REPORT WRITING: TIPS FROM OUR BACKYARD TO YOURS...REPORT WRITING: TIPS FROM OUR BACKYARD TO YOURS...

REPORT WRITING:

TIPS FROM OUR

BACKYARD TO

YOURSCALRECYCLE

TECHNICAL TRAINING SERIES 2018

Purpose of an LEA Inspection

Determine Compliance with

Solid Waste Facility Permit

and State Minimum Standards

(Title 27 and Title 14 CCR)

Response to Complaint

Investigation

Illegal disposal

Composting odors 3

“ We are like death, we

come when we want to.

-Inspector

4

1. Ah! The Element of

Surprise!“You came early!” - Operator

Inspection Timing

▪ Early morning inspections

▪ Late in the day/early evening inspections

▪ “Cleanest” time of day for site, per the

operator, and go.

Aim for random and representative

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2. Inspection Photos and

Site SketchesTEXT, TEXT, TEXT

Inspection Photos

Key Elements for Inspection Photos

Establishing Information:

facility name, location, and

permit number

Narrative with the direction of

the photo

Page number and date of the

photo

Person who took the photo

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Comparison Photos

Useful in highlighting

specific SMSs

Try to take these photos

from the same angle and

direction

Attempt to use consistent

landmarks to illustrate

changes in site conditions

Helpful in communicating

observations to operator

from month to month

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A Picture is Worth More than 12,500 Words

Composting operation:

June 20, 2018Composting operation:

September 10, 2018

Inspection Diagrams and Calculating On-Site

Volumes

Establish facility

location

Provide sampling

locations

Orient photos

Offers dimensions of

the site

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Inspection Diagrams: Enforcement

Establish facility

location

Provide sampling

locations

Orient photos

Offers dimensions

of the site

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3. Tools of the TradeUnits, Calibration and Language

LEA Equipment

Measuring wheel

Camera/Compass

Thermometer

Measuring rod

Wind meter

Calculator (old school)

GEM 5000

Combustible Gas Indicator (CGI)

Odor wheel 16

INSPECTION LANGUAGE WITH TOOLS

Example sentence without equipment informed data compost #1 (odors).

Example sentence WITH equipment informed data.

Example sentence without equipment informed data (landfill gas)

Example sentence WITH equipment informed data - #2 (landfill gas)

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4. Note Taking StrategiesIt’s all about the details

“On taquerias…

Don’t eat at the ones with

habañeros, but the ones with

jalapeños are okay.

The ones with habañeros wash

their hands BEFORE they use

the bathroom.

-Inspector19

Perspective

▪ Orienting and directional details

▪ Unique and extreme site dynamics

▪ Unique site surprises

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5. Writing with UrgencyTiming is everything

Sooner is better

Write during the

inspection as though

sooner may not be

possible by taking detailed

notes.

WHEN TO WRITE: THE SOONER THE

BETTER

Writing behavior tips

Pre-schedule writing

sessions (in pencil)

Target your best writing

window

Writing hacks

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6. Benefits of Detailed NotesReduce, reconstruct and return

1. Reduce Writing BarriersOne way to address writing interruptions

3. Return to the ViewDirectionality to guide you

2. Reconstruct the SceneEase of recalling site information

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Q & AThank you!

You can find us at:

▪ Mike.Condon@sdcounty.ca.gov

▪ Naomi.Walski@sdcounty.ca.gov