HELP Meeting Minutes
July 21, 1999
Immunex Corporation

1. Welcome and Agenda
   

2. Partnerships in Medical Industry Waste Prevention

   Brad Gong, ICOS, gave an overview of the issue of solid waste generation and recycling potential for materials (i.e., plastics) generated in the laboratory. He introduced, both, Kinley Deller, Green Works Business Assistance Program and David Stitzhal, MRP President, Full Circle Environmental, Inc.

   David provided a general history of the recent interest in recycling in the Medical Waste Industry. There is an EPA grant that provides money to evaluate the recycling potential for hospitals. Additionally, there is a group organized called the Medical Industry Waste Prevention Round Table which includes representatives from different medical institutions. David and Kinley encourage members of the HELP group to attend meetings held by the roundtable. The next meeting is to be held Monday July 26, 1999 from 1:30 — 3:30 at Children's Hospital. (The next meeting after that will be from 1:30pm to 3:00pm September 2^nd at the King County Water and Land Resources Dept. at 130 Nickerson Street, Suite 100)

   There are numerous King County Programs available which provide recycling incentives and information. These programs include:

   • Envirostars: Business assistance and business reward program

   • Green works: Business recycling and Waste prevention assistance

   • Voucher program: Local hazardous waste management program — The county will match 50% up to $500 toward implementation of a pollution prevention opportunity.

   There was a general discussion regarding plastic recycling. The plastic processing facility has shutdown and therefore it is easier to recycle glass at this time. David reiterated that another option is to focus on the material prior its entry into the lab.  There was a general discussion on the types of waste generated by the biotech industry and a recommendation was made to generate a spreadsheet that listed the materials recyclable and the vendor used. Additionally, add the materials that one would like to be recycled.  EIC will present the spreadsheet to the HELP members at the next HELP meeting and will post it on their website.

   
   

3. Lockout / Tagout Program
   

   • Denise Bender gave a general overview of the Immunex Lockout / Tagout Program. The program highlights included a general discussion of three aspects of the program:

   • Specific lockout / tagout procedures need to be written for equipment that meet the following criteria; multiple energy sources or equipment that has stored or residual energy. General procedures can be written for equipment that does not have stored or residual energy, can be isolated with a single lock, the equipment will not adversely effect personnel in the area, or the equipment is under exclusive control of the operator servicing it.

   • Lockout / tagout procedures for shift changes

   • Lockout / tagout procedures for contractors.

   • There was a general discussion of how others implemented company lockout / tagout procedures. Copies of the Immunex standard operating procedure are available from Denise Bender.

4. EH&S / Hazardous Material Tech job openings
   

   • Molecumetrics: EH&S entry level position open to support EH&S Manager and Facilities/purchasing support. The person must have background in chemistry. (This position has been filled.)

     Immunex: EH&S Associate: Entry level with a background in chemistry to assist in hazardous waste management activities as well as other EH&S responsibilities.
     

5. Next Meeting: September 22, 1999

• Topic: Indoor Air Quality Issues and Concerns — Bring case studies / resolution to the problems

  Meeting to be held at Clayton Environmental at 4636 E. Marginal Way S. in Seattle.