EPA (Vic) Works Approval Application Appendices C - F ......Works Approval Application Appendices C - F August 2019 ... available amount of sunshine at any given time will be able

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EPA (Vic)

Works Approval Application Appendices C - F

August 2019

Camperdown Compost Company Pty Ltd

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APPENDIX C Facility Design

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APPENDIX C Facility Design

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APPENDIX C – Drawing & Plans

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Water System & Plumbing Plan

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Drainage System Plan

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Site Fire Services

Appendix C

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APPENDIX D – Bio-security pathogen destruction research

The following articles demonstrate the effectiveness of compost in reduction of biological risks

Can Composting Solve Specified Risk Material Issues?

Shanwei Xu, Tim Reuter, Kim Stanford and Tim A. McAllister

Lethbridge Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Government of Alberta

Presents evidence of BSE destruction through composting.

Available via this link. Please note the link may be blocked via your document reader, if so please

copy and paste the link in your browser.

http://www.luresext.edu/sites/default/files/Prions%20and%20Mortality%20Composting.pdf

Evidence for degradation of abnormal prion protein in tissues from sheep with scrapie during

composting

Hongsheng Huang, J. Lloyd Spencer, Andrei Soutyrine, Jeiwan Guan, Jasmaine Rendulich, Aru

Balachandran

The Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research

Available via this link

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1636000/

Biodegradation of Prions in Compost

Shanwei Xu, Tim Reuter, Brandon H Gilroyed, Gordon B. Mitchell, Luke M. Price, Sandor Dudas,

Shannon L, Braithwaite, Catherine Graham, Stefanie Czub, Jerry J. Leonard, Aru Balachandran,

Norman F Neuman, Miodrag Belosevic and Tim A. McAllister

Xu et al 2014 is available

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/296053188_Biodegradation_of_infectious_prions_in_compo

st

Appendix E –





https://www.researchgate.net/publication/296053188_Biodegradation_of_infectious_prions_in_compost




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Odour Management Performance, Compost Systems Aerated Floors and

Odour Management Plan

This section demonstrates that Camperdown Compost Company, as the operator of the Bookaar

facility, understands and accepts its responsibilities to manage and control odour produced.

Specifically, it should show:

• That Camperdown Compost Company either directly or through its contractors or

subcontractors will ensure that any odour control equipment is designed, operated and

maintained so that it operates effectively to control odour at all times;

• That Camperdown Compost Company is familiar with the characteristics of the process and

equipment on site and has identified the high risk odour emissions stages of its process;

• How Camperdown Compost Company will reduce or cease operations if necessary to avoid

nuisance odour events;

• How Camperdown Compost Company will engage and communicate with the community to

address their concerns; and

• How Camperdown Compost Company will handle and respond to any complaints received.

7.1 Scope

7.1.1 Operational Phase Odour Management

This section aims to adequately address the following:

• An assessment of the risks of odour problems, from normal and abnormal situations;

• Worst case scenarios, for example of weather, temperature, or breakdowns;

• Accident scenarios;

• The appropriate controls (both physical and management) needed to manage odour risks;

• Suitable monitoring;

• Actions, contingencies and responsibilities when problems arise;

• Regular review of the effectiveness of the odour control measures; and

• Emission limits where appropriate.

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Table 9: Camperdown Compost Company Feedstocks and Associated Odour Risks

Feedstock Type Overall Risk Level Factors Affecting Odour Risk

GO & FOGO Medium • Seasonal moisture levels

• Summer FOGO rot risk eg seafood

Commercial food waste Medium

• Delivery time

• Temperature

• Source and nature of feedstock

Grease trap wastes Medium • Temperature

• Solids Fraction

K100 High • Temperature

• Source & nature of feedstock

K200 High / Medium • Temperature

• Source and nature of feedstock

Drilling muds Low • Blending rate

7.2 Surrounding Uses and Sensitive Receptors

7.2.1 Surrounding Land Uses

The site is located in a farming zone, and surrounding properties are used for crops and sheep grazing.

Camperdown Compost Company’s operational facility is 9 Kms from the centre of Camperdown and

approximately 8 Kms from outlying residential areas who are highly unlikely to experience any odour

from the Camperdown Compost Company.

The property currently experiences and produces odours consistent with the rural nature of the area

on a day-to-day basis. Camperdown Compost Company has documented its Community Engagement

Plan and will engage directly with neighbouring residents to ensure clear and direct communication

and feedback. Four residents have been identified within a 3Km range of the facility for direct contact,

one of whom has complained in the past. The remainder of potential sensitive receptors are

associated with the land lessor or are relatives of the owners of the Camperdown Compost Company.

The nearest sensitive receptor is a farming property and lies 2.4 Km to the north-west of the site.

