Rule 391-3-4-.18 - Operator Certification(1) Applicability: this Rule applies to all operators of municipal solid waste landfills, municipal solid waste thermal treatment technology facilities, and employees of the Department of Natural Resources who inspect these facilities. (a) No person shall perform the duties of a municipal solid waste disposal facility operator without being duly certified under this Rule.(b) No municipal solid waste disposal facility shall be operated in Georgia unless the operator is certified under this Rule.(c) All inspectors of municipal solid waste disposal facilities shall be certified to inspect the same.(2) Certificates: (a) Any certificate granted under this Section shall be renewable every five years.(b) The Division shall approve all examinations and courses to be used in determining the knowledge, ability, and judgment of applicants for certification under this Rule. Such courses and examinations shall be given at least twice annually.(c) A Certified Landfill Operator or Inspector must meet the following minimum qualifications: 1. Graduate of high school or an accredited GED program, and have worked at a landfill in Georgia for at least six months. Prior to July 1, 1994, persons who lack the required high school or GED preparation and possess an equivalent level of math and literacy skills, may substitute five years experience as a landfill operator or manager in Georgia for the required high school or GED program; or2. To conduct landfill inspections, be employed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and required by their job descriptions to conduct landfill inspections; and3. Must have successfully completed the Landfill Certification Training Course and examination endorsed by the Division.(d) Upon application, a certificate may be issued without examination, in a comparable classification, to any person who holds a certificate in any state, territory, or possession of the United States or any country, provided that the requirements for certification of operators under which the person's certificate was issued do not conflict with this Rule and are of a standard not lower than that specified by this Rule; and provided further that reciprocal privileges are granted to certified operators of this State.(e) The Director may investigate the actions of any operator and may revoke or suspend the certificate of an operator, following a hearing conducted in accordance with Chapter 13 of Title 50, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act", when it is found that the operator has practiced fraud or deception; that reasonable care, judgment, or the application of his knowledge or ability was not used in the performance of his duties; or that the operator is incompetent or unable to perform his duties properly.(f) The Director shall include, as a condition in a permit issued, a requirement that the municipal solid waste disposal facility operator be duly certified in accordance with this Rule.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-3-4-.18
O.C.G.A. §§ 12-8-20 et seq., 12-8-23.
Original Rule entitled "Sanitary Landfill Operator Certification" was F. Jun. 9, 1989; eff. Jun. 29, 1989.Amended: Rule retitled "Operator Certification." F. Sept. 4, 1991; eff. Sept. 24, 1991.Amended: F. Jun. 7, 1993, eff. Jun. 27, 1993.Amended: F. Mar. 8, 2018; eff. Mar. 28, 2018.