Landfarm Operator Certification

1. Landfarm Operator Certification Chapter 5: Other Landfarm Considerations

2. General Objective • Understand the impact of equipment alternatives and their impact on productivity, maintenance, cost, and soil

3. Specific Objectives • Understand the effects of land application on soil and crop management • Understand the requirements and rationale of a landowner agreement • Understand the requirements and importance of proper signage

4. Specific Objectives • Understand the reasons, regulatory requirements, and limitations associated with temporary stockpiling • Understand the potential hazards and safety considerations associated with land application facilities

5. Equipment • Utilizing the appropriate equipment to apply materials will not only make the operation more efficient but may also be necessary for proper agricultural practice • Other conditions that may dictate the type of equipment used may be • Compaction • Production • Injection

6. Soil and Crop Management • Designing, implementing and evaluating a plan for land application of material requires working within the landowner’s or site operator’s existing management system and the limitations imposed by regulations affecting the land application process. • Some limitations may be imposed on landowners by other programs

7. Cropping Considerations • Wastes cannot be incorporated without damaging some percentage of the crop; • About 50% of the ammonium form of nitrogen is lost following surface application of wastes; • Some physical benefits of wastes cannot be fully realized with surface applications; • Subsurface injection of liquid wastes may temporarily disrupt an established sod; and • There is a waiting period between the last waste application and either animal grazing or hay harvesting.

9. Lease Agreement • The purpose of the lease agreement is to provide documentation that a landowner has given express permission to use the property for land application. • In most cases, a lease agreement is only required for a full permit. • The lease agreement contains language that specifies both the responsibilities of both parties (i.e., the land applier and the landowner) as well as the regulatory requirements that must be followed.

10. Signage • A sign must be posted at the entrance(s) to any landfarming site • The purpose of the sign is to notify the general public of the activities that are occurring at the site. • Information required for the sign includes operator’s name, generator(s) name, permit number, farm or site name, and contact phone numbers. • In addition, signs must restrict public access.

12. Temporary Stockpiling • Acceptable stockpiling is the TEMPORARY placement of a solid material prior to land applying • Stockpiling is typically used as a management/operational practice during periods of inclement weather, crop removal, equipment maintenance, etc. • Any stockpiling is allowed as a Permit-By-Rule and is subject to the Environmental Performance Standards

13. Temporary Stockpiling • Stockpiling should be TEMPORARY. The intent of stockpiling is only to stage the material prior to application • The Division considers temporary stockpiling as a period NOT TO EXCEED a period of 12 months

14. Safety • A safe workplace does not mean a workplace free of all risks • It does mean a workplace where every attempt is made, by all involved, to recognize and minimize hazards and to train each employee in the proper procedures to manage those hazards

15. Biological Hazards • TAKE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS • Glass, metals, used needles, and other sharp objects • Could allow pathogens to enter the body • Wastewater landfarm operators are exposed to materials from direct human origin

16. Biological Hazards • Landfarming growths include molds and fungus • PPE and personal hygiene will greatly reduce the risks of biological exposure

17. Biological Hazards • Avoid direct contact with suspect materials • Wear latex or vinyl gloves when handling suspect materials • Train all personnel in blood borne pathogen protection

18. Biological Hazards • Use of respiratory protection for dust and debris exposure • Make hand washing, shower, and toilet facilities are available to employees

19. Physical Hazards • Exposure to large equipment • Minor injuries…cuts, strains, sprains, bruises, abrasion • Occur from slips, falls, improper lifting, improper use of hand tools • Serious injury and death can occur

20. General Guidelines for Protection from Physical Hazards • Use proper PPE • Hearing protection • Hardhats • Steel-toed boots • Safety glasses • gloves

21. General Guidelines for Protection from Physical Hazards • Maintain equipment • Preventive maintenance • Replace frayed electrical cords • Replace broken handles on equipment

22. General Guidelines for Protection from Physical Hazards • Maintain any safety guards and assure that they are on all rotating and moving equipment • Practice good housekeeping

23. Chemical Safety • One way to determine the potential hazards of a chemical product is through the review of a material safety data sheet (MSDS) • An employer must provide an MSDS for all hazardous materials on site and shall contain the following information:

24. Material Safety Data Sheets • The chemical manufacturer’s name, address and emergency telephone number, the chemical name, trade name, and chemical formula. • The physical and chemical characteristics of the hazardous chemical (such as vapor pressure, flash point). • The physical hazards of the hazardous chemical, including the potential for fire, explosion, and reactivity. • The health hazards of the hazardous chemical, including signs and symptoms of exposure, and any medical conditions which are generally recognized as being aggravated by exposure to the chemical

25. Material Safety Data Sheets • The primary route(s) of entry. • The OSHA permissible exposure limit, ACGIH Threshold Limit Value, and any other exposure limit used or recommended by the chemical manufacturer, importer, or employer preparing the material safety data sheet, where available. • Any generally applicable precautions for safe handling and use which are known to the chemical manufacturer, importer or employer preparing the MSDS, including appropriate hygienic practices, protective measures during repair and maintenance of contaminated equipment, and procedures for clean-up of spills and leaks.

26. Material Safety Data Sheets • Any generally applicable control measures that are known to the chemical manufacturer, importer, or employers preparing the MSDS, such as appropriate engineering controls, work practices, or personal protective equipment. • Emergency and first aid procedures • The date of preparation of the MSDS or the date of the last change made.

27. Protection From Chemical Hazards • Employer and employee should select personal protective equipment • Hazardous materials enter the body by inhalation, ingestion, absorption through skin or eyes, and injection

28. Primary Ways of Exposure • Failure to follow procedure or use PPE • Inadequate knowledge of materials • Failure to decontaminate equipment • Carelessness