In controlling wastes in a facility, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set forth a series of requirements known as the “control requirement” for facilities containing hazardous waste. These requirements set forth what the protective measures need to be in place in order to safely remove and store this waste in a safe manner. Among these requirements are a series of tests covering various aspects of waste removal, as well as an assessment of facility operations. The purpose of these tests is to ensure compliance with EPA’s “Waste Treatment” Act.

As part of this requirement, many facilities are now requiring EPA certification in order to accept and process its federally required payments. An examination is usually conducted to determine if facilities are in compliance. For those facilities that choose not to participate in the EPA program, they may choose to perform the tests themselves in order to satisfy their own needs and save money. However, both methods are expensive. If you choose to control your own testing, there are a few tips to help you along.

You may be required to complete an EPA training course and then take Assessments, Verification and Approval (AVA) test in order to certify for EPA regulation compliance. The training course will teach you how to administer the test and complete it correctly. You will also need information about the specific test that is ordered by the facility you will be working for. Since many businesses choose to control their own test, here is some information to help you choose the right one.

Do your homework. It is a good idea to understand exactly what is required of you, including the type of waste being removed, how it will be disposed of, and who is ultimately responsible for ensuring all compliance requirements are met. Then, review all applicable rules, regulations, and standards for your facility. Once you know what you will be required to do, you can plan your test so that it is timed appropriately. If you must wait longer than three days to submit your completed application, you may be assessed a late fee.

Find out about the testing process. The certification will only be valid when tests are completed satisfactorily. The Control status assessment is done by randomly choosing an individual from a pool of applicants. Each applicant must pass a Control Status Assessment (CSAA) within a specific time period. Your certification will not be valid if the Control Status Assessment fails.

The applicant must demonstrate an understanding of his or her responsibility as an employee of the facility. In order to qualify, he or she must be able to demonstrate an understanding of how wastes are managed, the types of wastes involved, and what must be done with those wastes to protect human health and the environment. This includes understanding the roles and responsibilities of management and maintenance employees. The person needs to be able to demonstrate that he or she has the skills necessary to carry out his or her responsibilities in a responsible manner.

An assessment is based on a competency model. The competency model consists of five basic areas: operations, management, safety, property protection, and environmental quality. When applying for certification, one must successfully complete a series of assessments based on each area. The person’s knowledge of each area must be evaluated at each testing point. The CSAA requires that the facility complete a management plan before testing can begin. This plan should include a description of the objectives of the facility and a detailed plan for addressing risks and fulfilling the needs of the residents.

When applying for certification in control, a facility must successfully complete the Control Status Assessment. Failure to do so means that the individual is not competent in his or her capacity as a manager or owner of the facility. When certifying agencies view the test results from the Control Status Assessment, it’s easy to see which positions need to be filled and which ones should be left open. Candidates who successfully meet all of these basic requirements will be considered for CSAA certification.