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660 HAZWOPER for General Site Workers I
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Generator Categories

Recognizing that generators produce waste in different quantities, EPA established three categories of generators in the regulations:

  1. Very small quantity generators (VSQGs) generate 100 kilograms (220.4 pounds) or less per month of hazardous waste or one kilogram or less per month of acutely hazardous waste. VSQGs must:
    • identify all the hazardous waste generated.
    • may not accumulate more than 1,000 kilograms (2204 pounds) of hazardous waste at any time.
    • ensure that hazardous waste is delivered to a person or facility who is authorized to manage it.
Washington State Dept. of Ecology's Guide for SQGs
  1. Small quantity generators (SQGs) generate more than 100 kilograms (220.4 pounds), but less than 1,000 kilograms (2204 pounds) of hazardous waste per month. SQGs can accumulate hazardous waste for 180 days before shipping it to a TSD facility (270 days if the nearest TSD facility is more than 200 miles away).
    • SQGs may accumulate hazardous waste on-site for 180 days without a permit (or 270 days if shipping a distance greater than 200 miles).
    • The quantity of hazardous on-site waste must never exceed 6,000 kilograms.
    • SQGs must comply with the hazardous waste manifest requirements of 40 CFR part 262, subpart B and the pre-transport requirements at 40 CFR §§262.30 through 262.33.
    • SQGs must manage hazardous waste in tanks or containers subject to the requirements found at 40 CFR §§262.16(b)(2) and (3).
    • SQGs must comply with the preparedness and prevention requirements at 40 CFR §§262.16(b)(8) and (9), and the land disposal restriction requirements at 40 CFR part 268.
    • There must always be at least one employee available to respond to an emergency. This employee is the emergency coordinator responsible for coordinating emergency response measures. SQGs are not required to have detailed, written contingency plans.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-8. Small quantity generators (SQGs) generate _____ of hazardous waste per month.