CHMM - Certified Hazardous Materials Manager Record Keeping and Reporting Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A Large Quantity Generator (LQG) of hazardous waste signs a hazardous waste manifest on July 1, 2024, when the waste is transported off-site. According to 40 CFR 262.40, what is the minimum period the generator must retain a copy of this manifest?
- For at least five years from the date the waste was accepted by the designated facility.
- Indefinitely, for the life of the facility.
- For at least three years from the date the waste was accepted by the initial transporter. (Correct answer)
- For at least one year from the date the waste was accepted by the initial transporter.
Correct answer: For at least three years from the date the waste was accepted by the initial transporter.
40 CFR 262.40(a) requires generators to keep a copy of each signed manifest for at least three years from the date the waste was accepted by the initial transporter. This record is crucial for demonstrating proper 'cradle-to-grave' management of the hazardous waste.
Question 2: Under OSHA's standard for Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records (29 CFR 1910.1020), for how long must an employer preserve and maintain employee exposure records related to toxic substances and harmful physical agents?
- For the duration of employment plus 5 years.
- For the duration of employment plus 30 years. (Correct answer)
- For 10 years after the employee's termination.
- For 5 years from the date the record was created.
Correct answer: For the duration of employment plus 30 years.
29 CFR 1910.1020(d)(1)(ii) requires that each employee exposure record be preserved and maintained for at least thirty (30) years past the duration of employment. This extended period is necessary to allow for the monitoring and identification of long-latency occupational diseases that may not become apparent for many years.
Question 3: A facility is required to submit a Tier II Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory Form under EPCRA Section 312. By what date each year must this report be submitted to the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC), Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), and local fire department?
- March 1 (Correct answer)
- January 1
- July 1
- October 17
Correct answer: March 1
EPCRA Section 312 requires facilities that store hazardous chemicals above specified thresholds to submit an annual inventory report for the preceding calendar year. The deadline for submitting the Tier II form is March 1 of each year, ensuring that emergency planners have updated information for the community.
Question 4: A facility operating as a Large Quantity Generator (LQG) is preparing its Hazardous Waste Report (often called the Biennial Report). Which of the following pieces of information is required to be included on this report?
- A detailed financial statement showing the cost of waste management activities.
- The name and EPA identification number of each transporter used during the reporting year. (Correct answer)
- The social security numbers of all employees trained in hazardous waste management.
- A summary of all non-hazardous solid waste generated and recycled.
Correct answer: The name and EPA identification number of each transporter used during the reporting year.
The Hazardous Waste Report (EPA Form 8700-13A/B) requires LQGs to document their hazardous waste activities. A key part of this is tracking the waste's movement, which includes identifying the EPA ID number, name, and address of each transporter and designated facility used during the reporting period.
Question 5: An employer provides initial and recurrent DOT hazardous materials training to its employees. According to 49 CFR §172.704, which of the following is NOT a required component of a hazmat employee's training record?
- The hazmat employee's name.
- A copy or description of the training materials used.
- The employee's specific score on the final training assessment. (Correct answer)
- The completion date of the most recent training.
Correct answer: The employee's specific score on the final training assessment.
While 49 CFR §172.704(d) requires a certification that the employee was trained and tested, it does not mandate that the specific test score be part of the retained record. The record must include the employee's name, training completion date, a description of the materials, and the trainer's information.
Question 6: During a transfer operation, a facility accidentally releases 150 pounds of toluene (Reportable Quantity = 100 pounds) to the soil. Which of the following describes the mandatory immediate reporting requirement under CERCLA?
- Immediately notify the National Response Center (NRC). (Correct answer)
- Report the release to the EPA regional office within 24 hours.
- Submit a written follow-up report to the LEPC within 7 days.
- No reporting is required as long as the spill is cleaned up within 48 hours.
Correct answer: Immediately notify the National Response Center (NRC).
Under CERCLA section 103(a), any person in charge of a facility must immediately notify the National Response Center (NRC) as soon as they have knowledge of a release of a hazardous substance in an amount equal to or greater than its Reportable Quantity (RQ). Since the 150-pound release exceeds the 100-pound RQ for toluene, immediate NRC notification is required.
CHMM - Certified Hazardous Materials Manager Record Keeping and Reporting Questions and Answers
A Large Quantity Generator (LQG) of hazardous waste signs a hazardous waste manifest on July 1, 2024, when the waste is transported off-site.
According to 40 CFR 262.40, what is the minimum period the generator must retain a copy of this manifest?