RCRA Compliance Training: Helping Your Facility Meet EPA Standards

Key Takeaway

EPA regulations under 40 CFR 262 require all hazardous waste generators to complete RCRA training. CHEMTREC’s RCRA Hazardous Waste Management Course provides both initial and annual training to help SQGs and LQGs stay compliant and inspection‑ready.

Who needs RCRA hazardous waste training?

Anyone who generates, handles, or manages hazardous waste needs RCRA training. That includes more than just your environmental or safety team.

Under 40 CFR 262.17(a)(7), Large Quantity Generators (LQGs) must train all relevant employees within six months of hire and refresh that training every year. Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) must ensure staff are familiar with emergency procedures and safe waste handling, as required under 40 CFR 262.16(b)(9)(iii).

This applies to a wide range of roles, not just EHS managers. Employees often missed in training plans include:

●    Maintenance techs who change out solvent drums

●    Lab staff who discard expired chemicals

●    Warehouse workers who label and stage hazardous waste

●    Supervisors who sign shipping manifests or approve waste profiles

Missing just one required training record can trigger a violation. During RCRA inspections, EPA reviewers often ask for proof of training. If it’s missing or outdated, fines can reach tens of thousands per violation depending on how long the lapse lasted and how serious the risk was.

Understanding who must be trained is just the starting point. To maintain compliance, you also need to evaluate whether your current training program aligns with EPA expectations.

What topics should RCRA hazardous waste training cover?

Effective RCRA (Resource Conservation Recovery Act) training goes beyond just reading the regulations. It builds practical understanding that employees can apply in the field, especially during inspections, emergencies, or routine operations. Here’s what to look for when evaluating a hazardous waste training course:

1. Introduction to RCRA and its regulatory structure

Every solid RCRA course should begin with context. That includes a clear explanation of why RCRA exists, how it protects human health and the environment, and which parts of the regulation apply to your facility.

A strong course will break down the roles of EPA, state agencies, and how RCRA fits alongside other regulatory programs like DOT’s hazmat rules and OSHA’s hazard communication standard. If a training skips this, your team may miss the “why” behind what they’re doing.

2. Hazardous Waste Identification

Misidentifying waste is one of the top reasons for regulatory action. Good training teaches employees how to apply EPA’s classification system, distinguishing between listed wastes and characteristic wastes.

Look for instruction on using generator knowledge, how to read SDSs correctly, and when analytical testing is needed. A useful course will also cover mistakes to avoid, such as assigning codes based only on product names or discarding unknowns without evaluation.

3. Accumulation Rules

Your course should explain how long different types of generators can store waste on site, and under what conditions.

This includes time limits for LQGs and SQGs, the difference between central accumulation areas and satellite accumulation areas, and what happens if you exceed thresholds. A quality course won’t just state these rules, it will show how to track accumulation dates and avoid common missteps, like forgetting to update labels after moving a container.

4. Container Management

Poor container management is one of the most common RCRA violations, and one of the easiest to prevent with proper training.

Make sure your course teaches container selection, labeling, dating, and weekly inspection procedures. It should also address practical challenges, like how to manage leaking containers, when to use secondary containment, and what to document during inspections. Look for visual examples and clear checklists.

5. Emergency Preparedness

If a release or fire occurs, employees must know how to respond. A good course will walk through contingency plans, coordinator duties, and spill response actions, not just policies, but what those procedures look like on the floor.

The training should also review requirements like posting emergency contact numbers, testing alarms, and documenting drills. If a course glosses over this section, your facility may be underprepared when it matters most.

6. Land Disposal Restrictions (LDRs)

Training should explain what treatment standards are and how LDR documentation affects waste acceptance at a TSDF.

The course must teach how to prepare LDR notifications and certifications, which wastes are subject to Universal Treatment Standards, and how to verify compliance before shipping. This topic often gets skipped in basic training, but it’s critical for any generator sending hazardous waste for off-site treatment.
 

Why take RCRA compliance training online with CHEMTREC?

EPA inspectors don’t look for good intentions, they look for documented training, clear procedures, and employees who know what to do. That’s where CHEMTREC’s RCRA Hazardous Waste Management course makes a difference.

This training was built by regulatory professionals who have worked alongside companies during inspections, managed high-stakes incidents, and seen firsthand where compliance gaps turn into costly violations. It’s not theory, it’s practical, tested guidance.

CHEMTREC’s program helps you:

●    Train smarter with instruction from professionals who understand EPA, DOT, and OSHA regulations, and how they intersect on your floor

●    Learn through real-world examples, so employees know exactly how to apply the rules, not just memorize them

●    Move at your pace with mobile-friendly, self-guided lessons that fit any schedule

●    Stay audit-ready with certification records that align with EPA’s documentation requirements

●    Train every generator level with one course that meets both SQG and LQG requirements

If your team handles hazardous waste, the EPA requires proof of training. Let CHEMTREC help you get there, with instructor-led, online training you can trust.

Enroll in RCRA Hazardous Waste Management Training Today.