Hazardous and Solid Waste

Universal Waste Lamp Training: Storage, Handling, and Labeling

Examples of lamps that have a hazardous component include:

  • Fluorescent tubes and bulbs and high-intensity discharge lamps
  • Neon and mercury vapor lamps
  • High-pressure sodium and metal halide lamps

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    Handling Lamps

    Lamps are very fragile and can break easily. Employees who handle lamps should know these basic procedures.

    After removing a bulb or lamp from the fixture, immediately place it in a strong box or other sturdy container that is compatible with the contents of the lamp or bulb.

    Include sufficient padding or the equivalent to prevent bulb or lamp breakage in its container. The container or box itself must be sufficiently strong to prevent damage to the bulbs or lamps under normal storage conditions and to protect them while being shipped and lack evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions.

    Put any lamp that shows evidence of breakage, leakage, or damage that could cause the release of mercury or other hazardous material to the environment in its own container.


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    How to Label Lamps

    Each lamp or lamp container or package in which that holds lamps must be labeled or marked clearly with one of the following phrases:

    “Universal Waste – Lamp(s),” or
    “Waste Lamp(s),” or
    “Used Lamp(s).”

    Lamp Storage

    Lamps should be stored in containers, such as cardboard boxes or fiber drums, that are adequate to prevent breakage. Keep boxes or drums closed at all times unless a bulb or lamp is being placed in the box or drum.

    What about broken lamps? Broken lamps should be stored in a closed, structurally sound container. Keep these boxes, drums, or other containers in a dry place.

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