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

Under RCRA, a facility is classified as a Large Quantity Generator (LQG) if it generates 1,000 kg or more of non-acutely hazardous waste per month OR more than 1 kg of acutely hazardous waste per month. Since this facility generates 1,500 kg, it exceeds the 1,000 kg threshold and is therefore an LQG.

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

A SWPPP is a site-specific plan required by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. Its fundamental purpose is to identify potential sources of stormwater pollution and detail the control measures, known as Best Management Practices (BMPs), that will be implemented to minimize or eliminate the discharge of these pollutants into local water bodies.

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

ISO 14001 defines an 'environmental aspect' as the cause—an element of an organization's activities, products, or services that interacts with the environment. The resulting 'environmental impact' is the effect—the change to the environment. For example, the use of electricity is an aspect, while the resulting depletion of natural resources is the impact.

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

When a release of a substance exceeds its Reportable Quantity (RQ) under both CERCLA and EPCRA, federal law requires immediate notification. The facility must notify the National Response Center (NRC) to satisfy CERCLA, and the SERC and LEPC to satisfy EPCRA.

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

Pollution Prevention (P2), or source reduction, is the most preferred strategy in the waste management hierarchy. It involves practices that reduce or eliminate the creation of pollutants in the first place. Substituting a hazardous material with a non-hazardous one is a prime example of source reduction. The other options represent control, recycling, and disposal, which are lower on the hierarchy.

(HSE) Certified Health Safety Environment Practice Test

(HSE) Certified Health Safety Environment Practice Test

HSE Environmental Compliance and Protection Questions and Answers