RCRA Training Requirements for Hazardous Waste

To operate a hazardous waste facility in the United States, you must be properly trained. Operating a hazardous waste facility without training places people and the environment at risk.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the law that governs the operation of hazardous waste storage and disposal facilities in the United States. RCRA sets up training requirements for people responsible for the management and disposal of hazardous waste.

If your business generates hazardous waste, you’re responsible for knowing and following the law for waste disposal and storage. Understanding RCRA training requirements can help you meet the law’s requirements and keep your business running safely.

The Basics of RCRA Training

RCRA Training is a program designed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide personnel who interact with hazardous waste with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure the safe and environmentally sound management of hazardous waste from generation to final disposal.

This training is available to personnel from business, industry, and government, including facility operators, handlers, and supervisory staff. Those who are required to undergo RCRA Training must understand their obligations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and hazardous waste regulations, as well as best practices for safely managing hazardous waste.

RCRA Training is also important for those in the transportation, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste, as well as those who operate and maintain treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. RCRA training online ensures that personnel recognize and use all of the available preventative measures to protect the environment and human health.

Large Quantity Generator Training Requirements

Large quantity generators (LQGs) must follow the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) training requirements. The federal agency requires LQGs to have trained personnel responsible for identifying, labeling, storing, and disposing of hazardous waste materials.

This includes the duty to submit reports to the regulatory agencies and provide access for inspections, and understand how to avoid contamination and how to properly treat, store and dispose of hazardous wastes.

Personnel must also receive an understanding of manifesting and proper labeling of wastes when transferring them. Additionally, personnel must receive training and demonstrate competency before they can perform activities with hazardous waste.

All personnel must receive refresher training at least every three years, and track records must be kept indefinitely. Documentation must also be provided to the regulatory agencies on request.

Small Quantity Generator Training Requirements

Small Quantity Generator Training Requirements (SQGs) are set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). All SQGs must receive initial and refresher training at least every three years.

The training must meet EPA-approved requirements and consist of several topics, which include identifying hazardous waste, RCRA regulations and requirements, proper labeling and marking, management of containers, safety and emergency procedures, and other topics pertaining to the generation and storage of hazardous waste.

All employees and contractors must participate in hazardous waste training, and records must be maintained and available to verify completion of the training. Further, the hauler used for hazardous waste disposal must also be trained. Those that fail to comply with SQG Training Requirements may be subject to civil and criminal sanctions.