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EPA settles with RHS Lee for $10,000 over hazardous waste violations

Release Date: 06/20/2007
Contact Information: Dean Higuchi, 808-541-2711, higuchi.dean@epa.gov

(06/20/07) HONOLULU – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently settled with RHS Lee, Inc. a specialty contracting firm with emphasis in grading, site preparation, excavation, demolition, and trucking for $10,000 for hazardous waste violations on its facility located in Pearl City, Oahu.

In May 2004, the EPA conducted a routine compliance inspection of the RHS Lee, Inc. facility and found the company failing to make a proper determination of its hazardous waste.

“Any operation that generates hazardous wastes needs to manage the waste properly to protect public health and the environment,” said Jeff Scott, Director of Waste Programs for the EPA Pacific Southwest Region. “The company also needs to make the proper notification of its hazardous waste activities and also manage its used oil as required by the law.”

RHS Lee, Inc. also failed to respond to a release of used oil, store used oil in containers in good condition, properly mark the used oil storage containers, and store used oil in compliance with spill prevention regulations.

Inspectors also found batteries considered universal waste were not properly managed, stored or, labeled, and exceeded the accumulation time limit requirements for universal waste

The waste found at the facility has since been disposed at an off island hazardous waste disposal facility.

The EPA’s hazardous waste rules require facilities to properly store, label and seal hazardous waste containers. Facilities must also have properly trained staff, as improperly stored hazardous waste can potentially spill and pose a risk to workers and the environment. Proper disposal of hazardous waste is required at a permitted disposal site with the proper permits and notifications made to the EPA.

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