Red Circle 2100 m, Yellow Circle 2400 m, Blue Circle 3000 m

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7.2.2 Sensitive Receptors

Due to the remote location of the site, there are few sensitive receptors in the region. These receptors are listed in Table 11. Table 10: Odour Sensitive Receptors

Receptor Description Approximate Distance

Sensitivity Direction

R1 1.2 Km Medium (residential, but also

an odour producer itself) SSW

R2 2.4 Km Medium (Residential) E

R3 2.1 Km Low (Residential) ESE


R5 2.7 Km Low (vacant farm cottage) E


R7 3.0 Km Medium (Residential) NE

7.3 Potential Off-Site Sources of Odour

Agricultural odours may be reasonably expected to be present in a region of a predominantly rural

nature

7.4 Optimal Weather Conditions

The meteorological conditions to which the site is subjected on a day-to-day basis assist greatly in the

creation of ideal dispersion conditions. The weather conditions are usually the primary determining

factor in whether odour from an emitting site will sufficiently disperse to allow for the site to be

approved for operations. Given that, Camperdown Compost Company’s site at Bookaar has an

extensive buffer, the meteorological profile of the area plays a secondary but significant role in

ensuring no off-site odour impacts are reported. The three fundamental meteorological factors that

influence the generation of odour are:

• Wind Direction and Speed;

• Sunshine; and

• Precipitation.

7.4.1 Wind

Wind is the primary meteorological factor affecting the intensity of odour experienced off-site in

organics processing. Wind passes over the site and picks up odour particles, carrying and distributing

them along its path. Windier conditions are more favourable for the dispersion of odour while calm

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conditions result in odour remaining stagnant and lingering in the immediate vicinity of the source; in

this case, feedstock, and windrows.

For the purposes of this management plan, data from the weather station at Mortlake, Victoria has

been used. Mortlake is the most proximal weather station that has records of wind data, and is located

approximately 33km north east of the Blind Creek Road premises. A directional anemometer is

installed on site to monitor wind for environmental management purposes and logged to computer

for maintenance of site records.

7.4.1.1 Wind Direction The direction from which the wind blows is a significant influence on the ability of the odour of a site

to impinge on surrounding sensitive receptors. In the absence of buildings, wind disperses the odour

in the immediate vicinity opposite the direction from which it has blown.

Direction of wind in this region of Victoria most frequently blows from the North and North West and

South and South West dispersing odour to the South and South East and North and North East of the

site in the immediate vicinity. The greatest risk of wind borne odour travel is to the south of the site

from northerly winds and to the north east from south-westerly winds. The closest sensitive receptor

is to the east and site, where due westerly’s are infrequent. A wind sock on site helps inform operators

of odour risks to neighbours before turning operations are conducted. Turning and other odour

operations are guided and informed by Procedure 4-214 Wind Direction Monitoring & Activity

Scheduling.

9am Wind 3pm Wind

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7.4.1.2 Wind Magnitude The magnitude of force with which wind blows affects the diffusion and dispersal of odour, in that the

faster the wind speed, the better the likelihood of sufficient dispersion. Calm conditions, conversely,

are generally the least favourable for dispersion, allowing for odour to remain stagnant and radially

diffuse from the source at a slower rate, leading to higher concentrations of odorous particles in air.

In this region, calm is experienced only 4% of the time at 9am and 1% of the time at 3pm, indicating

there is almost always sufficient breeze to assist disperse odour. Nearly 25% of wind at 9am is

northerly and usually more than 10Km/pHr and at 3pm the wind is stronger and southerly or south

westerly.

These figures indicate the facility is in a suitable location for a compost operation. The typical

magnitudes of winds are sufficient to enhance odour dispersion and decrease the likelihood it will

affect the nearest sensitive receptors.

7.4.2 Sunshine Exposure

The amount of sun exposure that the site receives also contributes to how well or poorly the odour

from its operations can disperse. Under conditions up to moderate breeze wind speeds earth surface

heating and cooling is the primary factor in dispersion.

Long hours of sunshine contribute to ideal dispersion conditions for odour, minimising the likelihood

that odour will be an issue after the development of the proposed facility. No figures for sunshine are

available from Mortlake however the South West can experience overcast winters and spring in line

with the rainfall requiring more attention to odour management in the winter and spring months No

shadow-casting buildings or vegetation exist in the immediate vicinity of the site, so the maximum

available amount of sunshine at any given time will be able to reach the maturing windrows.

7.4.3 Precipitation

Camperdown is a relatively wet area, receiving an average 762mm per year and excessive precipitation

is a likely contributor to odour nuisance events at the Bookaar site. Being an open facility with force

aerated open windrow technology, Camperdown Compost Company at Bookaar will be somewhat

vulnerable to the effects of precipitation on site but windrows under force aeration treatment are

unlikely to become anaerobic at the base.

