EMS-WI-SW006 / FORT RUCKER
Environmental Management System / Revision Number:
000
Title:
Broken Mercury Lamp Clean-Up
1.0 PURPOSE
This procedure defines the requirements for proper management of broken mercury containing (not green tipped) fluorescent lamps on Fort Rucker. For proper management of new and unbroken mercury containing fluorescent lamps, please see EMS-WI-SW003.
Control of EMS procedures is addressed in procedure EMS-P002, Document Control.
2.0 SCOPE
This procedure applies to all Fort Rucker operations that are responsible for managing, installing or removing fluorescent lamps, including those activities located at facilities outside the contiguous boundary of the installation. The requirements of this procedure are applicable to all military, civilian and contract personnel at Fort Rucker.
3.0 DEFINITIONS/REFERENCES
DPWE Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division, located in Bldg 1121, telephone number 334-255-2541.
Green-Tipped
Lamp: A fluorescent lamp with low mercury content. Typically the lamp has green tips or green writing stating “low mercury content” on the lamp.
HMCC Hazardous Material Control Center, located in Bldg 1315, telephone number 334-598-1311.
IAW “In Accordance With”
IWMP The Fort Rucker “Integrated Waste Management Plan” documents procedures to ensure each step in the "cradle-to-grave" management of wastes with hazardous characteristics is carried out in a consistent manner and in accordance with (IAW) regulatory requirements. Procedures are either referenced or included in this IWMP, as necessary, to provide documented waste management instructions, from the time of waste generation until it is transported offsite for reuse or disposal.
Fluorescent
Lamp: A fluorescent lamp is a type of lamp that uses electricity to excite mercury vapor in argon or neon gas, producing short-wave ultraviolet light. This light then causes a phosphor to fluoresce, producing visible light. Fluorescent lamps contain small amounts of mercury, lead, and sometimes cadmium. Used mercury containing lamps are managed on Fort Rucker as universal waste for recycle.
4.0 RESPONSIBILITIES
It is the responsibility of each employee to follow these procedures.
5.0 PROCEDURE FOR A BROKEN MERCURY CONTAINING LAMP CLEAN-UP
When handling of mercury containing lamps , try and avoid breaking bulbs as mercury will be released into the atmosphere. Accidents do happen, so if a bulb does break follow the following procedure:
5.1 If not trained in cleaning up a hazardous material, please call 911 and the Shaw Service Order Desk 255-9041 for assistance. Note that if the lamp is green tipped any individual may clean-up the broken glass since little mercury remains. If one cannot determine if the bulb is a low mercury bulb, the broken bulb is to be managed as a mercury containing lamp.
5.2 Keep all people and pets away from the breakage area so mercury-containing powder is not tracked into other areas. Mercury may be bound to the broken glass and powder.
5.3 Ventilate area for 15 minutes, and keep area well ventilated. This allows mercury vapors to dissipate.
5.4 Assemble necessary supplies: latex gloves, tweezers, tape and a puncture resistant (ex. plastic) container, broom, and dust pan or cardboard.
5.5 Wearing the gloves, carefully pick up any broken glass and place in puncture resistant container. Tweezers can be used to safely pick up broken glass. Tape can be used to pick up small pieces of glass and powder residue left on spill surface.
5.6 Use two pieces of cardboard to push together remaining powder and fragments of glass. Finish clean up by sweeping if necessary.
5.7 Important: Do Not Vacuum!! Mercury residue in the vacuum is heated up and can vaporize when the vacuum is used again.
5.8 After clean up is complete, place contaminated clean-up equipment along with any other materials that came in contact with the mercury powder into the puncture resistant container.
5.9 Label all containers “Hazardous Waste-Contains Mercury.” Note that if the lamp was green-tipped, the waste may be thrown away in the garbage.
5.10 Store container(s) on a corrosion-proof surface, inside a structure that is protected from the weather.
5.11 Complete a DD Form 1348 for turn-in as described in the Fort Rucker IWMP, and dispose of as a hazardous waste.
5.12 Contact Darrell Hager at 255-1674 for more information.
Spills of one pound (34 ml or approximately two tablespoons) or more are to be reported to the DPW Environmental Office at 255-2541 or 255-1658 immediately.
6.0 FORMS AND RECORDS
DD Form 1348’s may be obtained electronically from DPWE, or found online in the IWMP found at www.fortrucker-env.com.
7.0 REFERENCES
7.1 Fort Rucker Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP)
7.2 Procedure EMS-P002, Document Control
8.0 RECORD OF REVISIONS
Revision Number / Effective Date / Change Description / Originated By0 / 15 NOV 05 / New Procedure / Ms. Genie Jones
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