Manage the biological treatment of non-hazardous waste

Overview

This standard is about managing the treatment of non-hazardous waste on a biological treatment facility. Biological treatment will take place using open windrow composting, in-vessel composting or anaerobic digestion.
It requires the implementation and management of procedures for controlling biological treatment and related operations for wastes. This includes arranging storage of outputs and residues and the treatment or disposal of any batches of material that fail to meet quality standards. It also involves recording the waste treated and control parameters used. All procedures must be implemented in compliance with the legislative requirements for the site operations.
This standard is for managers of biological waste treatment facilities that use open windrow composing, in-vessel composting or anaerobic digestion.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

1. implement systems and procedures for biological treatment operations in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements
2. arrange for the supply of appropriate and sufficient materials, equipment and information to carry out biological treatment operations
3. implement and maintain recording and information systems specifically relating to the biological treatment process being used in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements
4. arrange for the storage of outputs and residues from biological treatment operations in line with safety, legislative and organisational requirements
5. ensure that all procedures for biological treatment operations are adhered to by all the people involved
6. establish and implement work programmes for biological treatment operations that meet legislative and organisational requirements
7. implement operating procedures that comply with health, safety and environmental protection requirements
8. ensure there are a sufficient number of trained personnel available to carry out biological treatment operations, implementing training when required
9. monitor staff activity against legislation and procedures during biological treatment operations 
10. identify actual and potential hazards relating to waste and biological treatment processes being used at appropriate times
11. put appropriate controls in place to eliminate or reduce risk to personnel and the environment from identified hazards
12. report risks to health, safety and the environment to appropriate people in compliance with legal and organisational requirements
13. maintain records of waste treated and control parameters used in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements
14. rectify any issues that may affect biological treatment operations in line with organisational procedures
15. seek advice from appropriate specialists to resolve situations which are outside your responsibility 
16. arrange for any batches of material that fail to meet required quality standards to be treated or disposed of in line with legislation and organistional requirements

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:

1. legislative requirements, regulations, codes of practice and guidance applicable to biological treatment facilities
2. planning permission, permit requirements and environmental management system (EMS) for the site
3. biological treatment methods, principles 
4. waste types that can be treated using biological treatment methods and the impact that different waste types can have on the them
5. waste types that should not be treated and why
6. the limitations of biological treatment methods 
7. the technical and environmental benefits of biological treatment methods
8. the problems associated with, physical treatment methods and how they can be controlled and managed 
9. associated quality protocols and why it is beneficial to implement them for biological treatment 
10. the potential problems associated with, biological treatment methods and how they can be controlled and managed 
11. emissions, products and residual wastes associated with thermal treatment methods and how these can be controlled and managed 
12. the end uses of products from biological treatment methods 
13. why it is important to ensure compliance with an environmental permit for a biological treatment facility 
14. waste inspection and identification procedures appropriate to the site
15. lifting and handling requirements and techniques suitable for the waste received on site
16. storage requirements for the non-hazardous waste types handled on the site and outputs stored on site
17. procedures and documentation required for biological treatment of non-hazardous waste to specific standards
18. data for control of hazardous substances and risk assessments for substances received, handled and used on site procedures for dealing with non-hazardous waste, out of specification waste and any other residues from the process
19. how to interpret process documentation and verify that the information is accurate.
20. organisational procedures for non-hazardous waste biological treatment operations and the supply and use of resources required
21. technical skills and training for non-hazardous the biological treatment operations being used and how to ensure that relevant staff have them
22. how to communicate work instructions to personnel orally and in writing
23. why it is important to ensure that staff understand instructions, 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 affect biological treatment operations including staff shortages, equipment deficiencies, spillages or external factors
28. hazards to people and the environment from waste and biological treatment processes including those which: 

• are difficult to handle 
• may have unacceptable or unauthorised components 
• are likely to present unexpected health problems