Restraints - SRS Component Disposal
SPECIAL SERVICE TOOLSSS004-07
Title:
SRS COMPONENT DISPOSAL AS
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL TREATMENT
August 6, 2007
Introduction
Some hazardous material treatment and handling regulations at the state and local level now define the pre-disposal deployment of airbag and pre-tensioner assemblies as hazardous material treatment. Hazardous material treatment may require special training, certification or licensing in certain areas. TMS recommends dealership personnel carefully review and follow all local and state regulations and, where necessary, contract with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Licensed Hazardous Waste Transportation and Disposal facilities.
TMS no longer recommends the manual deployment of SRS components as a general practice method of disposal. Employment of an EPA Licensed Hazardous Waste Transportation and Disposal contractor is encouraged.
Reasons for the change in practice:
^ Previously, deployed SRS components were considered to be non-hazardous waste and airbag deployment was an acceptable practice when performed safely by properly equipped service facilities.
^ The EPA has deferred the responsibility of determining if airbags, deployed or un-deployed, constitute hazardous waste to the discretion of each state.
^ Within the past several years, a number of states have ruled the deployment of airbags to be considered treatment of hazardous waste, requiring practicing dealerships to obtain a HAZMAT treatment facility permit.
^ Airbag disposal practices and protocols vary from state to state and are continuously evolving.
For information on local regulations, contacts for EPA Licensed Hazardous Waste Transportation and Disposal providers, an up-to-date list of states that require waste treatment permits" for SRS component deployment, as well as more information about airbag recycling opportunities, please consult the Environmental Assistance Network (EAN). website http:wwww.ccar-greenlink.org/tms and enter the keywords "airbag disposal".
Applicable Vehicles
^ 1998 - 2008 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with SRS.
Warranty Information
Repair Manual Changes
Toyota service publications explain in detail the procedures for pre-disposal deployment of airbag and pre-tensioner assemblies. These practices should ONLY be used by EPA Licensed Hazardous Waste Transportation and Disposal facilities or dealership technicians IF allowable by local/state regulation. All future service publications will include additional cautions advising dealership associates to review and abide by all applicable regulations prior to performing any pre-disposal deployment or disposal activity.
Special Service Tools
Special Service Tools (SSTs) for airbag and pre-tensioner deployment are no longer classified as essential SSTs. These tools will continue to be available through the SST program for dealerships choosing to continue airbag deployment in compliance with state and local governance. Refer to the following table for a list of current pre-disposal deployment SSTs and applications.