Toward Quality Biosolids Management: A Trainer's Manual

Training Module 4:
Transportation to land Application

Module overview

Because biosolids must be hauled from a biosolids production facility to an application site, transportation is an important part of biosolids management. In this module, participants will learn the rules of the road that govern biosolids hauling to a land application site, the actions that should be taken to prepare for a biosolids spill, and appropriate performance standards for truck drivers.

Training suggestions

State and local regulations are an important component of this training session. Proactive procedures, training, and plans to prevent transportation incidents should be stressed.

This session should follow "Biosolids Quality, EPA Part 503 Requirements" and "Public Information." A basic knowledge of biosolids quality and how to interact with the public is essential to designing a spill response plan.

Need-to-knows--Highway regulations and driver performance

What are the rules of the road?

• Name the state agency that licenses truck drivers.
• Name the state or local agency that designates vehicle weight, height, and width restrictions for highways
• Name the state or local agency that administers seasonal weight restrictions (e.g., restrictions that apply to unpaved roads during spring thaw in northern states).
• Describe the characteristics of acceptable/unacceptable routes for hauling biosolids from treatment plant to the application site.

What performance standards are appropriate for truck drivers?

• Describe appropriate cleanup procedures to be performed on biosolids application equipment before it leaves the application site for the public roads.
• Describe alternatives to reduce dust from truck traffic on rural roadways.
• Describe improper trucking practices that should result in a reprimand for city employees or contractors.
• List what should be included in a trucking contractor's standard operating plan.
• List a source of specifications for contracts with outside trucking companies (vendors).

Need-to-knows--Spill response

What actions should be taken to prepare for a biosolids spill?

• Identify what items must be included in a spill response plan, and where written copies of the plan should be kept.
• Tell when regulatory agency, law enforcement, and/or transportation department personnel must be notified of a biosolids spill.
• Describe appropriate response actions for a spill of a large or small quantity of biosolids.
• Describe the written information the driver should provide to the first responder in the case of a large spill.
• Tell why it is important that spill responders receive written information on biosolids stating that biosolids are not a hazardous waste.

Topics and activities for extended training

Group participation activities

Simulate a biosolids spill on a highway (virtual simulation only; do not spill a load of biosolids in the meeting room). Give participants a situation, and ask them to develop a quick response plan.

Hold a mock "transportation provider" meeting (a meeting with your trucking firm). Select participants to play the role of biosolids managers, explaining the proper spill response protocol to the truckers (other participants).

Oregon Short School Example

Activity description

Lecture: 50 minutes

Speaker description

Transportation coordinator for large wastewater treatment plant

Handout materials

Example: Trucking contractor's standard operating plan
Example: Spill response plan from a biosolids production facility
Example: One-page information sheet carried in all vehicles outlining spill response actions

Presentation materials

Slides of biosolids transport from a large wastewater treatment plant via contract haulers

Training resources

Publications

Transporter management practices. Chapter 3 in: Manual of good practice for agricultural land application of biosolids. California Water Environment Association.

General design considerations. Chapter 14 in: Process design manual, land application of sewage sludge and domestic septage, EPA-625-R-95-001.

State department of transportation handbook

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