SOP 4.

9: Explosive or Reactive
Chemical Waste Management
Household
Hazardous
Waste

Contents
1. Introduction..............................................................................1
2. Regulatory and contractual requirements.................................1
3. Staff qualifications....................................................................1
4. Safety and health precautions..................................................2
5. Equipment and supplies...........................................................3
6. Responding to an unstable waste incident...............................3
Attachment A: Unstable waste examples and unstable chemical list
Attachment B: Reactive chemical guidance list................................7
Attachment C: Shock sensitive chemical guidance list.....................8

1. Introduction
Explosives are not a waste type this Facility normally accepts. However, a situation could occur when the
management of explosives may be inevitable. Violent reactions can occur with explosive, reactive, or
incompatible chemicals. Facility staff shall follow established safe work practices to reduce potential for
injury while managing these unstable waste types. For this SOP, all potentially explosive, reactive, or
incompatible chemicals or wastes will be referred to as unstable.
The chain of command for responding to a potential unstable waste event is: Facility staff contact
the local police and the State Duty Officer. Emergency Response and/or Bomb Squad staff will then be
dispatched to respond to the Facility crisis.

2. Regulatory and contractual requirements

The proper management of unstable hazardous waste (HW) is governed by the requirements established in
the HHW program and state agency contract (see Exhibit A); Minn. Rules pt. 7045.0310; and local fire and
building codes. To contact the State Duty Officer: 1-800-422-0798.

3. Staff qualifications
3.1 Training
3.1.1

The designated Program staff responsible for ensuring proper response steps are followed
upon the discovery of unstable wastes is the Facility Manager. This person shall enforce
response policies as they relate to staff actions and conduct.

3.1.2

This Facility shall have a written training program that describes the management of

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unstable wastes relevant to job duties and includes function-specific training, safety,
regulatory, and emergency procedures.
3.1.3

Staff shall be trained for proper unstable waste responses prior to incidents occurring. Staff
shall be trained within six months of hire or be supervised by trained staff.

3.1.4

Unknown or abandoned wastes shall be accepted by the program, may be commingled with
HHW, and are subject to the state indemnification provided the wastes are properly
disposed of. See SOP 4.3 Abandoned and Unknown Waste Management.

4. Safety and health precautions

4.1

Safety requirements
4.1.1

Staff shall keep movement of any suspected unstable containers to an absolute minimum.

4.1.2

Staff shall take precautions to prevent any impacts to the environment and follow safety
requirements; see SOP 2.10 HW Contingency Plan.

4.1.3

No smoking, eating, or drinking is allowed in Facility waste processing areas.

4.1.4

Staff shall routinely look for immediate dangers to nearby staff and property and keep alert
for suspicious activities or behaviors; see SOP 4.14 Security Issues.

4.1.5

Proper ergonomic techniques shall be utilized while managing unstable wastes; see SOP
2.11 Ergonomics.

4.2

Health and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements

4.2.1

Engineering and work practice controls shall be utilized to minimize or eliminate staff
chemical exposures.

4.2.2

PPE shall be utilized if the potential for exposure remains after the institution of work
practice controls; see SOP 2.4 PPE. Experienced staff judgment shall be used for unique
conditions and situations to determine PPE. If unstable wastes must be managed, the
following PPE shall be used:

Safety glasses with side shields, goggles, or equivalent eye protection

Footwear with reinforced toe or toe caps or equivalent foot protection

Nitrile gloves or equivalent hand protection

Chemical splash apron, Tyvek coveralls, or equivalent body protection

Respiratory protection (if Program has a respiratory protection plan)

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4.3

Medical monitoring requirements

The designated staff responsible for ensuring proper unstable waste response steps are followed
shall also establish procedures to continually verify this Programs medical monitoring program
meets OSHA requirements. Staff exposed to HHW substances greater than OSHA Permissible
Exposure Limit (PEL) for 30 or more days per year shall receive annual medical monitoring
examinations; see SOP 2.13 Medical Monitoring Recommendations.

4.4 Emergency response

Only trained emergency response or HW contractors shall respond to incidents requiring assistance
beyond the capabilities of Facility staff. The designated staff responsible for ensuring proper
unstable waste response steps are followed shall make prior agreements with emergency responders
who could be called upon for unstable waste incidents; see Section 6 of this SOP and SOP 2.10
Emergency Contingency Plan.

