California Scrap Yard Cited for Title 22 Violations by DTSC

California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has filed citations against a Fontana-based scrap yard for alleged mismanagement of hazardous waste and failure to train employees.

Following a 2016 inspection DTSC found elevated levels of cadmium, copper, lead and/or zinc in piles of soil mixed with metal at the facility. The scrap yard was cited for improperly storing and managing hazardous waste, failing to take steps to minimize the possibility of hazardous waste releases and failing to properly train employees, among other alleged violations.

DTSC has asked Los Angeles County Superior Court to authorize penalties up to $25,000 a day for each violation. In addition, the facility will be required to meet certain deadlines and submit site investigation reports to DTSC, including a detailed contamination cleanup plan.
   

DTSC’s Plan to Adopt RCRA Generator Improvements

DTSC recently announced plans to harmonize the state’s Title 22 hazardous waste regulations with US EPA’s 2016 Generator Improvements Rule (GIR).

The first step in California’s plan is to adopt the more-stringent, mandatory provisions. Because all states are required to maintain hazardous waste regulations that are at least as strict as the Federal rules, the more-stringent provisions are mandatory.

Mandatory provisions, which California DTSC plans to adopt in a non-substantive (Section 100) rulemaking include:

• New notification requirements for small and large quantity generators
• Extra marking and labeling requirements for containers and tanks
• New pre-transport markings for hazardous waste containers
• More regulation for ignitable and reactive waste at large quantity generator facilities
• New closure requirements for large quantity generators
• Stricter rules for satellite areas
• More stringent contingency plan rules
• Adding a contingency plan “quick reference guide” requirement for large quantity generators

 

California Hazardous Waste Training Starts this Fall

Be confident that you know the unique hazardous waste management and reporting rules that apply to generators in the Golden State. Lion returns to California this fall for in-person California Hazardous Waste Management workshops in San Diego San Francisco, and more.

September 13–14            San Diego
September 16–17            San Francisco
October 4–5                      Sacramento
October 7–8                      Los Angeles

Can join us in-person? Join an expert Lion instructor for the California Hazardous Waste Management webinar on August 10–11 for complete RCRA/Title 22 training.

California more than doubled its penalties for hazardous waste violations in recent years. Compliance errors can now cost facilities up to $70,000 per day, per violation.
 

Tags: DTSC, enforcement, EPA, fines, hazardous waste management, penalties, Title 22