40 CFR § 262.254 - Access to communications or alarm system.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t40/s262.254"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "40 CFR § 262.254 - Access to communications or alarm system."
title_number: 40
title_name: "Protection of Environment"
section_number: "262.254"
section_name: "Access to communications or alarm system."
chapter_name: "ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "SOLID WASTES"
part_number: "262"
part_name: "STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO GENERATORS OF HAZARDOUS WASTE"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C. 6906, 6912, 6922-6925, 6937, 6938 and 6939g."
regulatory_source: "45 FR 33142, May 19, 1980, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "262"
---
# 262.254 Access to communications or alarm system.
(a) Whenever hazardous waste is being poured, mixed, spread, or otherwise handled, all personnel involved in the operation must have immediate access (*e.g.,* direct or unimpeded access) to an internal alarm or emergency communication device, either directly or through visual or voice contact with another employee, *unless* such a device is not required under § 262.252.
(b) In the event there is just one employee on the premises while the facility is operating, the employee must have immediate access (*e.g.,* direct or unimpeded access) to a device, such as a telephone (immediately available at the scene of operation) or a hand-held two-way radio, capable of summoning external emergency assistance, *unless* such a device is not required under § 262.252.