Mitigation strategies outlined in this document will be employed in the event of windrows becoming

disproportionately moist and producing anything other than average odour, both in terms of intensity

and character. Precipitation can contribute to odour at composting sites with general surface and road

puddling of contact water producing odours across the whole site which can be managed with good

housekeeping and site cleanliness.

7.5 Identified On-Site Odour Sources

There are number of sources of odour that arise from the Camperdown Compost Company

composting process. The application of best practice management measures would be capable of

minimising and managing odours to an acceptable level. Table 11 provides an inventory of the odour

sourced identifies at the Camperdown Compost Company facility.

Table 11: On-Site Odour Sources Inventory

Source Location Process Activity and Material

Responsible Type of

Emission

Likely Compounds

Emitted

Description of Atmosphere

Release Control Measures

Waste delivery

Site Access Waste reception on receipt pad

Incoming loads of source segregated garden organics FOGO and solid K200

Fugitive Fresh feedstock odours

Uncontrolled • Waste enclosed in delivery vehicles

• Prompt delivery of material and no extended “waiting time” for trucks

Receipts Pad

Spreading, decontamination, and shredding of waste

Disturbance of waste deliveries, exposure to the air for an extended period during decontamination

Fugitive. Potential Spike during shredding

Fresh feedstock odours

Uncontrolled

• Priority processing and windrowing of odorous deliveries

• Rejection of deliveries deemed to be too odorous

LAPs Liquid delivery Loads of K120, K100 & K200

Fugitive Fresh feedstock odours

Uncontrolled

• Immediate de-watering processing

• Prompt blending of solids and residues with chipped solid wastes

• Wash down procedures

Water System Contact water dam

Water storage Anaerobic conditions Fugitive Anaerobic compounds

Uncontrolled • Aeration of contact water dam

Force Aerated Windrow Processing

Force Aeration Pad

Transfer to windrow pads

Blended feedstock Fugitive Aerobic composting odour

Fugitive emissions as gasses are released from within active material

• Avoid this process in the morning where possible as morning are generally the stillest time of day

Formation of windrows

Active compost Fugitive Aerobic composting odour

Fugitive emissions as gasses are released from within active material

• Use of Procedure 4-214 Wind Direction Monitoring & Activity Scheduling for windrow formation

• Appropriate blend ratios for odour minimisation

Windrow turning

Active compost Fugitive Aerobic composting odour

Fugitive emissions as gasses are released from

• Use of Procedure 4-214 Wind Direction Monitoring & Activity Scheduling for windrow formation

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Source Location Process Activity and Material

Responsible Type of

Emission

Likely Compounds

Emitted

Description of Atmosphere

Release Control Measures

Windrow force aeration

within active material

and turning during adequate odour dispersion conditions

• Continuous and regular parameter monitoring for optimal force aeration

• Turning frequency increase if required

• Addition of zeolite or finished compost as odour ameliorants if needed

Maturation Active compost Fugitive

Aerobic maturation odour- reduced intensity

Fugitive emissions as product matures

• Dry process reducing moisture through maturity.

• Appropriate blend ratios for effective microbial breakdown

Screening

Screening Pad

Screening of product

Mature compost Fugitive

Mature product “earthy” odour character. Very limited odour

Fugitive emissions from storage piles

• Use of Procedure 4-214 Wind Direction Monitoring & Activity Scheduling

Storage Storage of finished product

Mature compost Fugitive


Fugitive emissions from storage piles

• Limits on the volume of mature product which can be stored on-site

Dispatch Product dispatch Mature compost Fugitive


Fugitive emissions from disturbance of storage piles

• None required.

7.6 Odour Control during Normal Operations

The application of good working practices and process control is of fundamental importance in

eliminating and minimising the generation of odours formed on site and their subsequent release to

atmosphere. These practices have written into operations procedures to limit activity during a range

of weather and atmospheric conditions experienced under normal operating conditions.

The overall aim in the operation of the facility is to apply best practice at all stages of the waste

treatment processes undertaken on site. For this reason, the facility will be operated and managed in

accordance with the accepted hierarchy of preferred controls, that is:

1. prevent the formation or emission of odorous compounds in the first place;

2. where this is not practicable, minimise the release of odour;

3. abate excessive emissions; then

4. dilute any residual odour by effective dispersion in the atmosphere

7.6.1 Odour Control Strategies

Several control measures have been worked into the design of the facility in order to ensure best

practice odour management for this type of organics recycling process. The measures to be

employed include:

• Continuous monitoring of gases, oxygen, carbon dioxide and methane within the active

windrows to optimise force aeration cycles

• Turning of windrows

• De-watering of higher risk liquid feedstocks;

• Turning and other odour operations are guided and informed by Procedure 4-214 Wind

Direction Monitoring & Activity Scheduling.

