improving hazardous waste management compliance using relational databases angela cox and larry...
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IMPROVING HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPLIANCE
USINGRELATIONAL DATABASES
Angela Cox and Larry Reynolds
Presentation Contents Brief Explanation of What a Database Is and Is Not
Ways a Relational Database Can be Used
User Interface Choices
How to Plan a Simple Waste Management Database
Typical Effort and Cost Requirements
Technology Growth
A Database Is Not
A place to store things
A collection of information
A substitute for sound management
A guarantee of success
What A Database Is
An organization of information you will need to retrieve for use later
Means to recover information when you need it arranged, organized and summarized in a useful fashion
A way to structure your work
Database vs. Sequential (and other) Databases
Typical Database –
Rainfall data for each day
Number of units produced each shift
Number of employees absent each day
These are examples of typical sequential databases.
Database vs. Sequential (and other) Databases
In manufacturing, they are related in various fashions – The number of employees absent from key production areas is related to the number of units produced in a day. The number of absences may also be related to such things as rainfall, etc.
Database vs. Sequential (and other) Databases
Other Examples of Relational Databases –
Address Book vs. Contact Information Manager
Contact Manager
Contact Manager
Database vs. Sequential (and other) Databases
Other Examples of Relational Databases –
Address Book vs. Contact Information Manager
Inventory and Distribution Control Systems
Database vs. Sequential (and other) Databases
Most environmental compliance data has many relationships –
Regulatory program
Permit requirements
Data/reporting period
Manufacturing production rate or activity
Physical location
Database vs. Sequential (and other) Databases
Most Environmental Compliance data, particularly waste management data have many inter-relationships with other activities
A Relational Database allows the connection of these activities and programs
Ways a Relational Database Can Be Used in Waste Management
To Organize Your Facility Specific Regulatory Requirements
To Record and Track Compliance Activities
As a Management Tool To monitor and summarize regulatory activities
To report compliance data in the form or frame work you need
Quality Assurance (e.g. much like ISO procedures)
Ways a Relational Database Can Be Used in Waste Management
As a Compliance Tool
Using same/similar reports for regulatory compliance reporting
As a Business Tool
Schedule work based on past history, current inventory, etc.
Sort, Categorize, Track key information
Support Basic Decision Making
How to Plan A Waste Management Database
Questions to Answer – What do you wish to do with it?
What information, reports, etc. do you wish to derive from it?
What information is needed to do these things?
How is that information to be captured?
How secure must your information be?
What user interface do you want?
User Interface
Single vs. Multi-User
Stand Alone Work Station, LAN accessible or Web accessible
Simple Waste Management Database
Want to –
Track hazardous waste generation
Determine Generator Status each month
Single User on Stand Alone Work Station connected to Local Area Network
Data will ultimately be in the public record
Simple Waste Management Database
Information Requirements
Basic Facility Information – address, contact name and phone number, etc.
Generator ID number
Waste Stream Information – from waste stream survey, characterization, profile application, …
Transporter Information
TSDF Information
Simple Waste Management Database
Waste Generation Records – Date of generation, quantity, plant operating records
Waste Shipment Records – Manifests
Reporting Requirements – State reporting requirements
Required Effort
60% + of effort will be in initial setup and ongoing data capture
In-House vs. Outside consultant for application development is a critical decision
User Interface significant cost factor
Cost
Initial Set up -- $50k to ?
Application Development Single User/Stand Alone Work Station -- $10k to $15k
Multi-User via Local Area Network -- $25k
Multi-Facility/Multi-User via Web Interface -- $75k - $125k
Technological Improvements
Point of Service Ports – available computers and network access
Hand Held PCs – IR/Bluetooth data upload capabilities
Bar Code/UPC Scanners
Radio Frequency Identification
USE OF RELATIONAL DATABASES IN WASTE MANAGEMENT
Questions?