ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY HEADLINESEnvironment and Sustainability
Sandvik Settles Hazardous Waste Violations with EPA
Oct. 13, 2009 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that Sandvik Inc. has agreed to pay a $160,017 penalty to settle alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations at its manufacturing facility in Clark Summit, Pa.
RCRA is the federal law governing the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste.
RCRA is designed to protect public health and the environment, and avoid costly cleanups, by requiring the safe, environmentally sound storage and disposal of hazardous waste.
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EPA cited Sandvik for violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) following inspections in September 2007 and August 2008. Sandvik was cited for violations involving hazardous waste stored at the facility, including spent caustic cleaner waste.
The alleged violations included operating a hazardous waste storage facility without a permit, failure to conduct weekly and daily inspections, failure to keep one container of hazardous waste closed, and failure to provide an adequate hazardous waste management training program.
The alleged violations involve storage and recordkeeping violations, but not discharges of hazardous waste. The settlement penalty reflects the company’s compliance efforts and the relatively small quantity of hazardous wastes involved, as well as the company’s cooperation with EPA.
Sandvik has neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations, but has certified its compliance with applicable RCRA requirements.
Sandvik Materials Technology is part of the high-technology Sandvik Group, which does business through 300 companies in 130 countries and has approximately 37,000 employees worldwide.
Located in Clarks Summit, PA, Sandvik Materials Technology NAFTA is Sandvik’s largest steel subsidiary outside of Sweden. It has more than a century of tradition and experience as a producer of high-duty steels. Established in 1971, the plants at Clarks Summit are home to approximately 285 employees.