In the sections below, the odour control strategies associated with each process step are described.

These strategies will be incorporated into Camperdown Compost Company’s process and are what

Camperdown Compost Company believes to be best practice odour management for a facility of this

size, technology and location.

7.6.2 Waste Acceptance

All incoming deliveries have been risk assessed and pre-approved in accordance with Procedure 4-330

Pre Receipt Feedstock Assessment & Approval and will be inspected and recorded appropriately. EPA

Trade Waste Certificates will be completed where required. Subject to risk analysis, a random

sampling program operates to ensure the quality and consistency of feedstocks received at the site

using Procedure 4-232 Feedstock Receipts Monitoring and Random Sampling

A major factor affecting the potential for odour emissions at the waste delivery and reception stage is

the content and condition of the feedstock. It is within the site manager’s power to reject any

material (e.g. contaminated or odorous wastes that have been stored too long) that will compromise

his or her ability to manage the site and prevent the emission of unacceptable odours.

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Specific controls include:

• For general feedstock acceptance, the policy will require all deliveries to conform to the

specifications within the relevant contract; and

• In accordance with Camperdown Compost Company’s Feedstock Management Plan, all

deliveries must be inspected upon receipt to ensure compliance with the above specifications.

Staff will be trained as to the acceptability criteria for incoming loads. Waste will only be accepted if:

a) It conforms to the type and maximum quantity that is specified in Camperdown Compost

Company’s EPA Licence; and

b) It conforms to the description in the current contract. Receipt dockets will be completed for all deliveries received at Camperdown Compost Company and retained on-site.

7.6.3 Unloading of Wastes

As described, wastes received at Camperdown Compost Company’s Bookaar facility will be unloaded in one of two ways. They are:

• Liquid Acceptance Pit; and

• Receipt Pad.

7.6.3.1 Liquid Acceptance Pit Liquids at Camperdown Compost Company will be processed via the Liquid Acceptance Pit. Liquid will

be immediately processed through a de-watering screen with clean irrigation water stored for

application to windrows and solids and residues blended with chipped solid wastes on the receipts

pad. In contingency and during the transition period of the construction schedule, liquid receipts will

be accepted into bunded green waste bulking agent piles and immediately blended and formed into

a pile awaiting windrow formation on the aerated floor.

7.6.3.2 Receipt Pad The garden organics, FOGO, commercial food waste and solid K200 deliveries will be tipped onto the

receipts pad. The newly deposited feedstock is visually inspected by the decontaminators once the

waste is tipped on the floor. Any contaminants are removed and disposed in accordance with

Camperdown Compost Company’s Recycling Policy.

Temporary storage in reception area The holding time of feedstock material stored prior to processing is a significant factor in a site’s

potential for odour generation. The holding times of the chipped garden organics and FOGO waste

delivered to the facility are to be carefully controlled to minimise uncontrolled decomposition prior

to processing. Piles waiting for windrow formation will be turned by loader or excavator to maintain

an aerobic state during favourable atmospheric conditions. Non-odorous materials will be chipped

and stored on the receipt pads until available for processing. Camperdown Compost Company will not

store material on the receipt pad for longer than 5 days.

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• Holding time is limited to five days in order to minimise the potential for odour generation.

In practice, the feedstock will spend less than 3 day prior to being moved the windrow pad.

• Waste will be processed in the order delivered (with the exception of excessively odorous

batches which will be processed as a priority)

Cleaning

Regular scheduled cleaning of the handling equipment such as loaders and excavators used in receipt

areas as well as the roads, the receipt pad itself and drainage channels will discourage odour

generation from remnants of organic materials decomposing. The exact nature of these sweep and

wash procedures will be developed and detailed in separate procedures which will be developed

during the commissioning testing phase of the facility. This section of the document will be updated

once this has taken place.

7.6.5 Force Aerated Windrow Composting

Operation of Plant and Process to Minimise Odour Releases Each windrow will be independently monitored and managed to maximise compost efficiency with

the delivery of oxygen via the air floor as required per the continuous monitoring probes. This will

ensure optimal aerobic conditions to minimise offensive odour emissions.

Contact water and leachate from the process will drain into the collection drains located within the

air floor. This will keep leachate and contact water contained underground, minimising odour from

open drains. The drain connects to the contact water dam

The site’s rural context and appropriate management strategies will suffice in mitigating these odours. Strategies to be employed are:

• Continuous monitoring of temperature of windrows at three different depths driving

computerised automatic force aeration to ensure optimal composting conditions maximise

odour suppressing conditions.

