AARC Facility Management & Safety 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When decommissioning a vehicle's air conditioning system, refrigerant must be recovered using:
- Any available vacuum pump
- EPA-certified recovery equipment operated by a trained technician (Correct answer)
- A standard compressor and hose
- Open venting to the atmosphere
Correct answer: EPA-certified recovery equipment operated by a trained technician
Section 608 of the Clean Air Act prohibits venting refrigerants and requires EPA-certified equipment and trained technicians for refrigerant recovery.
Question 2: A mercury switch from a vehicle hood or trunk must be managed as:
- Regular solid waste in a dumpster
- Universal waste under EPA regulations (Correct answer)
- Recyclable aluminum scrap
- Non-hazardous industrial waste
Correct answer: Universal waste under EPA regulations
Mercury switches from vehicles are classified as universal waste, which has streamlined but specific storage, labeling, and disposal requirements.
Question 3: Under the Clean Water Act, an automotive recycler discharging stormwater must typically obtain a:
- NPDES permit (Correct answer)
- RCRA Part B permit
- CAA Title V permit
- TSCA authorization
Correct answer: NPDES permit
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit is required under the Clean Water Act for facilities that discharge stormwater to surface waters.
Question 4: Which OSHA standard applies specifically to hazardous energy control (lockout/tagout) during vehicle dismantling?
- 29 CFR 1910.147 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.132
- 29 CFR 1910.303
- 29 CFR 1910.1200
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.147
29 CFR 1910.147 (Control of Hazardous Energy) requires lockout/tagout procedures to prevent unexpected energization of machinery during servicing.
Question 5: A spill of hydraulic fluid that reaches a storm drain at an automotive recycling facility should FIRST trigger:
- A call to the insurance company
- Immediate spill containment and notification per the facility's spill response plan (Correct answer)
- Repaving of the affected area
- An employee disciplinary review
Correct answer: Immediate spill containment and notification per the facility's spill response plan
The facility's spill response plan dictates immediate containment actions and required notifications to prevent environmental damage and meet regulatory obligations.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of secondary containment systems around fluid storage tanks at automotive recycling facilities?
- To reduce evaporation of stored fluids
- To prevent released fluids from reaching the environment (Correct answer)
- To keep tanks at a constant temperature
- To comply with fire suppression regulations only
Correct answer: To prevent released fluids from reaching the environment
Secondary containment captures spills or leaks before they can contaminate soil, groundwater, or surface water.
Question 7: Before crushing a vehicle, an automotive recycler must ensure that:
- The vehicle is washed and dried
- All hazardous fluids and components have been properly removed (Correct answer)
- The VIN plate has been repainted
- The tires have been reinflated
Correct answer: All hazardous fluids and components have been properly removed
Crushing a vehicle without removing hazardous fluids (oil, coolant, fuel, brake fluid) and components (batteries, mercury switches) violates environmental regulations.
AARC Facility Management & Safety 3
When decommissioning a vehicle's air conditioning system, refrigerant must be recovered using: