Environmental Health, Safety and Waste Management
What the exam tests
This domain tests workshop environmental responsibility, hazardous-waste segregation, safe storage, spill control, occupational health and legal disposal routes.
Core rules
- Segregate waste at source: used oil, oil filters, batteries, coolant, solvents, tyres and metal scrap must not be mixed.
- Store used oil in labelled, closed containers on a bunded pallet away from drains. Never pour oil, coolant or solvent into a drain or onto soil.
- Batteries contain lead and acid; store upright, protect terminals and send to an authorised recycler. Tyres and filters also need licensed disposal.
- Control dust, noise and fumes with extraction, wet methods, guards and PPE. Use hearing protection around air tools and grinders.
- Keep spill kits available and train staff to contain, absorb and label spills.
Worked example
During an oil change, used oil is drained into a dedicated tray, poured into a labelled waste-oil drum and recorded. The filter is drained, placed in a separate filter container, and the spill is wiped with absorbent. Reasoning: mixing oil with solvent makes recycling harder; pouring oil into a drain pollutes water and may be illegal. The drum goes to an authorised recycler.
Traps that cost marks
Burning waste oil or tyres, mixing hazardous waste, storing batteries on bare ground, blocking drains with rags, and skipping PPE when handling coolant or solvent.