Disasters & HazMat, Solid, and Medical Waste

Natural Hazard

A naturally occurring phenomenon that can cause injury, disease, or death (often called a natural disaster when severe).

National Environmental Event

Geologic or weather-driven occurrence (e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes) that may produce serious physical and psychological health consequences.

Natural Disaster

An extreme natural hazard (e.g., tsunami, flood) causing substantial loss of human life and property and creating new response needs.

Man-Made Disaster

An emergency originating from human actions such as terrorism, nuclear, biological, or chemical events.

Complex Disaster

A natural disaster that escalates an ongoing crisis or triggers a technological disaster, affecting communities already stressed by factors like climate change or war.

Emergency (general definition)

A serious, unexpected, often dangerous situation requiring immediate action; each case differs in size, location, and hazards.

Emergency Declaration

Official act stating that conditions justify use of governmental powers to respond (federal, state, local, or health emergency).

State of War Emergency

Federal declaration enacted when the nation is at war, activating special governmental powers.

State of Emergency (Governor’s Proclamation)

State-level declaration granting extraordinary powers and resources to manage a crisis.

Local Emergency

Declaration by local authorities enabling access to emergency powers, funds, and mutual aid.

Health Emergency

Declaration focused on protecting public health during widespread disease or health threats.

Incident Command System (ICS)

Standard on-scene management structure with common terminology, integrated communications, and an Incident Action Plan.

National Incident Management System (NIMS)

U.S. framework enabling government, private, and nongovernmental organizations to work together during incidents.

Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS)

California’s state-specific incident management system aligned with NIMS.

Unified Command System (UCS)

ICS feature that allows agencies with different authorities to coordinate under a single organizational structure while retaining authority.

Manageable Span of Control

ICS principle that one supervisor directs 3–7 subordinates (ideal = 5) for effective management.

Incident Action Plan (IAP)

Written or verbal plan that guides incident objectives, strategies, and tactics for a specific operational period.

Risk Assessment

Process that identifies potential hazards and analyzes possible outcomes if they occur.

Damage Assessment

Post-disaster evaluation determining the location, nature, and severity of damage to public and private sectors.

HAZWOPER

Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response Standard (29 CFR 1910.120 / 1926.65) governing worker safety in hazardous waste and emergency response activities.

Health and Safety Plan (HASP)

Written plan required by HAZWOPER detailing procedures to protect response personnel during hazardous operations.

National Response Center (NRC)

Single U.S. point of contact (40 CFR 300.125) for reporting pollution and hazardous-material incidents.

National Response Team (NRT)

Federal interagency group that provides technical assistance, resources, and policy guidance during hazardous material incidents.

Disaster Service Worker

Personnel assigned specific tasks during emergencies, often protected under special liability and compensation statutes.

Emergency Support Functions (ESFs)

Framework grouping federal (and state) capabilities to provide coordinated support and resources during incidents.

ESF #8 – Public Health & Medical

Function responsible for public health, medical services, and medical logistics support during emergencies.

ESF #10 – Oil & Hazardous Materials

Function providing federal support for response to oil spills and hazardous-materials releases.

Four Phases of Emergency Management

Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation—cyclical activities that reduce risk and guide disaster efforts.

Preparedness

Planning, training, and exercises conducted before an emergency to ensure effective response.

Response (Phase)

Immediate actions taken to protect life and property during a disaster.

Recovery

Activities aimed at rebuilding and restoring community functions after a disaster.

Mitigation

Long-term projects or policies designed to reduce or eliminate future hazard risks.

Environmental Health Functions (in disasters)

Food and drug safety, worker health, vector control, potable water and wastewater oversight, solid waste disposal, mass feeding, and environmental monitoring.

Vector Control

Management of insects or animals (e.g., mosquitoes, rodents) to prevent disease transmission after disasters.

Disease Prevention & Control Measures

Activities such as ensuring safe water, food safety, sanitation, hazardous-waste management, and pest control in disaster settings.

Emergency Action Plan

Site-specific procedure detailing alarm systems, evacuation routes, critical-operation shutdown, personnel accountability, and training review.

Potable Water Requirement

Recommended 3–6 gallons of safe drinking water per person per day during a disaster.

Bleach Water Disinfection Ratio

Add 6–8 drops of 5.25% household bleach to 1 gallon of clear water (double for turbid water) and let stand 20 minutes.

Iodine Water Disinfection Ratio

Add 8 drops of 2% iodine tincture to 1 quart of clear water and wait 30 minutes (note: iodine can be toxic).

Mass Care and Shelter

Provision of temporary housing, food, and basic needs; recommended 30 sq ft of shelter space per person.

Emergency Evacuation (homes/businesses)

Procedure to shut off water and gas valves and disconnect appliances before leaving threatened structures.

Nuclear Disaster Planning Standard

Requirement to notify populations within 10 miles of a nuclear facility within 15 minutes and test response plans biennially.

California Integrated Waste Management Act (AB 939)

1989 law requiring 50 % diversion of waste from landfills.

CCR Title 27 §§ 20510–20705

California regulations prescribing minimum operating and design standards for active landfills.

