Which agency would provide guidelines for the safe handling of chemical waste?

The correct choice highlights the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in establishing guidelines for the safe handling of chemical waste. The EPA is the federal agency responsible for regulating the management and disposal of hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Their regulations aim to protect human health and the environment by ensuring that hazardous wastes are handled safely from their generation to their disposal.

The EPA's guidelines include requirements for waste identification, storage, treatment, and disposal, as well as the necessary actions to minimize risks associated with improper handling. This comprehensive approach is crucial for organizations dealing with hazardous materials to ensure compliance and safeguard against potential environmental and health hazards associated with chemical waste.

Other agencies, such as NIOSH, DOT, and OSHA, have important roles in workplace safety and transportation of hazardous materials, but their focus differs. NIOSH is primarily concerned with occupational safety and health research, DOT regulates transportation safety, and OSHA sets and enforces workplace safety and health standards. Each of these agencies contributes significantly to safety practices, but when specifically addressing guidelines for chemical waste handling, the EPA is the authoritative agency.