Best Management Practices for Mobile Vehicle Crushers

Improperly crushing end-of-life vehicles leads to environmental contamination. Vehicles that are not completely drained of fluids and stripped of other hazardous materials prior to crushing can cause soil, groundwater, surface water and storm water contamination.

As a mobile crusher operator doing business in New Hampshire, you should be aware of hazardous waste requirements and safety issues associated with crushing activities, and learn best management practices that produce the least impact on the environment.

Prior to Arriving at the Salvage Yard

Ask the salvage yard manager:

• Have fluids (gas, oils, antifreeze, windshield fluid, etc.) been removed from end-of-life vehicles?
• Have air conditioner refrigerants been evacuated by qualified personnel?
• Have mercury switches, lead-acid batteries, and the gas tank been removed?
• Is a concrete or impervious pad available?
• If not, what will be used to contain fluids?
• Can crushing be done under a roof or cover?
• Has vehicle glass been removed (or shattered)?

Setting up at the Salvage Yard

• Locate the vehicle crusher on a bermed or self-contained concrete pad or other impervious surface, preferably under a roof and protected from the weather.
• The impervious surface should be sloped to contain and capture fluids.
• Position the crusher toward the center of the surface or concrete pad rather than the edge.
• Spill containment equipment should be readily available.
• Crusher should be fitted with a device to capture residual fluids. Use plastic sheeting and absorbents under collection drums or buckets to contain, clean up and reduce the impacts of minor spills.
• Do not crush in rain if the crusher is not under a roof.

Operating the Crusher

• Do not pour residual fluids or other hazardous waste inside the next vehicle to be crushed.
• Check collection drum periodically to prevent overfilling.
• Periodically clear crusher pad of dirt and debris and dispose of as solid waste. Do not throw it on the ground.
• Check and clean debris out of drain hole.

Leaving the Salvage Yard

• Clean debris off of crusher pad and dispose of as solid waste.
• Carefully move captured residual fluids generated on-site to a storage area that has an impervious surface and is under cover. These fluids should be managed and disposed by the salvage yard.
• Maintain disposal receipts for all wastes generated during crushing.

If you use a self-contained crushing unit, some of these BMPs may not apply. However, wastes are still generated that will need to be managed in accordance with New Hampshire rules and regulations.

Contact the NH Green Yards Program (603) 271-2938 regarding environmental concerns or the NH Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Service (603) 271-8590 for additional guidance about avoiding injury and other hazards associated with dangerous vehicle crushing activities.