Oregon State University to pay $275,000 for hazardous waste violations

PORTLAND – Oregon State University has agreed to pay $275,000 in a settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency, which found multiple hazardous waste violations during a 2013 inspection of the Corvallis campus.

The Gazette-Times reports that the EPA announced the settlement Monday. The agreement also requires OSU to provide comprehensive safety training to employees.

During the June 2013 inspection, EPA officials found containers of hazardous materials that were not properly labeled, managed or stored as required under federal law. The agency also said the university lacked a federal permit for storing the materials, which included flammable liquids and toxic chemicals.

Kevin Schanilec with the EPA’s regional office in Seattle says OSU administrators acted quickly to properly dispose of the hazardous substances after being informed of the violations.