Search

California DTSC Releases First Ever Hazardous Waste Facility Scorecards

Posted on 11/21/2019 by Roger Marks

In October, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) released its first statewide scorecard for permitted facilities that treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste.

To create the scorecard, California DTSC reviewed 10 years of hazardous waste inspection results and scored each violation with a numeric value indicating its significance and potential for harm.

DTSC added up the violations to arrive at a “final score” for each facility. Scores from 0—20 are deemed “acceptable,” scores from 20—40 are “conditionally acceptable,” and scores of 40 or greater are “unacceptable.”

Scores for all 78 permitted hazardous waste facilities are available here.

How California Facilities Scored

Of the 78 total permitted hazardous waste facilities in the state, the vast majority (64) scored as acceptable. Only 5 were scored “unacceptable.”

According to DTSC’s announcement, facilities scored as “unacceptable” may be subject to a denial, suspension, or revocation of their permit. Facilities scored as “conditionally acceptable” will be subject to additional permitting requirements and/or operating restrictions.

Violations frequently cited by DTSC include:
  • Hazardous waste storage containers in poor condition
  • Storage of ignitable wastes too near the property line
  • Making false statement on the Hazardous Waste Manifest
  • Storage of incompatible wastes together
  • Failure to manage hazardous waste in a way that reduces risk of a fire or release
  • Improper labeling of hazardous waste containers
DTSC’s new Violation Scoring Procedure to fulfill a mandate in SB 673, which amended the state Health and Safety Code to require DTSC to establish transparent, consistent procedures to improve the hazardous waste permitting program.  

Facilities can dispute DTSC’s score by following the requirements laid out in 22 CCR 66271.53(c).

Why It Matters for Hazardous Waste Generators

While DTSC only scored California’s operating permitted facilities, sites that generate hazardous waste can benefit from the new scoring system. Selecting the right Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility (TSDF) is crucial to ensure compliance with Federal RCRA and Cal/EPA hazardous waste standards.  If a TSDF improperly stores or disposes of your waste, your facility can ultimately be held liable for releases to the environment.  

Many generators trust critical hazardous waste compliance efforts to their TSDF. If your TSDF assists you with hazardous waste ID, applying waste codes, completing LDR paperwork, or other regulated tasks, you should have confidence that they will do what's required to protect the environment, the safety of Californians, and your reputation.

Title 22/RCRA Hazardous Waste Training

For training to ensure compliance with California’s complex, unique hazardous waste laws and regulations, join Lion for the California Hazardous Waste Management Workshop in January.

Meet EPA and Cal DTSC annual training mandates for hazardous waste personnel. Plus, stay up to date on the latest updates to California’s Title 22 hazardous waste regulations and the state Health and Safety Code.
 
Los Angeles January 6–7
Santa Barbara January 9–10
Fresno January 13–14
San Francisco January 16–17
 
In Spring 2020, the workshop comes to San Diego, Ontario, San Jose, and Sacramento.

Can't join us for instructor-led training? Train online with reliable, easy-to-use online courses that cover what you must know to properly identify, store, and dispose of your site's hazardous waste.

California Hazardous Waste Management
California Hazardous Waste Management Refresher  

 

Tags: california hazardous waste, DTSC, hazardous waste management, RCRA, Title 22 training

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

We have a very busy work schedule and using Lion enables us to take the course at our own time. It makes it easy for me to schedule my employees' training.

Timothy Mertes

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Lion's training was by far the best online RCRA training I've ever taken. It was challenging and the layout was great!

Paul Harbison

Hazardous Waste Professional

I have attended other training providers, but Lion is best. Lion is king of the hazmat jungle!!!

Henry Watkins

Hazardous Waste Technician

The price was reasonable, the time to complete the course was manageable, and the flexibility the online training allowed made it easy to complete.

Felicia Rutledge

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Well designed and thorough program. Excellent summary of requirements with references. Inclusion of regulations in hard copy form, as well as full electronic with state pertinent regulations included is a great bonus!

Oscar Fisher

EHS Manager

Energetic/enthusiastic! Made training enjoyable, understandable and fun!

Amanda Walsh

Hazardous Waste Professional

I attended training from another provider and learned absolutely nothing. Lion is much better. Hands down.

Nicole Eby

Environmental Specialist

Lion courses are the standard to which all other workshops should strive for!

Brody Saleen

Registered Environmental Health Specialist

This is the best RCRA training I've experienced! I will be visiting Lion training again.

Cynthia L. Logsdon

Principal Environmental Engineer

Excellent job. Made what is very dry material interesting. Thoroughly explained all topics in easy-to-understand terms.

David Hertvik

Vice President

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Some limited quantity reliefs are reserved for specific modes of transport. Use this guide to identify which reliefs you can capitalize on, and which do not apply to your operations.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.