5. Equipment and supplies

5.1 Staff managing unstable wastes require adequate supplies, equipment, and a secured Facility process
area.

5.2 This Facility shall be equipped with a designated area to set incoming potentially unstable or
explosive materials. An outside Facility explosion area is constructed to provide protection should
an explosion incident occur. The area shall:

be set up prior to an unstable waste incident occurring.

be located outside the Facility and not exceed minimum distances to the closest
building, as determined by local fire and building codes.

be located in a designated, secured area.

be able to withstand a pressure blast to protect surrounding persons and property.

consist of an empty flammable storage area or be constructed in a pit location:

the explosion pit may be constructed by:
1. clearly mark a 55- or 85-gallon steel drum or cement culvert with the words Explosive
2. bury 5-gallon container inside above drum or culvert in sand and/or inert absorbent
material.
3. clearly mark the Facility explosion area with the words Secure Area, Authorized Personnel
Only.

6. Responding to an unstable waste incident

6.1

Identification of unstable waste containers and contents

1. Prompt reaction of Facility staff following discovery of unstable waste is critical. Staff shall
immediately examine any suspected unstable waste at the time of drop-off.
2. Examine the container integrity and markings to determine if segregation from other wastes is

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warranted or if the situation is an emergency; see Attachment A of this SOP to review a list of
suspicious items or chemicals for staff must be alert for.
3. ANY containers with suspicious buildup of crystals on the cap or within container require immediate
staff attention as the situation may be dangerous.

4. Do not move any suspected unstable waste! Follow all procedures in Section 6 of this SOP prior
to accepting or moving potential unstable wastes.

6.2 Staff evaluating suspected unstable materials shall attempt to learn as much as possible about the
waste from the participant. If they do not know the answers to the questions below, assume the
situation is potentially dangerous and consider the waste an immediate hazard. If there are no
markings on the waste container, staff shall ask the participant:

Do they have any hobbies that may provide clues as to the contents?

Do they have any ideas of the container contents?

How old is the container?

What was the item used for?

How often has the container been opened, and when was the last time it was
opened?

6.3 Explosive wastes: Staff shall not disturb potential explosive containers, as detonation may occur
by any physical movement; see Attachment A of this SOP or refer/contact the states HW disposal
company Hazardous Categorization Training Manual for further instruction. If any of the
container markings listed in Attachment A of this SOP are discovered, clear and secure the
Facility area and notify authorities immediately.

6.5 Reactive wastes: Staff shall continually monitor and be aware of potential chemical reactions.
Visually inspect waste container to determine if chemicals are reacting. Reaction signs may include:

smoking, fizzing, or exothermic (giving off heat).

containers have markings such as di, tri, terta , multi or nitro wastes,
dintrophenol, dinotroglycerin, trinitropenol or picric acid, tertanitroresorcinol. See Attachment
B of this SOP to view a Reactive Chemical Guidance List.

6.6 Shock sensitive wastes: Many common chemicals have the potential for producing a violent
explosion when subjected to friction or shock (e.g., being struck, vibrated, agitated); see Attachment
C of this SOP for a list of shock sensitive chemicals. Staff shall not relocate or move wastes until
they are very certain it is safe to do so! Staff shall not assume that because the waste has
successfully made the trip into the Facility, that it is now safe to process. Handle unstable
chemicals as minimally as possible until professional help arrives.

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6.7

Emergency response
Staff shall immediately implement the following response steps upon discovery and
determination of an unstable waste:
1.

Immediately notify local emergency responders and the Minnesota State Duty Officer (1800-422-0798). Describe the situation and follow all instructions. Emergency response staff
shall summon the Bomb Squad if the situation deems necessary. Bomb Squad assists in
assessing the hazard of the situation. Only specially trained bomb squad personnel shall remove
and detonate explosive materials in a safe environment.

2. If the suspected container is too dangerous to move, leave participant vehicle where it is and
evacuate all occupants. Ensure the occupants do not cause the vehicle to vibrate while exiting
(e.g., leave vehicle doors open while exiting).
3. Evacuate the immediate area and provide a safety radius of 300 feet away from the unstable
waste. Restrict access to the area.
4. Inform all nearby persons of the dangerous situation and the waste location.
5. Staff may choose to continue accepting waste from the public during this time using an alternate
receiving location (e.g., parking lot, driveway, transfer station). It may be necessary to
temporarily suspend Facility operations until the incident is resolved.

