ZENV0104 - Solid Waste Operations (Online)

Course Description

Course Outline

Module 1: Landfill Operations

Lesson 1 – Waste Composition

• Explain the process of waste decomposition, list factors that limit the decomposition rate, and list decomposition byproducts.
• Explain the process of decomposition and its limiting factors.

Lesson 2 – Geology and Hydrology

• Explain what is meant by geology, hydrogeology and hydrology.
• List the three classifications of rock and describe how they are formed.

Lesson 3 – Engineering

• Describe the role of engineering and an engineer, relative to the permitting and operations of a landfill.
• Describe the basic tools used in engineering a landfill.

Lesson 4 – Surveying

• Explain the various types of surveying techniques.
• Perform basic mathematical and survey calculations.

Lesson 5 – Landfill Design

• Explain the different tasks required to plan and prepare a good landfill design.
• Describe the principles and define the terminology pertinent to landfill design.

Lesson 6 – Landfill Construction

• Explain the need for ongoing landfill construction.
• Explain the basic techniques used in landfill construction.

Lesson 7 – Landfill Operations

• Explain the various facets of landfill operation including equipment needs, construction methods, soil excavation, cover alternatives and waste screening.
• Identify various heavy equipment utilized in a landfill.

Lesson 8 – Regulations

• List and describe the differences between related federal acts.
• Identify the components of five federal acts and describe their impact on landfill operations.

Module 2: Composting Operations

Lesson 1 – Science of Composting

• Understand that composting is very similar to farming and that, like farming, there are specific environmental conditions that lead to success.
• Identify the primary organisms responsible for organic decomposition and describe the environment they thrive in..

Lesson 2 – Composting Processes

• Describe the numerous composting processes and explain how these processes can vary depending on the type and quantity of waste to be composted.
• Identify the operating parameters associated with the rapid decomposition phase.

Lesson 3 – Feedstock and Compost Technologies

• Understand the waste source, and matching the best composting technology to the waste source.
• List the distinctive categories of potential compost feedstock and understand some of the concerns associated with each category.

Lesson 4 – Compost Quality and Classification

• Explain why there is currently a lack of standards classifications and regulations that govern the compost industry.
• Identify the different compost qualities and the ranges that make for a quality product.

Lesson 5 – Facility Development

• Explain how the design and process complexity of a compost facility is relative to the type and quantity of feedstock it handles.
• Explain why siting a compost facility, like siting any waste facility, is a complex, controversial and very important part of developing a facility..

Lesson 6 – Environmental Concerns and Control

• Describe many of the primary causes of odor and some of their controls.
• Identify areas of concerns for water quality at a compost facility and some of the controls.

Lesson 7 – Compost Regulations

• Understand why there are currently no federal standards governing compost unless biosolids are used.
• Understand that though there are no federal standards that directly govern compost and/or the composting process, there are environmental laws that may govern aspects of composting.

Lesson 8 – State Programs

• Determine and describe the two different types of composting facilities.
• Determine and explain the regulations and operation requirements for all composting facilities.

Module 3: Household Hazardous Waste

Lesson 1 – Regulations Overview

• Recognize OSHA and EPA standards that apply to work on hazardous waste sites.
• Identify provisions of 29 CFR 1910.120 applicable to waste site work.

Lesson 2 – Chemical Awareness

• List the primary health hazards associated with acids and bases.
• Describe the basic treatment for skin and eye exposure to chemicals.

Lesson 3 – Toxicology

• List the four main routes for toxic substances to enter into the body.
• Identify procedures to protect oneself from toxins.

Lesson 4 – Operational Hazards

• Describe specific hazards posed by working in a regional collection center.
• List the definitions for hazard, safety and risk.

Lesson 5 – Hazard Identification

• Describe the NFPA 704 sign.
• Identify the numbers used in the NFPA numbering system.

Lesson 6 – Respiratory Protection and PPE

• List the main categories of respirators.
• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of a full-facepiece mask versus a half-facepiece mask for air-purifying respirators.

Lesson 7 – Decontamination

• Identify standard operating procedures for minimizing worker contact with waste and maximizing work protection.
• List the four types of decontamination methods.

Lesson 8 – Waste Management

• List the seven steps in a waste management process.
• List the main classes of hazardous materials and how they should be sorted and stored.

Lesson 9 – Emergency Procedures

• Describe the elements of an effective emergency, contingency and spill response plan.
• Identify guidelines for establishing safe evacuation routes and procedures.

Notes

Participants have 12 months to complete this self-paced online course.

All necessary materials included.

System Requirements:

Internet Connectivity Requirements:

• Cable and DSL internet connections recommended.

Hardware Requirements:

• Minimum Pentium 400 Mhz CPU or G3 Macintosh. 1 GHz or greater CPU recommended.
• 256MB RAM minimum. 1 GB RAM recommended.
• 800x600 video resolution minimum. 1025x768 recommended.
• Speakers/headphones to listen to dialogue-streaming audio sessions.
• A microphone to speak in dialogue-streaming audio sessions.

Operating System Requirements:

• Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 9, 10
• Mac OSX 10 or higher.
• OpenSUSE Linux 9.2 or higher.

Web Browser Requirements:

• Google Chrome is recommended.
• Firefox 13.x or greater.
• Internet Explorer 6.x or greater.
• Safari 3.2.2 or greater.

Software Requirements:

• Adobe Flash Player 6 or greater.
• Oracle Java 7 or greater.
• Adobe Reader 7 or greater.

Web Browser Settings:

• Accept cookies
• Disable pop-up blocker.