Health & Safety at Work – Managing Hazardous Waste

Waste is considered hazardous if it contains materials/substances that make it harmful to health or the environment.
Certain types of waste are always considered hazardous – for example, the waste from manufacturing acids or processing asbestos.
Other types of waste are only considered hazardous if they contain more than a specified amount of harmful materials/substances – for example, waste containing traces of arsenic or mercury.

Registering your premises with the Environment Agency

If your business produces more than 500kg of hazardous waste in any 12-month period (200kg in Wales), you need to register your premises with the Environment Agency.
If your business is based in England, produces less than 500kg of hazardous waste in any 12-month period (200kg in Wales), and uses a registered/exempt carrier to remove the waste, you do not need to register your premises.
Once you’ve registered, you’ll be given a unique premises code which is valid for 12 months from the date you register.
If you plan to continue producing hazardous waste after the expiry date you must renew the registration – which you can do up to one month in advance.

You must register each waste production or collection area separately.
If you share premises with other waste producing businesses, each business must register separately.

If your business produces hazardous waste, you have a legal obligation to ensure that it is transported safely.
You must make sure the waste is stored securely.
You must not store different types of hazardous waste together.
You must regularly check for leaks, deteriorating containers or other potential risks.
You must display written instructions for storing each type of hazardous waste.
You must keep an inventory of what hazardous wastes kept on your premises and where they are stored.
You must make sure your staff are properly trained to deal with hazardous waste.

If your business produces hazardous waste, you have a legal obligation to ensure that it is transported safely.
You must make sure the waste is correctly packaged and labelled during storage and transportation.
You must make sure the wast is accompanied by a consignment note (which you must keep a copy of for three years) which correctly describes the waste when it is moved.
You must make sure it is transported by a registered/exempt waste carrier.
You must make sure it is sent to a facility with an appropriate licence or permit

If your business produces hazardous waste, you have a legal obligation to ensure that it is disposed of correctly and treated at an appropriate plant, incinerator or landfill site.
You must make sure the plants, incinerators and landfill sites you use have the correct authorisation from the Environment Agency.

Some hazardous waste – such as solvents, waste oils and metals – can be recovered and recycled.
Where possible, you should recycle hazardous waste.