• Regular monitoring of oxygen, carbon dioxide and methane will further inform windrow

management decisions on the effectiveness of temperature driven fans and their correlation

to levels of oxygenation, carbon dioxide and methane

• Turning to break up aerobic clumps and fissures forming to maintain even airflow and

convection within the windrows using the listed parameters to guide the frequency. This will

minimise odorous turning events.

• Close monitoring of weather forecasts to couple odourous processes (i.e. turning) with

favourable atmospheric conditions for adequate dispersion.

Regular turning of the windrows is an essential odour management strategy used to compliment the

force aerated system by providing regular mixing and agitation to the static windrows. It

simultaneously aerates and irrigates the piles and facilitates evaporation of moisture from within the

pile, while the agitation breaks up any anaerobic clumps preventing the collection of water within the

pores of the pile. The parameters for force aeration and turning activities is listed below. Windrows

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will be turned on a minimum weekly cycle and may be turned daily if required in the early stages of

the forced aeration process to minimize odour potential.

Table 12: Turn Frequency Parameters

Parameter Measured Requirements Action

Temperature >55°c If > 75°c Turn

Oxygen >10% If < 10% Aerate or Turn

Carbon Dioxide <8% If > 8% Aerate or Turn

Methane <1% If > 1% Aerate or Turn

Moisture 40-60% Irrigate to 60% Optimum

7.7 Odour Control during Upset Conditions

This section of the document deals with the management and control of odours during unusual or

emergency situations. It outlines the contingency strategies Camperdown Compost Company can

employ during abnormal events and process upsets (including emergencies, maintenance,

breakdowns, extreme weather events, etc.).

A risk assessment approach has been employed in the evaluation of odour control techniques during

maintenance and abnormal events. This approach is designed to:

• identify the location and conditions under which abnormal operational conditions or failures

might arise;

• summarise the potential impact or consequences of the identified abnormal / failure situation

and assesses the degree of those impacts; and

• describe how the conditions could be prevented and/or mitigated and controlled.

The majority of abnormal situations can be controlled in some way by good management of the facility

and feedstocks. Solutions to mechanical problems will necessitate the replacement or repair of

component parts. Breakdowns should be minimised, as maintenance of odour critical plant and

equipment will limit such occurrences. Furthermore, the system has been designed with key

redundancies to enable operation of the odour control system even with failures in other parts of the

system. The combination of the aerated floor and self-propelled turners allows the continuation of

aeration operations and odour minimisation with the breakdown of either aeration option. The

chances of both aeration options simultaneously failing is very small.

Where planned or emergency maintenance of plant items has to be carried out and there is a

likelihood of odour being released to atmosphere, it can be managed so that it is highly unlikely that

this will be in quantities sufficient to result in detection offsite. Camperdown Compost Company’s

location provides some protection that even during periods of maintenance and upset conditions,

odour is unlikely to cause any prolonged disturbance to the community.

This document is to be retained on-site and will be referred to in the event of a process upset which

may cause excess odour generation. Below is summary of the foreseeable situations that may

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compromise the operator’s ability to prevent and/or minimise odorous releases from the process and

the actions to be taken to minimise the impact.

Table 13: Potential Upset Conditions Resulting in Excess Odour

Location of Emission

Circumstance which may lead to excess emission

Consequence Measures in place prevent or

reduce consequence Actions to be taken

Access Route

Delivery of larger volume of feedstock over a short period of time

Excessive material on site generating more odour than usual

• Carefully scheduled deliveries

• Planned major receipt events

• Prioritise batches and process those with potential for odour first

Gradual accumulation of spilt feedstock from delivery vehicles on access route and receipts areas

Uncontrolled breakdown of this residual feedstock, potential odour annoyance

• Covering of delivery vehicles

• Clean up and wash down procedures

• Regular inspection of the access route

• Collection of any feedstock along the route

Receipts Pad

Delivery of unusually odorous feedstock

Fugitive releases of highly odorous emissions

• Initial odour assessment of feedstock

• Training of all staff as to the grounds on which to reject a batch of feedstock

• Rejection of delivery if deemed necessary

• Quick response to blending & forming up into windrows

• Blending with odour reducers such as zeolite or finished compost

• Record odour event on corresponding feedstock receipt form

• Contact client and report odorous delivery

• Identify reason for odorous delivery and implement any prevention measures available for the future

Backlog of solid material becoming malodourous


• Delivery schedules properly managed and adhered to

• Deliveries that cannot be processed in a timely manner to be sent to alternate organics recycling facility or landfill

• Cover material with mature compost to act as a bio-filter

• Prioritise Solid K200 and FOGO and for processing over garden organics

• Prioritise blending separated solids and liquid receipts pits residue material

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Gradual accumulation of feedstock on pads


