Both large quantity generators (LQG) and small quantity generators (SQG) of hazardous waste are required by federal regulations of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to take certain measures and have available certain equipment in order to prevent hazardous waste emergencies from occurring and to be prepared to respond to them if they do.  In the past the Preparedness and Prevention regulations for both LQG and SQG were the same and were found at 40 CFR 265, subpart C.

The Generator Improvements Rule made some changes to these regulations.

• Moved them from their former location for both LQG and SQG to distinct locations for each generator.
• Made several revisions to the regulations applicable to both LQG and SQG.

In an earlier series of articles I identified and explained the requirements of 40 CFR 265, subpart C Preparedness and prevention for a LQG and SQG prior to the Generator Improvements Rule.  All of those articles are summarized here.  You may also research the requirements of 40 CFR 265, subpart D Contingency plan and emergency procedures (applicable solely to a LQG) here.  If your state has not yet adopted the Generator Improvements Rule, then these regulations are still applicable to your facility.

If you are interested in comparing the text of the regulations prior to and after the Generator Improvements Rule, you can view a “crosswalk” of the old to new regulations:  Comparison of New and Old Requirements in Generator Improvements Rule:  Preparedness, Prevention, and Emergency Procedures for Large Quantity Generators

The purpose of this article is to provide one source for the series of articles I will write identifying and explaining the requirements of 40 CFR 262, subpart M for preparedness, prevention, and emergency procedures of a hazardous waste emergency at a large quantity generator of hazardous waste.

How these regulations apply to a small quantity generator of hazardous waste  – found at 40 CFR 262.16(b)(8) – are addressed in this article:  Preparedness, Prevention, and Emergency Procedures for Small Quantity Generator of Hazardous Waste

Before we begin…

• These regulations like many others were moved from their previous location to a new one within Title 40 by the Generator Improvements Rule.  Formerly found at 40 CFR 265, subpart C and D (a LQG was referenced to them by §262.34(a)(4)) they now reside entirely within 262, subpart M and are found there by a referral at §262.17(a)(6).  Read about the Reorganization of the Regulations Under the Generator Improvements Rule.
• The regulations for preparedness and prevention are almost exactly the same for both the LQG and SQG, though located separately in the regulations.
• The regulations for emergency procedures for LQG and SQG differ not only in location but also in their stringency, with the LQG having many more responsibilities than the SQG.

Are you prepared to respond to a hazardous waste emergency?

The regulations for preparedness, prevention, and emergency procedures at a large quantity generator of hazardous waste:

• §262.250 Applicability
• §262.251 Maintenance and operation of facility
• §262.252 Required equipment
• §262.253 Testing and maintenance of equipment
• §262.254 Access to communications or alarm systems
• §262.255 Required aisle space
• §262.256 Arrangements with local authorities
• §262.260 Purpose and implementation of contingency plan
• §262.261 Content of contingency plan
• §262.262 Copies of contingency plan
• §262.263 Amendment of contingency plan
• §262.264 Emergency coordinator
• §262.265 Emergency procedures