KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT BILL GRAVES, GOVERNOR Gary R. Mitchell, Secretary

August 29, 1997

Contact: Don Brown

(785) 296-1529

Columbian Steel Tank Company Fined $25,200 for Hazardous Waste Violations

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued an administrative order assessing a $25,200 civil penalty against Columbian Steel Tank Company for violations of state and federal hazardous waste regulations.

KDHE staff inspected Columbian's steel tank manufacturing facility at 5400 Kansas Ave., Kansas City, Kan. on April 24. Violations identified during this inspection were:

• failure to update notification of hazardous activity;
• failure to retain copy of biennial report;
• failure to store reactive hazardous waste greater than 50 feet of property line;
• failure to label 16 containers with the words "Hazardous Waste;"
• failure to label 13 containers with the accumulation start date;
• storing hazardous waste in six open containers;
• failure to provide or implement a personnel training program;
• failure to update contingency plan; and
• failure to report correct amount of hazardous waste generated on the 1996 Biennial Report.

Columbian is in the process of correcting the violations.

State law authorizes the department to issue civil penalties for hazardous waste violations. The administrative order is subject to appeal to the Secretary of Health and Environment.