CHMM - Certified Hazardous Materials Manager Facility Operations with Hazmat Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CHMM is conducting the required weekly inspection of a 90-day hazardous waste accumulation area. They notice a 55-gallon drum of corrosive waste with a small amount of dried residue on its side near the bung. The drum is properly closed and not actively leaking. What is the appropriate immediate action according to RCRA container management standards?
- Note the finding in the inspection log and schedule a cleanup for later in the week.
- Immediately transfer the entire contents of the drum to a new, clean container.
- Ensure the drum is in good condition and not leaking, and then clean the residue from the container's exterior. (Correct answer)
- Place an overpack drum around the existing container as a precautionary measure.
Correct answer: Ensure the drum is in good condition and not leaking, and then clean the residue from the container's exterior.
According to 40 CFR 265.171 and 265.174, the inspector must look for leaking containers and deterioration. While residue must be addressed, the primary requirements are to ensure the container is in 'good condition' and not leaking. If the drum itself is sound and not actively leaking, the correct action is to clean the exterior to maintain good housekeeping and allow for easy identification of any future leaks. Transferring the contents or overpacking is only required if the container is no longer in good condition or is actively leaking.
Question 2: A large research facility accumulates spent fluorescent lamps, which it manages as Universal Waste under 40 CFR Part 273. What is the maximum amount of time the facility can accumulate these lamps on-site without needing a RCRA permit?
- 90 days from the date of generation.
- 180 days, or 270 days if shipping over 200 miles.
- One year from the date the waste is generated or received. (Correct answer)
- Indefinitely, provided they are stored in a structurally sound, closed container.
Correct answer: One year from the date the waste is generated or received.
40 CFR 273.15 and 273.35 state that both small and large quantity handlers of universal waste may accumulate the waste for no longer than one year from the date it is generated or received from another handler. This extended timeframe, compared to standard hazardous waste accumulation, is a key benefit of the Universal Waste program.
Question 3: A facility covered by OSHA's Process Safety Management (PSM) standard (29 CFR 1910.119) plans to replace a section of stainless steel piping in a covered process with a new type of corrosion-resistant alloy. Which of the following PSM elements is specifically required to formally review and authorize this change before it is implemented?
- Process Hazard Analysis (PHA)
- Management of Change (MOC) (Correct answer)
- Contractor Safety
- Mechanical Integrity
Correct answer: Management of Change (MOC)
OSHA's PSM standard at 29 CFR 1910.119(l) requires employers to establish and implement written procedures to manage changes to process chemicals, technology, equipment, and procedures. Replacing piping with a different material is a change in technology/equipment and is not a 'replacement in kind'. Therefore, it must be evaluated through the Management of Change (MOC) process to ensure the change does not introduce new hazards.
Question 4: A facility has a total aboveground oil storage capacity of 1,500 gallons, consisting of multiple tanks, none of which are larger than 500 gallons. The facility's location is such that a spill could reasonably be expected to discharge into a nearby river. According to 40 CFR Part 112, why is this facility required to have a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan?
- Because it has a single container with a capacity greater than 660 gallons.
- Because it has a completely buried storage capacity greater than 42,000 gallons.
- Because it stores more than one type of petroleum oil.
- Because its aggregate aboveground storage capacity exceeds 1,320 gallons and a spill could reach navigable waters. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Because its aggregate aboveground storage capacity exceeds 1,320 gallons and a spill could reach navigable waters.
The SPCC rule applies to facilities that meet two criteria: 1) they have an aggregate aboveground oil storage capacity greater than 1,320 U.S. gallons (or a buried capacity over 42,000 gallons), and 2) due to their location, they could reasonably be expected to discharge oil into navigable waters. This facility's total capacity of 1,500 gallons exceeds the 1,320-gallon threshold, and it has the potential to impact a navigable waterway, making an SPCC plan mandatory.
Question 5: Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), when must an employer provide employees with information and training on the hazardous chemicals in their work area?
- Only upon the employee's specific request.
- Within the first 30 days of employment.
- At the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced. (Correct answer)
- Annually during a mandatory safety refresher course.
Correct answer: At the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced.
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200(h) explicitly requires employers to provide training at the time of an employee's initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard that they have not previously been trained on is introduced into their work area. There is no mandated annual frequency for HazCom training, although it is a common best practice.
Question 6: A facility manager is establishing a storage area for used oil collected from equipment maintenance. To comply with the management standards under 40 CFR Part 279, how must an aboveground storage tank be marked?
- With the words "Hazardous Waste - Recyclable Oil".
- With a standard DOT Class 9 placard.
- With the EPA hazardous waste code for the oil.
- With the words "Used Oil". (Correct answer)
Correct answer: With the words "Used Oil".
The regulations for managing used oil under 40 CFR 279.22(c) specify that containers and aboveground tanks used to store used oil at generator facilities must be labeled or marked clearly with the words "Used Oil". Labeling it as "Hazardous Waste" is incorrect and could lead to the material being managed under more stringent and inappropriate regulations.
CHMM - Certified Hazardous Materials Manager Facility Operations with Hazmat Questions and Answers
A CHMM is conducting the required weekly inspection of a 90-day hazardous waste accumulation area.
They notice a 55-gallon drum of corrosive waste with a small amount of dried residue on its side near the bung.
The drum is properly closed and not actively leaking.
What is the appropriate immediate action according to RCRA container management standards?