DEP PROVIDES HAZARDOUS WASTE TRAINING AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 21, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us 

DEP PROVIDES HAZARDOUS WASTE TRAINING AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE

~Training benefits Florida's environment by educating handlers and managers of hazardous materials statewide~

LAKE BUENA VISTA – This week, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection participated in the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association’s (NAHMMA) 29th annual conference held in Lake Buena Vista. Several DEP staff members provided training to approximately 200 attendees involved in the handling or indirect management of hazardous wastes. 

“The training and information that DEP provides to local government personnel from across the state is the same training that our internal employees receive,” said DEP's Central District Director Jeff Prather. “Ensuring all inspectors are properly equipped to handle, manage and inspect hazardous wastes safely and consistently statewide is a key priority of the department and our field staff.” 

Numerous training sessions held by department staff were attended by county Small Quantity Generator (SQG) program staff and household hazardous waste managers. Training included the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), used oil and universal wastes, a guide to field inspections, hospital and salvage yard inspections, household hazardous waste collection, and small manufacturing facility inspections. A department emergency responder, in coordination with Orange County personnel, also provided an 8-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response refresher course to attendees requiring this certification.

A portion of the conference was devoted to providing compliance assistance training to SQG program staff who, like the department, conduct outreach to businesses in the hazardous waste industry. Local SQG program outreach expands the reach of DEP's compliance assistance efforts. They also assist the department by screening and responding to complaints. 

NAHMMA is a professional organization dedicated to pollution prevention and reducing hazardous constituents entering municipal waste streams. Their organization brings together a diverse membership that promotes information sharing and cooperative problem solving. For more information about NAHMMA, go to www.nahmma.org