AARC Facility Management & Safety 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which document must an automotive recycler provide to a licensed hazardous waste transporter when shipping waste off-site?
- A bill of lading only
- A Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest (Correct answer)
- An EPA Form 8700-12
- A commercial invoice
Correct answer: A Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest
The Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest is required by RCRA to track hazardous waste from the generator through transportation to final disposal.
Question 2: An AARC-compliant facility must conduct employee safety training:
- Only at initial hire
- Annually at minimum, with documented records (Correct answer)
- Whenever an inspector visits
- Every five years per OSHA schedule
Correct answer: Annually at minimum, with documented records
Best practices and most regulatory frameworks require documented annual safety training to ensure employees remain current on hazards and procedures.
Question 3: When storing used catalytic converters, an automotive recycler should be aware that some may contain:
- Radioactive isotopes requiring NRC licensing
- Precious metals that may require secure storage to prevent theft (Correct answer)
- Chlorinated solvents requiring hazardous waste permits
- Asbestos insulation regulated under NESHAP
Correct answer: Precious metals that may require secure storage to prevent theft
Catalytic converters contain platinum, palladium, and rhodium, making them high-value theft targets requiring secure storage.
Question 4: Under EPA rules, which used vehicle fluid can be burned as fuel in a space heater designed for that purpose without being classified as hazardous waste?
- Used brake fluid
- Used transmission fluid mixed with fuel
- Used oil meeting specification standards (Correct answer)
- Used antifreeze/coolant
Correct answer: Used oil meeting specification standards
On-specification used oil can be burned as fuel in approved used oil-fired space heaters without triggering hazardous waste regulations.
Question 5: The OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) standard would apply to an automotive recycling facility if it:
- Stores more than 10,000 lbs of a highly hazardous chemical above threshold quantities (Correct answer)
- Has more than 50 employees
- Operates a vehicle crusher on-site
- Sells parts to the public
Correct answer: Stores more than 10,000 lbs of a highly hazardous chemical above threshold quantities
PSM applies to facilities with highly hazardous chemicals in quantities exceeding listed thresholds, which is uncommon but possible at large recyclers with significant chemical storage.
Question 6: Which action is PROHIBITED when managing airbag inflator modules at an automotive recycling facility?
- Storing them in a labeled container
- Deploying them using approved equipment before disposal
- Selling them as working replacement parts if undeployed and undamaged
- Disposing of deployed modules as regular solid waste (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Disposing of deployed modules as regular solid waste
Deployed airbag inflators may contain residual sodium azide or other hazardous propellants and must be disposed of as hazardous waste, not regular trash.
Question 7: A facility that unknowingly purchases a vehicle containing an illegal modification such as a VIN alteration should:
- Dismantle it immediately to recover value
- Notify local law enforcement and hold the vehicle pending investigation (Correct answer)
- Return it to the seller without documentation
- Crush it immediately to avoid liability
Correct answer: Notify local law enforcement and hold the vehicle pending investigation
Vehicles with altered VINs are potential stolen property; the proper response is to notify law enforcement and not disturb the vehicle until authorities direct otherwise.
AARC Facility Management & Safety 4
Which document must an automotive recycler provide to a licensed hazardous waste transporter when shipping waste off-site?