6.8

Stable waste management

1.If waste is stable enough to minimally handle, contain and segregate the items (avoid the use of
plastic bags as they may create a spark from static electricity). These include waste items which
may be safely removed from the participants vehicle and placed in an appropriate storage area.
2.Waste that is new and sealed (look for containers marked with manufacture or expiration dates)
and in a relatively new container may suggest the item is less dangerous.
3.Some wastes may be wetted to minimize fire or explosive risks; refer/contact the states HW
disposal company Hazardous Categorization Training Manual for further instruction.
4.Do not store wastes in the sun or in a hot area, inside a vehicle, or at any location where it may be
disturbed.

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Attachment A

Waste items demanding immediate staff response

Staff shall be constantly alert for unstable waste containers with the following labels, markings, or chemicals:
1.

Anhydrous ether

an old can, labeled ether may be explosive

staff shall not move or open these containers, especially if there is no participant history

crystals can form around inside container threads, in lids, or in solution which may not be visible

2.

Blasting caps: fuse type or unknown type

3.

Bombs

4.

5.

6.
7.

metal or PVC pipe bombs

may be in any shape

may be wrapped in duct tape

gel tubes or slurries (pink or white tubes sausage-looking: generally 2 inches in diameter and larger)

Dynamite

brown or tan casing with 5-star fold at one end

staff shall consider to be extremely dangerous if wet, glistening, or soft to the touch

homemade explosive devices like tennis balls wrapped in duct tape

may be labeled with unusual or hand-written markings indicating explosive hazards

key words: nitro, explosive, shock sensitive, material should only be handled by a trained technician

evidence that dynamite may be present includes detonation cord, electric blasting caps, shock tube
blasting caps, multiple containers of black powder or smokeless powder

items labeled high explosive (are explosive but require a charge to detonate)

Flares

have strikers that will ignite through friction

have orange or red casings (dynamite is usually brown)

must be separated from other materials

flares may not need to be managed as explosive waste types

Flash powder or photo-flash

Fireworks

smokeless powder, pryrodex (as indicated on original container label)

ammoniun nitrate (hobby powder)

nitromethane (hobby rocket pellets)

boosters (typically have no markings)

ammunition or fireworks may not need to be managed as an explosive waste type

8.

Military ordnance: grenades or shells

9.

Nitrogen: container shows evidence that the headspace had nitrogen blown into it

10. Pictric acid

unknown, dry or white powders

extremely shock sensitive materials

commonly found in medical or research laboratories

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used as a dye, chemical reagent, or in explosives/firework manufacturing

in dry form, may explode if exposed to minute amounts of heat, flame, or shock

is a strong oxidant which may react violently if exposed to metals, metal salts, amines, ammonia,
bases, plaster, or concrete

key words: Trinitrophenol, Flammable, Dangerous When Wet, Shock Sensitive, Keep Dry

11. Sodium amide

if uncontaminated, color will be a white to gray crystalline material

has an ammonia odor

the pure material is water reactive

if old or degraded, color will be yellow to brown with discoloration beginning at the bottom and is a
potential fire and/or explosion hazard

12. Unrecognizable wastes

inside lab or industrial containers

covered in wax

sealed in metal or fiber containers

often less than a quart in size

markings indicating the container been (or need to be) refrigerated

Unstable chemical waste list The list is not all-inclusive, but includes wastes commonly
processed at HHW facilities. Please use this list as a general reference only.
Acetal
Hydrogen peroxide (>8%)
Activated charcoal
Isopropyl ether
Aldehydes
Lithium metal (powder)
Alkenes
Metal peroxides
Ammonium nitrate
Metal turnings (non-DWW)
Benzoyl peroxide pastes
Methyl acetylene
Benzylic hydrogen atoms
Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide
Calcium hypochlorite (solid)
Naphthalene (mothballs/flakes)
Calcium metal (powder)
Nitrates
Charcoal (briquettes/screen/shell)
Paraformaldehyde powder (found in 2 part resin glue)
Chromates
Perchlorates
Cumene
Permanganates
Cyclohexene
Phosphorus black, red, white
Cyclooctene
Picric acid (wet)
Decahydronaphthalene
Pool chemicals (solid)
Decalin
Potassium dichromate
Diacetylene
Potassium metal
Dicyclopentadiene
Potassium nitrate
Diethyl ether
Sodium amide
Diethylene glycol
Sodium hydrosulfite (iron out / water softener cleaner)
Diisopropyl ether
Sodium hypochlorate
Dimethyl ether
Sodium hypochlorite (solid)
Dinitro compounds (wet)
Sodium nitrate
Dinitro compounds (wet)
Sodium perchlorate
Dioxane
Sodium sulfide (<30% water of crystallization)
Divinyl acetylene
Tetrahydrofuran (THF)
Ethers, cyclic ethers, containing primary &
Tetrahydronaphthalene
secondary alcohol groups
Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (glyme)
Tetralin
Fiberglass ardeners/resins
Vinyl, vinyl acetate & vinylidene compounds

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Fuses

Vinylidene chloride

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Attachment B

Reactive Chemical Guidance List

Keep these
+

Away from these

Or you may get these

Acids
Acids or bases

Bases
Reactive metals (aluminum,

Heat violent reaction

Fire

beryllium, calcium, lithium,

Explosion

potassium, magnesium, sodium,

Hydrogen gas

zinc powder), metal hydrides

Water or alcohols

Concentrated acids or bases

Heat

(calcium, lithium, potassium,

Fire

metal hydrides, other waste

Explosion

reactives)

Flammable and toxic gases

Reactive organic compounds or

Concentrated acids or bases,

Fire

solvents (alcohols, aldehydes,

reactive metals and metal

Explosion

nitrated hydrocarbons)

hydrides

Cyanide or sulfide solutions

Acids

Toxic hydrogen
Cyanide

Strong oxidizers (chlorates,

Organic acids, concentrated

Sulfide gas
Fire

chlorine, chlorites, chromic acid,

mineral acids, reactive metals,

Explosion

hypochlorites, nitrates,

metal hydrides, reactive organic

perchlorates, permanganates,

compounds or solvents,

peroxides)

flammable or combustible waste

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Attachment C

Shock Sensitive Chemical Guidance List

Acetylides
Aluminum ophorite explosive
Amatol
Ammonal
Ammonium nitrate
Ammonium perchlorate
Ammonium picrate
Ammonium salt lattice
Butyl tetryl
Calcium nitrate
Copper acetylide
Cyanuric triazide
Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine
dinitroethyleneurea
dinitroglycerine
dinitrophenol
dinitrophenolates
dinitrophenyl hydrazine
dinitrotoluene
dipicryl sulfone
dipicrylamine
erythritol tetranitrate
fulminate of mercury
fulminate of silver
fulminating gold
fulminating mercury
fulminating platinum
gelatinized nitrocellulose
guanyl nitrosamino guanyltetrazene
guanyl nitrosamino guanylidene hydrazine
guanylidene
heavy metal azides
hexanite
hexanitrodiphenylamine
hexanitrostilbene
hexogen
hydrazine mixtures
hydrazinium nitrate
lead azide
lean mannite
lead mononitroresorcinate
lead picrate
lead salts
lead styphnate

magnesium ophorite
mannitol hexanitrate
mercury oxalatemercury tartrate
nitrated carbohydrate
nitrated glucoside
nitrated polyhydric alcohol
nitrogen trichloride
nitrogen tri-iodide
nitroglycerin
nitroglycide
nitroglycol
nitroguanidine
nitroparaffins
nitronium perchlorate
nitrotoluene
nitrourea
organic amine nitrates
organic nitramines
organic peroxides
picramic acid
picramide
picric acid
picryl chloride
picyrl fluoride
polynitro aliphatic compounds
potassium nitroaminotetrazole
silver acetylide
silver azide
silver stryphnate
silver tetrazene
sodatol
sodium amatol
sodium dinitro-ortho-cresolate
sodium nitrate-potassium
explosive mixtures
sodium picramate
syphnic acid
tetrazene
tetranitrocarbazole
tetrytolhydrazoic acid
trinitroanisole
trinitrobenezene
trinitrobenzoic acid

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