THE Environment Agency (EA) has issued guidelines on Technically Competent Managers (TCMs) attending waste sites throughout the current period of coronavirus restrictions.
“We understand that many operators will be concerned about how they can satisfy attendance requirements whilst sites are running on reduced staffing levels and staff may well be ill or self-isolating. We will be pragmatic in our approach,” the guidance note reads.
“There is still a requirement to have a technically competent person as a requirement of the permit.
“The TCM attendance hours are within the guidance on GOV.UK and they are an indication that site activities are in being overseen by a technically competent manager.
“Where the TCM is self-isolating or sick and cannot attend the site. The operator should be able and capable of operating the plant or site safely through both their EMS and operations training.”
Operators should:
- Review their training and capability structure to ensure roles, responsibilities and accident plans are in place and reviewed to ensure that they are fit for purpose;
- Ensure that remote systems are operational. Alarms systems where required, are fully operational;
- Have a responsive duty roster to respond to incidents;
- Notify us where the site cannot be safely monitored; and
- Record if their nominated TCM(s) are self-isolating in the site diary.
“In view of Pearson VUE test centres now being closed and the fact that Continuing Competence tests are not currently being available and pending any changes in Government’s advice, the EA will not regard the failure to complete a continuing competence assessment that became due after 16 March 2020 as being a failure to comply with the CIWM/WAMITAB Operator Competence scheme,” the statement continues.
“If this applies to you or your TCM, please contact both the EA and WAMITAB as soon as possible to let us know.”