HSE Environmental Compliance and Protection Questions and Answers

Question 1

A facility in the United States generates 1,500 kg of non-acutely hazardous waste and 0.5 kg of acutely hazardous waste in a calendar month.
According to the EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), what is the facility's hazardous waste generator status?

Accepted Answer

Large Quantity Generator (LQG)

Answer

Small Quantity Generator (SQG)

Answer

Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG)

Answer

Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG)

Question 2

Under the U.S. Clean Water Act (CWA), what is the primary purpose of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)?

Accepted Answer

To identify potential pollutant sources and describe the Best Management Practices (BMPs) to prevent them from contaminating stormwater discharges.

Answer

To document procedures for treating process wastewater before discharge to a municipal sewer.

Answer

To report the annual quantity of toxic chemicals released into surface waters.

Answer

To obtain a permit for dredging or filling activities in navigable U.S. waters.

Question 3

When developing an Environmental Management System (EMS) compliant with ISO 14001, which of the following best defines an 'environmental aspect'?

Accepted Answer

An element of an organization's activities, products, or services that can interact with the environment.

Answer

Any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, resulting from the organization's activities.

Answer

A specific, measurable environmental performance target set by the organization.

Answer

A legal requirement related to environmental protection that the organization must adhere to.

Question 4

A facility accidentally releases 120 pounds of anhydrous ammonia, which has a reportable quantity (RQ) of 100 pounds under CERCLA and is also an Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) under EPCRA. What is the facility's immediate reporting obligation?

Accepted Answer

Immediately notify the National Response Center (NRC), the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC), and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).

Answer

Document the release for the annual Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) report.

Answer

Clean up the spill and report it during the next regulatory inspection.

Answer

Notify only the local fire department within 24 hours.

Question 5

Which of the following activities is the best example of Pollution Prevention (P2) at the source?

Accepted Answer

Changing a manufacturing process to use a non-toxic, water-based solvent instead of a chlorinated solvent.

Answer

Installing a carbon filter to capture volatile organic compounds (VOCs) before they are emitted from a stack.

Answer

Sending used solvents to a third-party facility to be recycled and reused.

Answer

Disposing of hazardous waste at a licensed high-temperature incinerator.

Question 6

A facility stores 12,000 pounds of sulfuric acid on-site. The Threshold Planning Quantity (TPQ) for sulfuric acid as an Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) is 1,000 pounds. Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), what is a key requirement for this facility?

Accepted Answer

Notify its SERC and LEPC of its EHS presence and cooperate in emergency plan development.

Answer

Prepare a hazardous waste contingency plan under RCRA.

Answer

Develop a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan.

Answer

Submit a risk management plan (RMP) to the EPA under the Clean Air Act.