BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has assessed a $6,440 penalty against Radant Technologies, Inc. of Stow for violations of state Hazardous Waste regulations. The company manufactures composite radomes and reflectors at its 255 Hudson Road facility.
During a routine inspection conducted in March, MassDEP personnel found the company had accumulated hazardous waste for longer than is allowed by its registered status, failed to maintain a hazardous waste inspection log and failed to properly label its hazardous waste containers. In a consent order with MassDEP, the company is required to maintain compliance with applicable regulations and pay the penalty.
“Hazardous Waste regulations require proper management and disposal of wastes within specific time frames, which are dependent on the amount of waste generated,” said Lee Dillard Adams, director of MassDEP’s Central Regional Office in Worcester. “Once made aware of the violations, the company took immediate corrective actions.”
MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.
For the full news release from MassDEP: Radant Technologies of Stow Penalized $6,400 for Violating Hazardous Waste Requirements
As noted in the above news release, the on-site accumulation time limit for hazardous waste is determined by a facility’s hazardous waste generator status: no more than 90 days for a large quantity generator or hazardous waste and no more than 180 days for a small quantity generator of hazardous waste. There is no time limit for the on-site accumulation of hazardous waste in the following situations:
- A conditionally exempt small quantity generator of hazardous waste.
- A used oil.
- A non-hazardous waste.
- A universal waste (limited to one year).
- A waste that is excluded from definition as a hazardous waste due to a regulatory exclusion or recycling.
A large or small quantity generator of hazardous waste that exceeds the on-site accumulation time limit, even by just one day, can face severe penalties, as in this case.
In addition to an on-site accumulation time limit, and a host of other regulatory requirements, both a large and small quantity generator of hazardous waste must provide training for its facility personnel that handle hazardous waste or may respond to a hazardous waste emergency. Contact me to provide the RCRA hazardous waste training that you need to comply with the regulations and to learn how to avoid penalties like this one.