§ 130A-309.25. Training of operators of solid waste management facilities.
§130A‑309.25. Training of operators of solid waste management facilities.
(a) The Departmentshall establish qualifications for, and encourage the development of trainingprograms for, operators of incinerators, operators of landfills, coordinatorsof local recycling programs, and other solid waste management facilities.
(b) The Departmentshall work with accredited community colleges, vocational technical centers,State universities, and private institutions in developing educationalmaterials, courses of study, and other such information to be made availablefor persons seeking to be trained as operators of solid waste managementfacilities.
(c) A person may notperform the duties of an operator of a solid waste management facility after 1January 1998, unless he has completed an operator training course approved bythe Department. An owner of a solid waste management facility may not employany person to perform the duties of an operator unless the person has completedan approved solid waste management facility operator training course.
(d) The Commission mayadopt rules and minimum standards to effectuate the provisions of this sectionand to ensure the safe, healthy, and lawful operation of solid waste managementfacilities. The Commission may establish, by rule, various classifications foroperators to address the need for differing levels of training required tooperate various types of solid waste management facilities due to differentoperating requirements at the facilities.
(e) In developing trainingprograms for incinerator operators under this section, the Department shallestablish and consult with ad hoc advisory groups to help coordinate therequirements under this section with other training programs for incineratoroperators.
(f) This section doesnot apply to any operator of a solid waste management facility who has fiveyears continuous experience as an operator of a solid waste management facilityimmediately preceding January 1, 1998, provided that the operator attends acourse and completes the continuing education requirements approved by theDepartment. (1989, c. 784, s. 2; 1993, c. 29, s. 1; 1995 (Reg.Sess., 1996), c. 594, s. 19; 1997‑443, s. 15.49(a).)