Old mcc surveys

[ACDC]

Hi all.
I have a old (15-20yrs) MCC on site which i need to dispose of. The starter compartments are a mix of contactors, capacitors relays e.t.c. which are old, unlegible and obsolete. Now (here comes the can of worms) I believe that these components may contain mercury, cadium and all other kinds of nasty chemicals which comes under a hazardous waste directive, so i cant just dump the MCC at the local scrappy!
The client has asked me to get someone to carry out a survey to determine what chemicals/waste there is, and the correct way to dispose of the MCC along with the relevant paper trail and disposal certificate.

Has anyone done this before or can you recommend a company in the wales (Cardiff) area?

Thanks in advance guys

 

[IQ Electrical]

I take it this is a motor control center?

You are probably looking at (but not limited to) PCBs which are extremely hazardous.

PCBs, as special wastes, need to be safely disposed of at facilities licensed to dispose of them, and consigned in accordance with the Special Waste Regulations 1996 (as amended) (Special Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998) and in accordance with the consignment note system. The wastes will need to be transported for disposal by a carrier registered with the Environment Agencies under The Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure of Vehicles) Regulations 1991 and the Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure of Vehicles) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999.

There's some good information here: HSE - Publications: Do you know how to work safely with PC...

 

[Knobhead]

Your best bet is to contact the environmental heath department for local licensed companies.

 

[ACDC]

Hi IQ

Yes, it is a motor control center.

Its exactly what you said that i want to comply with, its just i am not qualified to carry out such a survey which is why i am asking if anyone knows of such a specialist company out there that can help me.

Thanks Tony, i contacted environmental health, they wanted to know what chemicals i was dealing with, which i i can only give them assumptions on what i thought may be present, they will get back to me.

I take it this is a motor control center?

You are probably looking at (but not limited to) PCBs which are extremely hazardous.

PCBs, as special wastes, need to be safely disposed of at facilities licensed to dispose of them, and consigned in accordance with the Special Waste Regulations 1996 (as amended) (Special Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998) and in accordance with the consignment note system. The wastes will need to be transported for disposal by a carrier registered with the Environment Agencies under The Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure of Vehicles) Regulations 1991 and the Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure of Vehicles) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999.

There's some good information here: HSE - Publications: Do you know how to work safely with PC...

 

[Knobhead]

I’m glad you’ve gone down the right path and you’re doing it right.

Thinking back to some of the MCC panels I’ve scrapped, I’d be marched up to the wall and shot now a days. Strip the copper and cut the rest up and sling it in the metal scrap! Mercury, PCB’s and selenium being amongst what got slung.

Nobody bothered then.

 

[silva.foxx]

Environment Agency - Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)

 

[Knobhead]

I dread to think what selenium has done to me over the years. We had 100’s of rectifiers with it in, you’d open a panel door and a brown fog would meet you. Just go and get another one from stores and change it. Never thought anything more about it.

 

[netblindpaul]

ACDC,
I may be able to find a couple of companies local to us.
I will need a little while though.

Are you ACDC based in Swansea?

 

[ACDC]

Thanks for all your replies guys, great help, will let you know how i get on

Agreed Tony, you cant get away with just taking it to the scrappies these days, get caught and thats your a**e.......

I’m glad you’ve gone down the right path and you’re doing it right.

Thinking back to some of the MCC panels I’ve scrapped, I’d be marched up to the wall and shot now a days. Strip the copper and cut the rest up and sling it in the metal scrap! Mercury, PCB’s and selenium being amongst what got slung.

Nobody bothered then.