Manage the thermal treatment of hazardous waste

Overview

This standard is about managing the treatment of hazardous waste on a thermal treatment facility.
It requires the implementation and management of procedures for controlling thermal treatment and related operations for wastes. This includes inspection of wastes entering the process, arranging the transfer and storage of outputs, reprocessing or disposal of any materials that fail to meet quality standards and arranging for alternative energy supplies when energy created is inadequate. It also involves recording the outputs used, created and exported from site, recording data on emissions to air and water, recording wastes processed and control parameters used and reporting compliance monitoring data. All procedures must be implemented in compliance with the legislative requirements for the site operations.
This standard is for managers of thermal waste treatment facilities.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. implement systems and procedures for thermal treatment operations in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements
  2. ensure wastes entering thermal treatment processes are inspected in line with systems and procedures
  3. arrange for the supply of appropriate and sufficient materials, equipment and information to carry out thermal treatment operations
  4. implement systems and procedures for the transfer of outputs from thermal treatment operations in line with safety requirements
  5. arrange for the storage of outputs from thermal treatment operations in line with safety, legislative and organisational requirements
  6. ensure that all procedures for thermal treatment operations are adhered to by all the people involved
  7. implement work programmes for thermal treatment operations that meet legislative and organisational requirements
  8. implement operating procedures that comply with health, safety and environmental protection requirements
  9. ensure there are a sufficient number of trained personnel available to carry out thermal treatment operations
  10. monitor staff activity during thermal treatment operations against quality standards
  11. check thermal treatment operations produce appropriate outputs 
  12. record the outputs used, created and exported from the site in organisational systems
  13. record data on emissions to air and water in accordance with legislative requirements
  14. maintain records of wastes processed and the control parameters for thermal treatment operations in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements
  15. report compliance monitoring data in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements
  16. rectify any issues that may affect thermal treatment operations in line with organisational procedures
  17. arrange for any materials that fail to meet required quality standards to be reprocessed or disposed of in line with legislation and organistional requirements
  18. arrange for alternative energy supply when energy created on site is inadequate for requirements
  19. seek advice from appropriate specialists to resolve situations which are outside your responsibility

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. legislative requirements, regulations, codes of practice and guidance applicable to thermal treatment facilities
  2. planning permission, permit requirements and environmental management system (EMS) for the site
  3. data relating to the control of hazardous substances and risk assessments used on site
  4. legislative requirements, regulations, codes of practice and guidance applicable to the transfer and transport of waste from site
  5. thermal treatment methods and principles 
  6. waste types that can be treated using thermal treatment methods and the impact that different waste types can have on the thermal treatment processes
  7. emissions, products and residual wastes associated with thermal treatment methods and how these can be controlled and managed 
  8. the technical and environmental benefits of thermal treatment processes
  9. the limitations of, and problems associated with, thermal treatment methods and how they can be controlled and managed 
  10. why it is important to ensure compliance with an environmental permit for a thermal treatment facility and how to do so 
  11. records required by legislation in relation to thermal treatment operations, emissions to air and water and energy created, used and exported 
  12. regulations and controls associated with export of energy from site
  13. organisational procedures for managing work activities and personnel on site
  14. operating procedures for all machinery, plant and equipment used on the site for handling and processing wastes
  15. quality inspection, identification and handling procedures for the types of waste recovered on site
  16. organisational procedures for dealing with unauthorised wastes
  17. onsite procedures for storing outputs and residues from thermal treatment operations
  18. organisational procedures for dealing with residues, out of specification, recovered wastes and any other rejects from thermal treatment processes
  19. lifting and handling techniques suitable for recovered wastes and residues transported on site
  20. how to identify hazards associated with thermal treatment facilities in relation to health and safety and the environment 
  21. control measures to reduce or eliminate risks to safety, health and the environment on site
  22. organisational procedures for dealing with spillages and emissions
  23. types of personal protective equipment (PPE) required and how they must be used, maintained and stored
  24. legal and organisational requirements for recording and reporting risks to health, safety and the environment
  25. issues that affect thermal treatment operations including staff shortages, equipment deficiencies, spillages or external factors