• Site Manager to make regular assessments of state of receipts pad

• Sweeping of accumulated material and wash down of receipts area

LAP

Delivery of particularly malodorous feedstock

Excessive odour

• Initial inspection of deliveries

• Clear and defined conditions for delivery standard made clear to customers

• Rejection of delivery if deemed necessary

• Record odour event on corresponding feedstock receipt form

• Contact client and report odorous delivery

• Identify reason for odorous delivery and implement any prevention measures available for the future

Delivery of larger than usual volume of feedstock Spill or overflow event

Excessive odour caused by exposure of large liquid surface area to air

• Carefully scheduled deliveries

• Planned major receipt events

• Volume buffer of LAP

• Immediate de-watering process for liquid receipts

• Give a short amount of time for sediment to form (20 mins approx.) and commence pumping liquid layer to storage tanks

• Sweep any overflow into LAP as soon as there is sufficient space

• Hose down spill area, directing run-off into LAP

Gradual accumulation of material in the receipts pit


• Weekly inspection of LAP

• Cleaning as required following inspection

• Prioritise blending separated solids and liquid receipts pits residue material

• Clean when required as indicated by regular inspection

• Use appropriate cleaning materials and methods, such as high pressure washer to scrub walls and base of pit area.

Contact Water Dam

Anaerobic conditions Odorous emissions • Aeration of the contact

water • Run aeration system continuously

• Monitor dissolved oxygen

Transfer to Force Aeration Pad

Unfavourable weather conditions (temperature inversion, low wind speed, wind blowing towards nearest sensitive receptor)

Accumulation of odour in the air, potentially detectable at sensitive receptors

• Close monitoring of weather conditions and scheduling accordingly

• Transfer when weather conditions improve, (usually wind picks up in the afternoon)

• 4-214 Wind Direction Monitoring & Activity Scheduling Procedure

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Force Aerated Windrow Composting

Over wetting of material before windrow formation

Anaerobic conditions within windrow

• Additional dry feedstock available on site

• Addition of dry feedstock finished compost to absorb excess moisture

• Turn immediately on windrow formation

• Override monitored force aeration and manually run air continuously

Extreme weather events involving excess rain


• Monitoring of weather forecast, and modifying irrigation regime when heavy rain is expected

• Override monitored force aeration and manually run air continuously

• Increase turn regime accordingly. & Turn without water application

Hardstand Windrow Maturation

Over wetting of material before windrow formation


• Run fans continuously for 24 hours prior to formation on the hardstand

• Turn without water application

• Addition of dry feedstock or finished compost to absorb excess moisture

• Turn immediately on windrow formation

Extreme weather events involving excess rain


• Monitoring of weather forecast when heavy rain is expected

• Increase turn regime accordingly.

Batching and Screening

Unusual weather conditions at the site such as extreme temperature inversion

Poor dispersion of earthy odour of mature compost

• Daily checking of weather forecast

• 4-214 Wind Direction Monitoring & Activity Scheduling Procedure

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Appendix F – Fire Risk Assessment and Management

PROCEDURE 4-311

Fire Risk Assessment Register & Control Plan

18th February 2019

Fire Risk Assessment Well-developed and well-communicated fire risk management ensures all stakeholders (including staff) at WRRF are aware of the fire hazards, the associated risk and controls implemented to reduce the risk of harm to human health and the environment from fire. There are three important elements to understand to implement this fire risk management framework:

1. Hazard is something that has the potential to cause harm or detriment to people or the environment.

2. Risk is the possibility of harm that could happen as a result of an event. The level of risk is influenced by two factors, consequence and likelihood: • Consequence is an outcome or impact of an event. • Likelihood is the probability of that outcome occurring.

3. A control is something which eliminates or reduces a hazard or risk. This includes equipment, work processes or monitoring systems.

Description

BACKGROUND Licence condition LI_WM4 of EPA licence number 13415 states “You must ensure that waste does not burn at the premises” Camperdown Compost Company stores and processes organic material and wood and therefore must meet the guideline, Management and storage of combustible recyclable and waste materials 1667-2 PURPOSE To meet the Company’s Fire Prevention Policy this risk assessment must be performed regularly and discussed at tool box and management meetings to ensure it is updated every two years. To prevent fire in waste stockpiles and product in process on site the Camperdown Compost Company has implemented a range of company procedures including this fire risk assessment, total fire ban policy, stockpile management and windrow management procedures which will require update or improvement to ensure the risk of fire is minimised and controls are in place to extinguish any fire occurring on the facility.

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The matrix below will be used to assign quantitative values to the likelihood of occurrence of

a particular fire risk and the consequence expected. The product of these two values

corresponds to a risk rating defined below.

Tables 1, 2 and 3 below describe the risk assessment criteria for this report.

