Page 97 - Hub-4 Issue 55
P. 97

Mentor Training
Are you complying with legal operating waste requirements?
Is your site operating under an Environmental Agency (EA) permit? Did you know that you are required to employ a Technically Competent Manager and gain an approved scheme certificate, such as WAMITAB under the regulations of your permit?
Whether you are just responsible for your own recycling, an industrial manufacturer that produces harmful substances or a mobile plant site manoeuvring landfill waste, you must have technically competent people on-site that have the right knowledge and skills needed to ensure that the site complies under the Environmental Permitting Regulations.
Each different waste management site will have their own permit. This may be a standard rule permit or a bespoke permit however they all operate under the same strict rules and if not controlled correctly, it can lead to enforcement action by the regulator or cause accidents and ill-health.
Recent figures from the HSE show that the waste sector is increasing in ill-health impacts and workplace accidents, but could this be better monitored and reduced with more of the correctly trained personnel on site?
Yes. Assessing the situation and finding out how to become competent on a waste-site will not only keep your permit intact, but create a safe, efficient workplace for your staff.
Primary and Continuing Competence
To meet the requirements of the CIWM/WAMITAB Operator Competence Scheme, technically competent people must demonstrate Primary Competence by completing a qualification, units and/or training programme(s) which demonstrate that they have the knowledge and skills to ensure waste sites comply with Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations. A Continuing Competence test must then be taken to demonstrate that their skills have kept pace with the changes made across the waste management industry e.g. the introduction of new legislation, technologies and/or techniques.
Waste Management
The process of disposing waste including the collection, transport and treatment starting from recycling through to landfill disposal is known as waste management. All sites are tightly regulated under the same guidelines with some sites including multiple waste management elements.
Businesses that only have one element of waste and resource management may have fewer hazards, for example a site that has only a single element, such as personal recycling. Having a Technically Competent Manager on site is still vital; it is still important to assess the health and safety impacts on site. Sharps, fire hazards, ingestion or inhalation can still be present and still pose a threat to the workforce. If a site combines more than one element or if there are numerous sites for different types of waste in the business, the Technically Competent Manager may be required to carry out multiple qualifications. Our courses may be combined to limit the number of units undertaken if there is a crossover.
Levels of Risk
The EA classifies all waste under a waste risk tier table with all facilities falling under one of the following categories; low, medium or high risk. Low risk sites typically include electronic waste storage, inert physical treatment of waste and the use of waste in construction and high-risk sites include open and closed landfill sites, hazardous clinical waste treatment and the recovery of hazardous waste.
The waste risk tier table, which can be found on the WAMITAB website, will allow you to see what qualification is needed for the operational environmental of your site or business and allow you to have the right competence on site.
All WAMITAB qualifications are tailored to the risk and operational functions of your site.
Following the integration of SERAC UK, Mentor can now provide a full remit of waste qualifications and we are keen to promote and support the correct safety elements in the waste sector through effective and accredited training and assessments.
For further information and support or for guidance on booking a qualification, get in touch with the training advisors at Mentor today – 01246 386900.
www.hub-4.com March 2019 - Issue 55
| p97 |


































































































   95   96   97   98   99