SFPUC 2001 Alameda Watershed Management Plan

III. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING AND IMPACTSM. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND HAZARDOUS WASTE1.0 SETTING1.1 DEFINITIONSHazardous materials and hazardous waste are defined by their levels of toxicity, ignitability,corrosivity, and reactivity. When excavated, soils with concentrations of contaminants higherthan certain acceptable levels must be handled and disposed as hazardous waste. The CaliforniaCode of Regulations, Title 22, §66261.20-24 contains technical descriptions of characteristicsthat would cause a soil to be classified as a hazardous waste.1.2 REGULATORY SETTINGHazardous Waste HandlingThe California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal-EPA), Department of Toxic SubstancesControl (DTSC) regulates the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal ofhazardous waste. In Alameda County and Santa Clara County, remediation of contaminated sitesis performed under the oversight of Cal-EPA and with the cooperation of the Counties’Department of Environmental Health and the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB).At sites where contamination is suspected or known to occur, the project sponsor must perform asite investigation and draw up a remediation plan, if necessary. For typical development projects,actual site remediation is performed either before or during the construction phase of the project.Site remediation or development may be subject to regulation by other agencies. For example, ifdewatering of a hazardous waste site were required during construction, subsequent discharge tothe stormwater/sewer collection system could require a permit from the Alameda County orSanta Clara Department of Environmental Health.Throughout the Counties, a Hazardous Materials Management Plan must be prepared for theCounty by businesses that use or store hazardous materials. For removal of underground storagetanks (USTs), the Department of Environmental Health has regulatory authority. A closure planfor UST removal must be prepared by the applicant and submitted to the county agency. Uponapproval of the UST closure plan by that agency, the appropriate fire department would issue apermit for removal.Worker SafetyFederal and state laws provide occupational safety standards to minimize worker safety risksfrom both physical and chemical hazards in the workplace. The California Division ofOccupational Safety and Health (Cal-OSHA) and the federal Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration (OSHA) are the agencies responsible for assuring worker safety in the workplace.Cal-OSHA assumes primary responsibility for developing and enforcing standards for safeworkplaces and work practices. At sites known to be contaminated, a Site Safety PlanNOP 96.223E: Alameda Watershed Management Plan III.M-1 ESA / 930385January 2001