Table 1: Likelihood Scale

Exposure Description Frequency

5 - Almost certain

Event will occur on a regular basis Several times a year or more often

4 - Likely Event has occurred several times on-site already

Several times per year

3 - Possible Event might occur on-site in the foreseeable future

Once every year

2 - Unlikely Event has occurred on other sites at some time

Once every 1 - 10 years

1 - Extremely Unlikely

Event may have occurred on another site Once every 10 - 100 years

Table 2: Consequence Scale

Severity Impact

5 – Severe Major long term damage, extending the spread of fire beyond company boundary and affecting the property and lives of the community

4 – Major Major short term effect extending the spread of fire beyond company boundary and affecting the property and lives of the community

3 – Moderate Impact largely confined to company boundary, addressed/cleaned-up by site staff or contractors

2 – Minor Impact confined to part of company boundary, addressed/cleaned-up by staff

1 - Negligible Contained to limited area of site, rapid clean-up/management

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Table 3: Risk Matrix

Likelihood

Consequence

Insignificant (1) Minor (2) Moderate (3) Extensive (4) Severe (5)

Almost certain (5)

5 10 15 20 25

Likely (4) 4 8 12 16 20

Possible (3) 3 6 9 12 15

Unlikely (2) 2 4 6 8 10

Extremely Unlikely (1)

1 2 3 4 5

Risk Assessment Scores

20-25 Emergency, unacceptable risk

10-19 High risk, senior management attention must be given

8-9 Implementation of strategies for regular monitoring by management

3-7 Monitor and implement control measures

1-2 Manageable by routine procedures

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Key Risk Factors and Advice

EPA Management and storage of combustible recyclable and waste materials – guideline

Particle Size

Temperature and Moisture level of Organic Stockpiles

Food organics and garden organics (FOGO) decompose through microbial and chemical

action, which can generate considerable heat. They will spontaneously combust when the

heat generated is higher than that lost to the surrounding environment.

Allowing a pile to get to an internal temperature of over 90 °C can trigger rapid self-heating

and eventual combustion. FOGO undergoing composting typically ignite between 150 °C and

200 °C.

Moisture content will also influence spontaneous combustion - low moisture levels will stop

biological activity (stopping self-heating), and high moisture levels will allow for evaporative

cooling of the pile. To reduce the risk of spontaneous combustion, organics storage (i.e. any

FOGO not being otherwise actively managed) should be kept below 70 °C and moisture

content should be maintained at either less than 20% OR more than 45% (Rynk, 2000).

Piles or windrows should not be opened up with machinery or turned in case of fire.

If smouldering fires are detected in CRWM storage (organic or otherwise), the introduction of oxygen (e.g. through turning the pile) may cause flames to develop. Suitable firefighting equipment should be set up and ready for use at the scene if turning combustible recycled waste matrial (CRWM) that is self-heating, or that you suspect is already smouldering.

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Sustainability Victoria - Guide to Biological Recovery of Organics 2018

Other factors which contribute to spontaneous combustion include:

• Pockets of dry material

• Significant proportions of bark, soil and leaves

• Large piles, which trap heat due to low surface area to volume ratio

• Limited pile aeration (to allow heat to escape) due to highly compacted material

• Prolonged storage of undisturbed piles, which enables excessive heat accumulation

To minimise fire risk:

• Smaller piles are preferred

• Prolonged storage of unprocessed organics should be avoided and stockpiles should be turned occasionally to provide ventilation

• Separation should be provided between piles to stop fires spreading and allow access for fire-fighting equipment

• Regular monitoring and inspection procedures should also be in place including testing the pile internal temperatures and moisture levels, and looking for signs of smouldering (hot gases, smoke).

It should be noted that steam arising from compost piles is normal but may be mistaken for smoke by members of the public so this should be considered in community engagement activities and communications.

Organics stockpiles are also prone to ignition from other sources including arson, lightning, discarded cigarettes, hot ashes in incoming loads, and heat or sparks from plant and equipment. Operational procedures and security measures (see below) should be designed to mitigate these risks.

Organics processing facilities should have plant and facilities on site to combat fires which may include:

• Fire hoses, hydrants, extinguishers and / or high capacity pumps

• Sufficient storage of fire-fighting water (tanks or ponds)

• Mobile plant to move and isolate burning material (e.g. front end loader or excavator)

