste. The promotion of the strict use of protective equipment and clothing was recommended.

Keywords

Safety risk analysis hazardous waste collection transport Finland.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Bretherick, L. (1979) Handbook of reactive chemical hazards, 3rd Edition. Sevenoaks, U.K.: Butterworths. 1852 pp.

Ettala, M. , Rahkonen, P. & Peltola, H. (1989a) Work safety in waste collection and transport . Waste Management & Research 7, 241-248.

Ettala, M. , Rahkonen, P. & Rahkonen, V. (1989b) Work safety in waste treatment. Waste Management & Research 7, 249-258.

Finnish Government (1989) Ohje kemikaalien kappaletavaravarastosta (Directions for storage of chemical consignments) Helsinki, Finland: Government Printing Centre. 41 pp.

Hatayama, H.K. et al. (1989) A method for determining the compatibility of hazardous waste. Cincinnati: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 149 pp.

Jaakkola, J. (1990). Ongelmajätehuollon perustietoutta (Basic knowledge of hazardous waste management). Riihimäki, Finland: Ekokem Ltd. 359 pp.

Melkas, T. , Heijari, M. , Nummi, J. & Järvinen, T. (1976) Helsingin kaupungin viiden työntekijäryhmän työterveystutkimus. Osa I: Tuki-ja liikuntaelimistön sairauksia ja työolosuhteita koskeva haastattelu (Occupational health survey for five groups of employees in Helsinki City. Part I: Interview concerning injuries to limbs and working conditions). Helsinki, Finland: Institute of Occupational Health . Report No. 111.

National Board of Labour Protection (1990) Ongelmajätteiden varoitusmerkinnät ja käyttöturvallisuustiedotteet . Kiertokirje 3/86 (Warning signs and data on safety in dealing with hazardous wastes. Circular 3/86). Helsinki, Finland.

Nummi, J. , Järvinen, T. & Melkas, T. (1975) Helsingin kaupungin viiden työntekijäryhmän terveystutkimus. Osa II: Ortopedinen terveystarkastus (Occupational health survey for five groups of employees in Helsinki City. Part II: Orthopedic health study). Helsinki, Finland: Institute of Occupational Health . Report No. 112.

10.

Quincy, Nfpa (1989) Manual of hazardous chemical reactions. National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 491 M. 241 pp.

11.

Suokas, J. , Rouhiainen, V. , Reunanen, M. & Nordlund, K. (1982) Työn turvallisuusanalyysin laatiminen (Abstract: Method description of work safety analysis). Espoo, Finland: Technical Research Centre of Finland. Research Reports 104.

12.

Tengvall, H. (1990) Jokamiehen ongelmajäteopas (Everyman's guide to hazardous waste). Helsinki, Finland. Campaign for Hazardous Wastes of Civil Organizations. 16 pp.

13.

The Association of Finnish Cities (1988) Asuinkiinteistöjen ongelmajätteiden keräilyn ohjeet (Instructions for collection of hazardous household wastes). Helsinki , Finland, 54 pp.