Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a fine of thousands of dollars to Portland State in May for several waste safety violations discovered during an inspection of the campus in October 2007. Several violations that the school received focus on broken fluorescent lamps found in the basement of the Millar Library. According to the official inspection report provided by the DEQ, broken or spent fluorescent lamps, which are considered a “universal waste,” were stored in unmarked, open boxes and drums.
PSU fined $13,800 for DEQ violations
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a fine of thousands of dollars to Portland State in May for several waste safety violations discovered during an inspection of the campus in October 2007.
Several violations that the school received focus on broken fluorescent lamps found in the basement of the Millar Library.
According to the official inspection report provided by the DEQ, broken or spent fluorescent lamps, which are considered a “universal waste,” were stored in unmarked, open boxes and drums.
The report also said broken fluorescent lamps were found on the floor of the basement.
Other violations the school was cited for were failure to inspect eyewash shower stations in the West Heating Building, as well as eyewash shower stations in Science Buildings One and Two.
Further, PSU was cited for failing to inspect the hazardous waste container storage area in the West Heating Building on a weekly basis.
David Hobbs, assistant director of Facilities at Portland State, called the violations minimal. “This wasn’t radioactive waste, this wasn’t chemical waste, this was pretty low-lying fruit of universal waste,” Hobbs said.
The $13,800 in fines will be paid for out of the Environmental Health and Safety budget, according to Hobbs, who said the payout will have a minimal effect on budgeted funds.
This is not the first time that the university has had to pay fines to the DEQ.
In 2001, Portland State was fined $8,400 for failing to determine hazardous waste. In 2003 the university was originally fined $10,453 for a total of 10 DEQ violations, but the amount was later settled to $7,253 for only six violations.
DEQ Environmental Law Specialist Sarah Greenley said that it is generally more common for some large-quantity waste generators such as Portland State to receive these types of violations, because they generally have more waste to look after.
However, Greenley added that large-quantity generators are also expected to know the rules as well.
Hobbs said that this year’s DEQ violations were the result of “simple oversight,” and said the university plans to better supervise employees responsible for the disposal of hazardous waste items.
“The key thing to emphasize,” Hobbs said, “is that while we were cited and we were fined for these things, we have appropriately responded for all three of these things.”
He added that PSU plans to actively test the equipment on a weekly basis in accordance with DEQ regulations.
Portland State’s penalty record with DEQ2001: $8,4002003: $7,2532008: $13,800
