LEA and Operator Training

Load-Checking Workshop

The load-checking workshop was held January-March 2007 at eight locations throughout the state. A total of 304 students attended the workshops.

This 8-hour class provided information on the implementation of hazardous and prohibited waste load-checking programs at solid waste disposal facilities. The topics covered included:

• Fundamental concepts of a load-checking program
• Regulations related to load-checking at solid waste facilities
• The types of wastes that are prohibited from disposal and should be looked for in a load checking program.
• Methods for identifying prohibited or hazardous wastes
• Basic health and safety practices and emergency procedures
• Specific waste handling and storage procedures
• Record keeping

The class also included several successful case studies from both local enforcement agencies (LEA) and operators. The operators described their hazardous waste exclusion programs, and LEAs described programs they have developed to work with operators to prevent receipt of prohibited wastes.

The class concluded with a facilitated discussion to help guide any next steps for the Board. The following questions were asked of the audience and responses noted for future action:

• In your work, what seems to be the areas that need additional clarification?
• Are the current minimum standards adequate to prevent prohibited or hazardous wastes from arriving at the solid waste facility?
• What gaps exist between regulations and implementation of a good program, and do you feel that the Board needs to develop policy or pursue any action in this area?
• What other steps or tools do you need to adequately perform your job and to prevent prohibited or hazardous waste from entering the waste stream?

Information gathered during the facilitated discussion will be presented at a meeting of the Board.

Locations and Dates

• Redding: January 9, 2007
• Mariposa: January 17, 2007
• San Diego: January 23, 2007
• Bakersfield: January 25, 2007
• Burbank: January 30, 2007
• San Rafael: February 7, 2007
• Sacramento: February 14, 2007
• Moreno Valley: March 7, 2007

Instructor

Larry Sweetser of Sweetser and Associates opened the class with information on the fundamentals of load-checking, regulations, types of wastes to look for, how to identify those wastes and how to handle and store them when they are found. He also presented information on health and safety, emergency response, and chain of evidence.

Larry is the principal/owner of Sweetser and Associates. Sweetser and Associates specializes in environmental regulatory assistance to local government and the solid waste industry. Services include: waste screening/load checking program development, training and program review; development and review of household hazardous waste programs; environmental assessment of solid waste operations; hazardous materials management support; occupational safety and health program assistance; and guidance with AB 939 Integrated Waste Management Plans and related components. Larry Sweetser has over 20 years of experience in the solid and hazardous waste field including assisting with the California Annual Household Hazardous Waste Conference Training Sessions since 2002. He has been responsible for development of household hazardous waste activities, load-checking programs, and other services for the Rural Counties’ Environmental Services Joint Power Authority, the California Integrated Waste Management Board, Norcal Waste Systems and other public and private organizations.

Presenters and Presentations

If you require special accommodation to access the following presentations pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Office of Public Affairs at (916) 341-6300 or opa@ciwmb.ca.gov.

• Larry Sweetser, Sweetser and Associates
  • Basic Review/Overview of Load Checking: Slide Presentation, Adobe PDF, 7.1 MB | Video, Windows Media, 282 Kbps, 1:04 hours
  • Health and Safety, Chain of Evidence and Emergency Response: Slide Presentation, Adobe PDF, 347 KB | Video, Windows Media, 282 Kbps, 27:30 minutes
• Steve Engfer, Manager, Mariposa County Solid Waste and Recycling
  • Mariposa County Municipal Solid Waste Composting Facility, Landfill and Recycling Center Load-Checking Program: Slide Presentation, Adobe PDF, 2.4 MB | Video, Windows Media, 282 Kbps, 40:14 minutes
• Kirk Galarneau City of San Diego, Hazardous Substances Enforcement Supervisor
  • Miramar Landfill Case Study: Adobe PDF, 2.0 MB
• Dennis Green, Program Manager, Sacramento County LEA
  • The Load Check/Illegal Dumping Challenge--Achieving Objectives through Regulatory–Facility Cooperation: Adobe PDF, 124 KB
• Tim Grogan, Hazardous Waste Program Manager or Gary Blevins, Materials Regulation Specialist, Orange County Integrated Waste Management Department
  • Load Check Program: Adobe PDF, 844 KB
• Matthew Hickman, Program Administrator, Riverside County Waste Management Department
  • Hazardous Waste in the Solid Waste Stream: Slide Presentation, Adobe PDF, 12 MB | Video, Windows Media, 282 Kbps, 50:01 minutes
• Chris Kennedy, Environmental Protection Manager for Northern California and Nevada, Waste Management
  • Prohibited Waste Management at Material Recovery Facilities: Slide Presentation, Adobe PDF, 686 KB | Video, Windows Media, 282 Kbps, 19:22 minutes
• Chuck Magee, Waste Management Supervisor, Kern County Waste Management Department
  • Kern County Waste Management Department Hazardous Waste Exclusion Program: Adobe PDF, 6.0 MB
• Bruce Matlock, Environmental Specialist or Scott Jenkins, District Manager, Waste Management
  • Safely Conducting Load Checks for Prohibited Waste at Municipal Landfills and Transfer Stations: Adobe PDF, 369 KB
• Chris Rummel, Senior Environmental Health Specialist, Santa Clara County LEA
  • Got Loads? Slide Presentation, Adobe PDF, 1.9 MB | Video, Windows Media, 282 Kbps, 31:11 minutes

Load-Checking Training Home

Last updated: October 28, 2007