CCR Title 14 §§ 17301–17350

Rules for solid-waste and tire storage and removal standards.

CCR Title 14 §§ 17400–17405

Regulations for transfer/processing operations and facilities.

Senate Bill 1383

California law mandating 50 % organic-waste reduction by 2020 and 75 % by 2025 to cut short-lived climate pollutants.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

1976 federal framework for managing hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste.

RCRA Subtitle C

Section governing hazardous waste requirements.

RCRA Subtitle D

Section governing non-hazardous solid waste, including municipal landfills and compost.

Solid Waste (includes)

Garbage, refuse, agricultural waste, treatment sludge, mining wastes, industrial waste.

Solid Waste (excludes)

Domestic sewage, agricultural manures, crop residues used as fertilizer, NPDES point-source discharges, nuclear waste, mining residues returned to mine.

Class I Landfill

Site permitted to accept hazardous and non-hazardous wastes.

Class II Landfill

Site allowed to accept designated and non-hazardous wastes.

Class III Landfill

Site restricted to non-hazardous wastes only.

Compaction (Landfill)

Mechanical densification of waste to conserve space and reduce settlement.

Daily Cover

6 inches of compacted earth placed on the active face each operating day.

Alternate Daily Cover

LEA-approved non-soil material used in place of earthen daily cover.

Intermediate Cover

12–18 inches of soil placed on areas not receiving waste for >90 days.

Final Cover

24 inches of soil (plus vegetative layer) placed after landfill closure; slope ≈ 4 °.

Vector Control (Landfills)

Measures to prevent breeding and attraction of flies, rodents, and birds.

Load Check

Inspection program that screens incoming loads for hazardous or prohibited waste.

Valley & Ravine Method

Landfill design using natural depressions; preferred by large cities.

Area (Ramp) Method

Landfill built on rolling terrain, filled level or mounded above grade.

Trench Method

Landfill where trenches are excavated in level ground and then backfilled with waste.

Leachate

Liquid that has percolated through waste, carrying dissolved and suspended contaminants.

Geomembrane (GL)

Impermeable clay-like barrier layer used in liner systems.

Flexible Membrane Liner (FML)

Impermeable synthetic sheet forming part of landfill liner.

Geotextile

Permeable synthetic fabric used for filtration and protection in liners and drains.

Single Liner

Landfill base of compacted soil or a geomembrane alone.

Composite Liner

Subtitle D-compliant layer combining compacted soil with geomembrane.

Double Liner

Two low-permeability layers with leak-detection zone between them.

Monitoring Well (Landfill)

Installed upgradient and downgradient to sample groundwater; minimum four for new sites.

Landfill Gas (LFG)

Gas generated by decomposition; ~50 % methane, poses odor, toxin, and explosion hazards.

Leachate Collection & Removal

Pipes and geosynthetics that drain leachate for the life of the landfill and 30 years post-closure.

Trust Fund / Surety Bond

Financial assurance mechanism for 30-year post-closure care.

Transfer Station

Facility where waste is consolidated; requires load checks, vector, litter, odor, and record control.

Composting (definition)

Scientifically managed aerobic decay of organic matter in a warm, moist environment.

131 °F Rule (Compost)

Minimum 131 °F for 3 days to achieve pathogen reduction.

Windrow Composting

Long piles turned at least 5 times; ≥131 °F for ≥15 days.

Aerated Static Pile

Compost piles with forced air, covered by 6–12 in. insulation; ≥131 °F for ≥3 days.

Fecal Coliform Limit (Compost)

Salmonella Limit (Compost)

Universal Waste

Common hazardous items such as batteries, fluorescent lamps, electronic devices, and CRTs.

E-Waste

Discarded electronic products containing lead, mercury, and other hazardous substances.

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

State law requiring environmental review of projects like landfills.

Local Enforcement Agency (LEA)

County or city agency that enforces solid-waste regulations and permits.

CalRecycle

State department overseeing waste reduction and recycling programs.

Medical Waste Management Act (MWMA)

California H&SC §§ 117600–118360 regulating medical waste generation, storage, treatment, disposal.

Medical Waste Generator

Person or business whose act or process produces medical waste (MWMA §117705).

Small Quantity Generator

Produces <200 lb medical waste per month.

Large Quantity Generator

Produces ≥200 lb medical waste in any month of a 12-month period.

Bloodborne Pathogens

Infectious microorganisms in blood, chiefly HIV and hepatitis B/C.

Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM)

Body fluids or unfixed tissues that may contain bloodborne pathogens.

Universal Precautions

Approach treating all blood and OPIM as infectious; use barriers like gloves and masks.

Engineering Controls

Devices that isolate or remove hazards, e.g., self-sheathing needles, sharps containers.

Administrative Controls

Work practices minimizing splashing, spraying, and droplet generation of infectious fluids.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Gloves, gowns, masks, etc., provided and enforced by employer to reduce exposure.

Exposure Control Plan

Written program detailing universal precautions, HBV vaccination, and hazard communication; reviewed annually.

Sharps Container Time Limit

Full sharps containers may be stored on-site ≤30 days.