• Staff trained safely respond to and contain a fire in its early stages

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Hazard Potential Causes

Initial Risk

Controls

Implemented

Post-control risk analysis

Control

Checks

Further Controls or Actions

Actions

Likelihood

Consequence

Likelihood

Consequence

Due Date

Completion Date

Receipts Stockpile

• Self-Combustion

• Ignition from external source

• Smouldering or high risk on arrival

Possible Major

• Daily Checklist inspection

• Receipts Inspection

• Stockpile size management

• Fire Fighting Equipment

Unlikely Moderat

e

• Visual Checks

Pasteurising Windrows

• Self-Combustion


Unlikely Moderate


• Moisture monitoring

• Temperature monitoring


Extremely

Unlikely Minor

• Temperature logs

• Moisture tests

Maturing Windrows

• Self-Combustion


Possible Moderate





Unlikely Minor


• Moisture tests

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Initial Risk

Controls

Implemented


Control

Checks


Actions

Likelihood

Consequence

Rating Likeli

hood

Consequence

Due Date

Completion Date

Screening Area • Self-Combustion


Likely Major






Possible Moderate


• Moisture tests

Aging Stockpile • Self-Combustion


Likely Major





• Fire Fighting equipment

Possible Moderat

e


• Moisture tests

Machinery

• Self-Combustion

• Oil / fuel fire

• Sparks from grinders/welders

Possible Moderate

• Daily Checklist

inspection


Unlikely Minor

• Daily Site checklist

•

General Site • Smoking Risk

• Ability to fight a fire outbreak

Unlikely Moderate

• No smoking on site

policy Unlikely Minor

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Initial Risk

Controls

Implemented


Control

Checks


Actions

Likeli

hood

Consequences

Likeli

hood

Consequences

Due Date

Completion Date

General Site • Fuel reduction on site

• Stockpiles

• Training fire fighting equipment & procedures

• Loader, Excavators Electric pump Seasonal fuel check & reduction

• Stockpile Management Procedures

• Stockpile minimisation

• Daily Operational checklist

External Fire • Bushfire spread

• Lightning strike Possible Extreme

• Daily Awareness SES APP on all phones

• Fuel reduction surrounding site

• Fire Fighting Equipment & Procedures

Unlikely Major

• Daily SES App check

• Total fire ban check

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POLICY 4-102

Fire Prevention Policy Thursday 14th February 2019

Performance outcomes for assessing the risk from fire

• Identifying all possible fire hazards and their potential causes at your site.

• Assessing the risks to human health and the environment from identified hazards.

• Meeting these outcomes involves:

• Ensuring that our documented hazard list is comprehensive and new hazards are added as they are identified.

• Understanding why the fire risks exists.

• Assessing the fire risks with consideration of the consequence and likelihood of the identified fire hazards.

Performance outcomes for controlling fire hazards and risk

• Identify appropriate controls to minimise the risk of harm from fire.

• Describe how the controls will be implemented and continuously improved.

Description

BACKGROUND Licence condition LI_WM4 of EPA licence number 13415 states “You must ensure that waste does not burn at the premises” Camperdown Compost Company stores and processes organic material and wood and therefore must meet the guideline, Management and storage of combustible recyclable and waste materials 1667-2 PURPOSE To prevent fire in waste stockpiles and product in process on site by following a range of company procedures including fire risk assessment, total fire ban policy, stockpile management and windrow management procedures

PROCEDURES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS POLICY WILL

• Outline a process for fire risk assessment

• Identify controls to prevent and mitigate fires at Camperdown Compost Company

• Sets out Combustible Recycled Waste Materials storage guidance

• Outline emergency management plan requirements for fires at Camperdown Compost

Company

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• Describe how controls will be checked for their effectiveness, any actions to improve your site’s risk management and how this process will be verified.

• Meeting these outcomes involves:

• Choosing and implementing controls based on their effectiveness in managing hazards and risks, practicality and feasibility.

• Assessing and documenting effectiveness of your selected controls.

• Re-evaluating the consequence and likelihood of the identified fire hazards, with consideration of how the implementation of controls are reducing the initial risk and what the remaining residual risk would be.

• Documenting implemented controls, measures of effectiveness and how these will be checked.

Performance outcomes for effective storage management

Arrange CRWM in a manner that

• Facilitates safe and efficient evacuation of occupants.

• Allows emergency vehicle access in and around the site.

• Allows emergency responder access to fire protection systems and equipment.

• Allows effective and safe fire-fighting operations.

• Limits the potential for fire spread between piles, to buildings or surrounding premises.

Meeting these outcomes involves

• Providing information on the site to the emergency services (e.g. inventory, location of storage).

• Ensuring site access points (including any rear access) are evident and unobstructed.

• Separation between piles, buildings, non-CRWM and surrounding premises.

• Separation between piles and other hazards onsite (e.g. hot works).

• Management of pile dimensions (heights, widths and lengths).

Nick Routson CEO Camperdown Compost Company

Updated by: Date: Next Review date:

Peter Harlock 14/02/2019 14/02/2019

Documents

EPA (Vic) Works Approval Application Appendices C - F ......Works Approval Application Appendices C - F August 2019 ... available amount of sunshine at any given time will be able