Overview of HAZWOPER
Introduction
Hazardous waste improperly managed poses a serious threat to human health and the environment.
Silica Routes of Entry
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), passed in 1976, was established to set up a framework for the proper management of hazardous waste.
Cradle to Grave
RCRA set up a framework for the proper management of hazardous waste. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established a comprehensive regulatory program to ensure hazardous waste is managed safely from "cradle to grave" meaning from the time it is created, while it is transported, treated, and stored, and until it is disposed.
Cradle to Grave Process
Hazardous Waste Generation: Under RCRA, hazardous waste generators are the first link in the hazardous waste management system. All generators must determine if their waste is hazardous and must oversee the ultimate fate of the waste.
Hazardous Waste Transportation: After generators produce hazardous waste, transporters may move the waste to a facility that can recycle, treat, store or dispose of the waste.
Hazardous Waste Recycling, Treatment, Storage, and Disposal: Treatment Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs) provide temporary storage and final treatment or disposal for hazardous wastes. Since they manage large volumes of waste and conduct activities that may present a higher degree of risk, TSDFs are stringently regulated.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) developed hazardous waste operations and emergency response (HAZWOPER) regulations and published them at 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) ยง 1910.120.
The regulations require that individuals in a workplace assigned to emergency response operations for releases of, or substantial threats of release of, hazardous substances, without regard to the location of the release, be properly trained in emergency response procedures.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-1. Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), who is the first link in the hazardous waste management system?
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