Release Date: 01/13/2014
Contact Information: Donna Heron 215-814-5113 / heron.donna@epa.gov

PHILADELPHIA ( Jan. 13, 2014) — Phoenix Color Corp. has agreed to pay a $45,000 penalty to settle alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations at its facility on Phoenix Drive in Hagerstown, Md., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today. 

Maryland has an authorized Hazardous Waste Program

EPA cited Phoenix Color for violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the federal law governing the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. RCRA is designed to protect public health and the environment, and avoid costly cleanups, by requiring the safe, environmentally sound storage and disposal of hazardous waste.

Following a November 12, 2012 inspection, EPA cited the company for RCRA violations involving hazardous waste stored at the facility, including spent non-halogenated solvents, corrosives and mercury-containing fluorescent bulbs.

The alleged violations included : 1) operating a hazardous waste storage facility without a RCRA permit or interim storage status; 2) failure to make a hazardous waste determination; 3) failure to keep hazardous waste containers closed; 4) failure to inspect containers in a 90-day storage area; 5) failure to provide annual hazardous waste management training; 6) failure to maintain hazardous waste management job descriptions; and 7) failure to prepare and implement a complete hazardous waste emergency plan. 

The settlement penalty reflects the company’s compliance efforts, and its cooperation with EPA in the resolution of this matter. As part of the settlement, Phoenix Color has neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations, but has certified its compliance with applicable RCRA requirements. 

For more information about hazardous waste and RCRA, visit http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/index.htm

Read the press release here.

It’s no surprise to me that among the alleged violations this company faced is a failure to train its Facility Personnel per the requirements of 40 CFR 265.16.  Good training like mine will fulfill the regulatory requirements and give you and your employees the knowledge and the tools to prevent these kinds of violations while protecting the environment.

The cost of training and compliance is a fraction of alleged violations such as these.  Contact me now to discuss your RCRA training options.