1. Commission on Health & Safety & Workers' Comp

Rio Hondo College
3600 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601-1699
(310) 692-0921

ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY

Certificate Program
Environmental Technology refers to the knowledge and skills that allow a person to work with hazardous substances in compliance with governmental regulations and at the same time protect human health and the environment . The ET Certificate is designed to either prepare students or upgrade working individuals with technician-level skills.

Cooperative Work Experience Education
Student educational opportunities are extended beyond the classroom setting in the Cooperative Work Experience Education Program. Academic units are granted to students for work with employers who have been approved by the college. The employment must relate to the student's educational and/or vocational objectives. Discipline specific cooperative work experience courses are currently being developed by this program. Please see program office for specific details.

Course Descriptions:

Introduction to Environmental Hazardous Materials Technology
EHMT 101 (3 units)
This course is designed to give the student a general overview of the environmental hazardous materials technology area. The history of pollution leading to current legislation, environmental effects of pollution, and an oveview or the regulatory framework will be presented. Career opportunities in the areas of handling and management of hazardous substances will be discussed.

Lecture 3 hours

Hazardous Waste Generation/Reduction/Treatment
EHMT 110 (3 units)
This course is a study of industrial process and their generation of waste streams in seven selected industries: electroplating, metal finishing and printed circuit board production, general manufacturing, printing and graphic reproduction, agriculture and consumer services. The course will center on various raw materials and chemicals used in industry, examining the changes that occur as they move through the industrial process, and understanding the material balance concept of inventory. Throughout the course , discussion of applicable regulations will be included , and the importance of waste minimization/treatment concepts will be stressed. Home hazardous waste generation and reduction will also be considered.
Lecture 3 hours

Health Effects of Hazardous Materials
EHMT 130 (3 units)
This course covers the acute and chronic health effects produced by exposure to chemical, physical, and biological agents. Emphasis will be on those hazardous materials commonly assosiated with industrial operations, waste disposal and remediation sites. Topics will include routes of entry, toxic effects, risk evaluation, permissible exposure limits, medical surveillance, control methods for reducing exposure, and understanding an MSDS.
Lecture 3 hours

Hazardous Waste Management
EHMT 150 (4 units)
This course provides an overview of hazardous waste regulation with emphasis on generator compliance, site investigation and remediation, permitting, inforcement, and liability. The lecture portion of the course explains the hazardous waste regulatory fra mework, intriduces the student to the wide variety and types of environmental resources available, and develops research skills in hazardous waste area. The laboratory portion of the course compliments the lectures by providing "hands on" application of the regulations at the technician level. Proper methods of preparing a hazardous waste manifest, labeling of storage containers, sampling and analysis, preparing a Phase I Environmental Audit, and selecting environmental consultants are among the many skills developed in the laboratory.
Lecture 3 hours; Laboratory 3 hours

Hazardous Materials Management Applications
EHMT 200 (4 units)
A study of the requirements and applications of federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to hazardous materials. The course will emphasize compliance with Department of Transportation, OSHA Hazard Communication, SARA Title III Right-to-know, Underground Tank, Asbestos, Preposition 65, ans Air Toxics Regulations. The lecture portion of the course will provide the student with an understanding of the legal framework of hazardous materials laws; the laboratory portion will focus on application of these laws, such as: proper labeling, interpreting MSDS's; permitting and monitoring functions, as well as planning and reporting functions.
Lecture 3 hours, Laboratory 3 hours

Safety and Emergency Response
EHMT 230 (4 units)
This course is designed to provide students with hands-on instruction in safety and emergency response to chemical and physical exposures in industrial and field settings. Topics include: hazard analysis, contingency planning, housekeeping and safety practices including proper use and selection of personal protective equipment, site control and evaluation, handling drums and containers, field sampling and monitoring, proper use of instruments, incident response planning, emergency response including field exercises in the use of Powered Air-Purifying Raspirator and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, and an understanding of the Incident Command System. This course satisfies the requirements for generalized employee training under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (29 CFR1910.120)
Lecture 3 hours; Laboratory 3 hours