CHMM - Certified Hazardous Materials Manager Planning for Hazardous Materials Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A large quantity generator of hazardous waste must develop a contingency plan. Which of the following is a mandatory component of this plan under RCRA regulations?
- A list of all employees certified in first aid.
- A description of arrangements agreed to by local emergency services. (Correct answer)
- A detailed budget for potential cleanup operations.
- The home addresses and phone numbers of all facility employees.
Correct answer: A description of arrangements agreed to by local emergency services.
Under 40 CFR 262.261, a RCRA contingency plan must describe arrangements agreed to by local police, fire departments, hospitals, and emergency response teams to coordinate emergency services. While emergency coordinator contact information is required, the home addresses of all employees are not. A detailed cleanup budget and a list of first-aid certified employees are good practices but not explicitly required elements of the RCRA contingency plan.
Question 2: A facility is undergoing a significant process change that introduces a new chemical classified as an Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) above its Threshold Planning Quantity (TPQ). When must the facility's management review and, if necessary, amend its hazardous waste contingency plan?
- During the next scheduled annual review.
- Only if an emergency involving the new chemical occurs.
- Within 30 days of the new chemical arriving on site.
- Whenever the facility's design, construction, operation, or maintenance changes in a way that materially increases the potential for a release. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Whenever the facility's design, construction, operation, or maintenance changes in a way that materially increases the potential for a release.
According to RCRA regulations (40 CFR 262.263), the contingency plan must be reviewed and amended whenever there is a change in facility design, construction, operation, maintenance, or other circumstances that materially increases the potential for fires, explosions, or releases of hazardous waste or changes the response necessary in an emergency. Introducing a new EHS above its TPQ qualifies as such a change.
Question 3: A chemical manufacturing facility stores 12,000 pounds of acetone, a hazardous chemical. They also store 400 pounds of chlorine, an Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) with a Threshold Planning Quantity (TPQ) of 100 pounds. Under EPCRA Section 312, what is the facility required to do?
- Submit a Tier II report for the acetone only.
- Submit a Tier II report for the chlorine only.
- Submit a Tier II report for both the acetone and the chlorine. (Correct answer)
- No reporting is required as neither chemical exceeds 15,000 pounds.
Correct answer: Submit a Tier II report for both the acetone and the chlorine.
EPCRA Section 312 (Tier II reporting) has different thresholds. For hazardous chemicals, the threshold is 10,000 pounds. For Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS), the threshold is 500 pounds or the TPQ, whichever is lower. Since the facility exceeds the 10,000 lb threshold for acetone and the TPQ for chlorine (400 lbs > 100 lbs), it must submit a Tier II report for both substances.
Question 4: According to OSHA's HAZWOPER standard (29 CFR 1910.120), what level of emergency responder is trained to take defensive actions, such as absorption or diking, to control a release from a safe distance?
- Awareness Level
- Technician Level
- Operations Level (Correct answer)
- Specialist Level
Correct answer: Operations Level
Operations Level responders are trained to respond in a defensive fashion to protect nearby persons, property, or the environment from the effects of the release. Their function is to contain the release from a safe distance, keep it from spreading, and prevent exposures. Awareness level personnel only identify and notify, while Technicians take offensive actions to stop the release, and Specialists provide specific expertise.
Question 5: A CHMM is developing a comprehensive Hazardous Materials Management Plan (HMMP) for a new facility. Which of the following elements is a critical component of an effective HMMP?
- A list of the closest restaurants for employee lunches.
- Detailed procedures for the procurement of office supplies.
- Protocols for emergency response and spill cleanup. (Correct answer)
- The personal vehicle information of all site visitors.
Correct answer: Protocols for emergency response and spill cleanup.
An effective Hazardous Materials Management Plan (HMMP) must include key components that address the risks associated with hazardous materials. Established protocols for emergency response and spill cleanup are fundamental to ensuring safety and minimizing the impact of an incident. The other options are irrelevant to the management of hazardous materials.
Question 6: During an emergency response to an unknown chemical spill, the Incident Commander determines that the highest level of respiratory, skin, and eye protection is required. Which level of PPE should be specified in the site safety plan for entry into the hot zone?
- Level D
- Level C
- Level B
- Level A (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Level A
Level A protection provides the highest available level of respiratory, skin, and eye protection and is used when hazardous substances have been identified and pose a high level of hazard, or when the substance is unknown. It includes a fully encapsulating chemical-protective suit and a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
CHMM - Certified Hazardous Materials Manager Planning for Hazardous Materials Questions and Answers
A large quantity generator of hazardous waste must develop a contingency plan.
Which of the following is a mandatory component of this plan under RCRA regulations?