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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 –
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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
R4 2.5 Km Medium (Residential) E
R5 2.7 Km Low (vacant farm cottage) E
R6 2.7 Km Medium (Residential) 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
Mature product “earthy” odour character. Very limited odour
Fugitive emissions from storage piles
• Limits on the volume of mature product which can be stored on-site
Dispatch Product dispatch Mature compost Fugitive
Mature product “earthy” odour character. Very limited odour
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
Uncontrolled breakdown of this residual feedstock, potential odour annoyance
• 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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Location of Emission
Circumstance which may lead to excess emission
Consequence Measures in place prevent or
reduce consequence Actions to be taken
Gradual accumulation of feedstock on pads
Uncontrolled breakdown of this residual feedstock, potential odour annoyance
• 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
Uncontrolled breakdown of this residual feedstock, potential odour annoyance
• 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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Location of Emission
Circumstance which may lead to excess emission
Consequence Measures in place prevent or
reduce consequence Actions to be taken
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
Anaerobic conditions within windrow
• 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
Anaerobic conditions within windrow
• 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
Anaerobic conditions within windrow
• 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
• Ignition from external source
Unlikely Moderate
• Daily Checklist inspection
• Moisture monitoring
• Temperature monitoring
• Fire Fighting Equipment
Extremely
Unlikely Minor
• Temperature logs
• Moisture tests
Maturing Windrows
• Self-Combustion
• Ignition from external source
Possible Moderate
• Daily Checklist inspection
• Moisture monitoring
• Temperature monitoring
• Fire Fighting Equipment
Unlikely Minor
• Temperature logs
• Moisture tests
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Hazard Potential Causes
Initial Risk
Controls
Implemented
Post-control risk analysis
Control
Checks
Further Controls or Actions
Actions
Likelihood
Consequence
Rating Likeli
hood
Consequence
Due Date
Completion Date
Screening Area • Self-Combustion
• Ignition from external source
Likely Major
• Daily Checklist inspection
• Moisture monitoring
• Temperature monitoring
• Stockpile size management
• Fire Fighting Equipment
Possible Moderate
• Temperature logs
• Moisture tests
Aging Stockpile • Self-Combustion
• Ignition from external source
Likely Major
• Daily Checklist inspection
• Moisture monitoring
• Temperature monitoring
• Stockpile size management
• Fire Fighting equipment
Possible Moderat
e
• Temperature logs
• Moisture tests
Machinery
• Self-Combustion
• Oil / fuel fire
• Sparks from grinders/welders
Possible Moderate
• Daily Checklist
inspection
• Fire Fighting Equipment
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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Hazard Potential Causes
Initial Risk
Controls
Implemented
Post-control risk analysis
Control
Checks
Further Controls or Actions
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