CPWM Regulatory Compliance and Safety 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The 'mixture rule' under RCRA states that a mixture of a listed hazardous waste and a solid waste is:
- Hazardous only if the mixture exhibits a hazardous characteristic
- Always considered a listed hazardous waste regardless of concentration (Correct answer)
- Non-hazardous if the listed waste constitutes less than 1% of the mixture
- Regulated only if the volume exceeds 100 kilograms
Correct answer: Always considered a listed hazardous waste regardless of concentration
Under the mixture rule, any mixture containing a listed hazardous waste retains the listing designation of the original listed waste, regardless of dilution.
Question 2: Which standard specifies the design, construction, and use of lockout/tagout devices for controlling hazardous energy during waste equipment maintenance?
- 29 CFR 1910.119
- 29 CFR 1910.147 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.132
- 29 CFR 1910.303
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.147
29 CFR 1910.147 (The Control of Hazardous Energy) establishes lockout/tagout procedures to protect workers servicing or maintaining equipment from unexpected energization.
Question 3: Under RCRA's 'derived-from rule,' ash generated from the incineration of a listed hazardous waste is:
- Always non-hazardous because combustion destroys the listing
- Considered a listed hazardous waste unless delisted by EPA (Correct answer)
- Classified by its characteristic properties only
- Subject only to Subtitle D regulations
Correct answer: Considered a listed hazardous waste unless delisted by EPA
The derived-from rule states that any residue derived from the treatment of a listed hazardous waste (including incineration ash) retains the listing and is itself hazardous unless formally delisted.
Question 4: RCRA corrective action authority under Section 3008(h) requires facilities to clean up releases of hazardous waste or constituents at:
- Only active solid waste management units (SWMUs)
- Any SWMU at a facility seeking or holding a RCRA permit, including historical units (Correct answer)
- Only units that accepted waste after November 19, 1980
- Only units with confirmed groundwater contamination
Correct answer: Any SWMU at a facility seeking or holding a RCRA permit, including historical units
Section 3008(h) corrective action applies to ALL solid waste management units at a RCRA-permitted facility, regardless of when the unit operated or whether it is still active.
Question 5: A worker shows symptoms of heat stroke on a hot summer day at a landfill site. What is the IMMEDIATE priority action?
- Administer electrolyte fluids and have the worker rest in shade
- Call 911 and begin aggressive cooling of the worker immediately (Correct answer)
- Move the worker to an air-conditioned area and monitor vital signs
- Document the incident and complete a first report of injury
Correct answer: Call 911 and begin aggressive cooling of the worker immediately
Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate activation of emergency services (911) and rapid cooling measures such as ice packs, cold water immersion, or wet towels.
Question 6: Under 40 CFR Part 270, a RCRA permit application for a new hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facility must include which two parts?
- Part A (general facility information) and Part B (detailed technical information) (Correct answer)
- Part I (facility description) and Part II (waste characterization)
- Part A (engineering drawings) and Part B (financial assurance)
- Part I (ownership) and Part II (closure plan)
Correct answer: Part A (general facility information) and Part B (detailed technical information)
A RCRA permit application consists of Part A (general information, process codes, and facility overview) and Part B (detailed technical, engineering, and operational requirements).
Question 7: Which federal statute gives EPA the authority to compel responsible parties to clean up contaminated sites and recover cleanup costs, even without a prior permit violation?
- RCRA Subtitle C
- The Clean Water Act Section 311
- CERCLA (Superfund) (Correct answer)
- TSCA Section 7
Correct answer: CERCLA (Superfund)
CERCLA (the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) gives EPA authority to compel cleanup of hazardous substance releases and recover costs from potentially responsible parties.
CPWM Regulatory Compliance and Safety 5
The 'mixture rule' under RCRA states that a mixture of a listed hazardous waste and a solid waste is: