Hazardous Materials & Waste Program: Hazardous Materials Registration Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hazardous material?

A hazardous material is defined as any material that because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released into the workplace or the environment. Hazardous materials include, but are not limited to hazardous substances, hazardous waste, and any material which a handler or the Department of Public Health has a reasonable basis for believing would be injurious to the health and safety of persons or harmful to the environment if released into the workplace or the environment. In general, if a manufacturer has provided a Material Safety Data Sheet for the substance or product, it is considered to be a hazardous substance.

Liquids: Hazardous materials include all hazardous liquids that you have on site that are in containers with a capacity greater than or equal to 1 gallon. If you operate a laboratory, include hazardous liquids that are used as a part of the laboratory function and are in containers with a capacity greater than or equal to 100 ml. Other hazardous liquids found in the laboratory, such as building maintenance supplies need to be included and reported according to the requirements for non-laboratories.

Solids: Hazardous materials include all hazardous solids that are in containers with a capacity greater than or equal to 25 pounds. If you operate a laboratory, include hazardous solids that are used as a part of the laboratory function and are in containers with a capacity greater than or equal to 25 grams. Other hazardous solids need to be included and reported according to the requirements for non-laboratories.

Compressed Gases: Hazardous materials include all compressed gases that are in containers with a capacity greater than or equal to 10 cubic feet.

What types of businesses are regulated by the Hazardous Materials program of the City and County of San Francisco?

Businesses located within the City and County of San Francisco that:

1. Handle, sell, store, or use hazardous materials (or mixtures of hazardous materials) in amounts greater than or equal to 55 gallons of liquids, 500 pounds of solids or 200 cubic feet of compressed gases, or
2. Operates a laboratory where hazardous materials are stored above the reportable quantities: 100 milliliters (0.025 gallons) or 25 grams (0.06 pounds) or 10 cubic feet.
3. Handles any one or more radioactive material or mixture containing a radioactive material in a quantity for which an emergency plan is required to be adopted pursuant to Part 30 (commencing with Section 30.1), Part 40 (commencing with Section 40.1), or Part 70 (commencing with Section 70.1), of Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or pursuant to any regulations adopted by the state in accordance with those regulations.

Making a Complaint

If you would like to make a complaint regarding Hazardous Materials Registration, you may call 311.