Hazardous Waste Produced In Auto Body Shops

Auto body shops and those in the collision repair business are held responsible for the waste they generate even after it is removed from their property. The hazardous waste must be removed and treated by a licensed hazardous waste hauler.
The body shop owner or representative must complete a Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifist form. The form must be specific to the state in which the waste will be treated and can be obtained from the hazardous waste treatment company the body shop chooses.
The body shop must supply information about the waste product and send the original copy of the manifest to the Waste Management Department of their state. The form should include a Land Disposal Restriction form (Land-Ban) and state that the waste will be treated properly and that it will not be disposed of in a landfill.
The treatment, storage and disposal facility (TSDF) will return a copy of the manifest to the generator within 35 days. The auto body shop is responsible for following up on the status of their hazardous waste product if they do not receive this form.
Tracking Hazardous Waste
If the TSDF fails to handle the hazardous waste correctly, the auto body shop can be held liable. It is their responsibility to track what happens with the waste their facility produces.
One way for auto body shops to protect themselves is by recycling their own waste by-products. Hazardous paint solvent waste can be recycled into solvents that are suitable for spraying primer/sealer and spraygun cleaning. The waste left behind could possible by labeled as inert and non-hazardous; therefore it can be discarded without the need for a waste hauler.
Precautions
Here are some tips for auto body shops for creating and handling hazardous waste:
Recycle The less you make the lower you liability exposure will be
Know the Law The federal regulations are important to you; contact your state and local government to learn more
Know your TSDF Question them on their practices, tour their facility. Make sure they are compliant with all aspects of handling, treating and disposal.
Know your Hauler Waste must be handled by a licensed and approved hazardous waste company. Be aware that you can be held liable for waste spills and clean-up fees while it is being transported.
Get proof of insurance and copies of permits, licenses and reports of past incidents from your waste handler
Follow-up Verify the waste is properly disposed of and that it is not sent to a landfill
Policy and Procedure Follow a strict plan of how you handle the waste generated in your body shop. Obey all regulations of handling hazardous waste.

How hazardous waste is handled is a major concern in the community. Auto body shops need to be especially concerned about how it is handled to avoid large fines and/or jail time. As consumers and car owner we also should be concerned when we choose the auto body shop who works on our vehicle.
Joaquin Hernandez owns Collision on Wheels, a mobile auto body shop who specializes in minor collision repairs, dent and scratch repair and auto paint repair. CW only uses products that are safe for the environment and they are the forefront for promoting green practices. Learn more at http://autobodyshopslosangeles.blogspot.com/