Occupational health and safety in household hazardous waste management facilities

Employees in household hazardous waste management facilities encounter a variety of potentially hazardous exposures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate both chemical and physical hazards at a representative group of household hazardous waste management facilities in Minnesota. Sampling results suggest that chemical exposures are generally not a problem when chemical bulking is performed outside the facility. For facilities operating year-round, however, proper ventilation is necessary to ensure adequate control of chemical exposures when bulking is done inside the building. The most significant chemical exposures occurred when handling paint (benzene) and broken fluorescent light bulbs (mercury). Guidelines for appropriate personal protective equipment and handling of broken fluorescent light bulbs were developed as a result of this study. Materials handling was the most significant physical hazard, resulting in wrist, elbow, and back injuries. The suspected reasons for these injuries (awkward postures and repetitive motions) were noted throughout the management process and should be further investigated.