Hospital Fined $108K For RCRA Violations

Posted on 2/1/2021 by Lauren Scott

A hospital system in the DC metro area has been fined $108,304 by EPA for alleged mismanagement of hazardous waste.

EPA announced the settlement last week on January 27. EPA cited various alleged violations of RCRA in its statement, including:

Failure to label and date hazardous waste containers;
Storage of hazardous waste for greater than 90 days without a storage permit;
Failure to maintain aisle space necessary for emergency response;
Failure to minimize the risk of release of hazardous waste; and
Failure to conduct weekly inspections of the hazardous waste accumulation area.

As part of the agreement, the hospital does not admit any wrongdoing. The hospital has been fully cooperative with EPA during its investigation and has certified compliance with Federal hazardous waste standards.

US EPA recently increased its maximum monetary civil penalties for violations of air, water, chemical, and hazardous waste programs. The Final Rule increases maximum penalty amounts to keep pace with inflation. As of December 23, 2020, the maximum fine for RCRA violations is $76,764 per day, per violation.

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New marking/labeling rules for containers
New EPA notification and re-notification requirements
Expanded contingency planning requirements

Plus, learn how to capitalize on new reliefs available under the updated Federal regulations concerning episodic hazardous waste events (e.g. spills, lab cleanouts) and very small quantity generator sites.

Tags: enforcement, environmental compliance, fines, hazardous waste, hospital, penalties, RCRA, violations

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