Manage the physical and chemical treatment of hazardous waste

Overview

This standard is about managing the physical or chemical treatment of hazardous waste on a waste management facility.
It requires the implementation and management of procedures for controlling treatment and related operations for wastes. This includes arranging storage of outputs and residues and arranging for treatment or disposal of any materials that fail to meet quality standards. It also involves keeping comprehensive record of waste treatment, treatment control parameters and staff training. All procedures must be implemented in compliance with the legislative requirements for the site operations.
This standard is for managers of waste management facilities who are responsible for physical or chemical treatment of waste.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

1. implement systems and procedures for hazardous waste treatment operations in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements
2. arrange for an adequate supply of materials, equipment, personnel and information required to carry out site operations
3. carry out risk assessment to identify hazards and minimise risks to the health and safety of people and to the environment at appropriate times
4. comply with legislative and organisational requirements for reporting risks to health, safety and the environment. 
5. implement and maintain recording and information systems specifically for waste treatment processes in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements
6. arrange for the storage of outputs and residues from waste treatment processes in accordance with safety requirements
7. establish and oversee programmes of work which meet the legislative and organisational requirements 
8. monitor and maintain systems to ensure that there are sufficient personnel with required skills, implementing training programmes when required
9. ensure that all procedures and processes are followed by all people involved at all times in compliance with legislative and organisational requirements. 
10. maintain safe systems of work and put in place precautions to eliminate or reduce risk from hazards
11. monitor staff activity on an ongoing basis to ensure they meet quality requirements 
12. make sure programmes of work and operational instructions are complete and accurate
13. communicate programmes of work and operational instructions to all site personnel at appropriate times
14. keep accurate records of waste treated, treatment control parameters and staff training in organisational systems
15. advise appropriate colleagues and managers about issues accidents, incidents, interruptions to work or any other situations which require their attention
16. rectify any issues that may prevent the waste treatment operations in line with organisational processes 
17. seek advice from appropriate people to resolve situations which are outside your responsibility 
18. arrange for the treatment or disposal for any batches of material that fail to meet required quality standards in line with legislation and organisational procedure

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:

1. legislative requirements, regulations, codes of practice and guidance applicable to the type of waste and treatment method being used
2. planning permission, permit requirements and environmental management system (EMS) for the site
3. physical or chemical treatment methods and principles 
4. waste types that can be treated using physical or chemical treatment methods and the impact that different waste types can have on physical treatment processes
5. emissions, products and residual wastes associated with physical or chemical treatment methods and how these can be controlled and managed 
6. the end uses of products from physical or chemical treatment methods 
7. the technical and environmental benefits of physical or chemical treatment methods
8. the problems associated with, physical or chemical treatment methods and how they can be controlled and managed 
9. why it is important to ensure compliance with an environmental permit for a physical or chemical treatment facility 
10. factors that may limit the uptake of physical or chemical treatment methods and the reasons they may limit uptake
11. waste inspection and identification procedures
12. lifting and handling requirements and techniques for the types of waste received on the site
13. storage requirements for the waste types handled on site and outputs stored on site
14. procedures and documentation required for treatment of hazardous waste to specific standards
15. required data for control of hazardous substances and risk assessment for all hazardous substances received, handled and used on site
16. procedures for dealing with hazardous waste, out of specification waste and any other residues from the process
17. how to interpret process documentation and verify that the information is accurate
18. organisational procedures for hazardous waste treatment operations and the supply and use of required resources 
19. site procedures for managing work activities
20. technical skills required for waste treatment operations on site
21. how to ensure that relevant staff have the required skills and training
22. how to communicate work instructions to personnel orally and in writing
23. why it is important to ensure that staff understand instructions and procedures and how to ensure this is achieved
24. types of personal protective equipment (PPE) required and how they must be used, maintained and stored
25. organisational requirements and operational procedures for all machinery, plant and equipment used 
26. types, functions and limitations of handling equipment available on the site.
27. issues that could prevent the treatment of hazardous waste including staff shortages, equipment deficiencies, spillages or external causes 
28. legislation and organisational procedures for addressing risks to wastes which cause risk to personnel and the environment
29. how to identify issues with waste including those which:

• are difficult to handle
• may contain disguised materials
• may have unacceptable components
• are unauthorised
• are likely to present unexpected health problems