Identification of PCB-Containing Capacitors - COAG Standing ...

IDENTIFICATION OFPCB-CONTAINING CAPACITORS• do not use gloves made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ornatural rubber (latex);• use disposable gloves;• wear disposable overalls made of Tyvek or made ofmaterials with similar chemical resistant properties;• when working with overhead equipment (eg. fluorescentlight fixtures), wear a full face shield and appropriate hairprotection;• wash any non-disposable contaminated equipment withkerosene and collect the kerosene for disposal as a PCBcontaminatedsolvent;• if PCB vapours are suspected (eg. PCB leaks onto a hotsurface in a confined space), wear a suitable respirator.Use a twin cartridge type respirator suitable forchlorinated vapours. It is always prudent to ensureadequate ventilation. NOTE: PCBs do not vaporise readilyat room temperature;• do not smoke; and• after handling PCBs, even if gloves were worn, washhands well in warm, soapy water before eating, drinking,smoking, handling food or drink, or using toilet facilities.4.2 FIRST-AIDIf PCB contacts the eyes, immediately wash it out withcopious amounts of running water for at least 10 minutes.Occasionally lift the upper and lower eye lids to ensurecomplete irrigation of the eye. Obtain medical attentionimmediately.If PCB contacts the skin, immediately remove all contaminatedclothing. Wash the affected areas with warm, soapy water. Donot use kerosene to remove PCB from your skin or clothing.Obtain medical attention as soon as possible.PCB spills should be handled by first evacuating people notinvolved with the clean-up from the spill area. Everyoneinvolved with the clean-up needs to take the precautionslisted in section 4.1.4.3 CLEAN-UP OF LEAKSThe procedure detailed below should be followed if any PCBleaks from capacitors, or if PCB-contaminated material, suchas kerosene, is accidentally spilt.Use an absorbent material (preferably commercial absorbent,kitty litter or a diatomaceous earth) to form a barrier to preventany of the PCB from escaping into drainage systems or intothe watercourse. Soak up the PCB with the absorbent materialused to form the barrier.Non-porous surfaces should be cleaned with an organicsolvent, for example, kerosene, and the solvent collected anddisposed of as a PCB-containing solvent.5All porous material (including protective clothing and thedamaged capacitor) which has been contaminated must beplaced in a strong, sealed polyethylene bag, which is then tobe placed in a sound, sealable metal drum. An absorbentmaterial should be packed around the PCB equipment toabsorb any leaks. The drum should then be sealed.Any PCB-contaminated solvents from the clean-up must bestored in separate drums.CLOSE-UP OF CAPACITOR WITHIN A FLUORESCENT LIGHT FITTINGAll drums must be adequately labelled ‘PCB Waste’ togetherwith the name of the equipment or material contained withineach drum.