Overview
Landfill gas (LFG) technicians operate and optimize wellfields, headers and control equipment to capture methane and control odors/emissions. Daily work includes measuring vacuum/flow/temperature, tuning wells, maintaining flares/blowers/condensate systems, and performing surface emissions monitoring (SEM) to regulatory protocols.
This guide details systems, instrumentation, safety, pay and typical career progression.
🧩 System Components
Wellfield & Piping
- • Vertical wells with risers and laterals; wellheads with valves/gauges
- • Header piping (HDPE), condensate traps, sumps
- • Vacuum from blowers; flow balancing via valve adjustments
Control & Treatment
- • Blower/flare station: blower packages, flame arrestors, pilots/igniters
- • Moisture/condensate management; knock‑out pots; pumps
- • Gas conditioning/skids for engines or RNG (where applicable)
📊 Instrumentation & Tuning
- • Readings: vacuum (inches of water column), flow (scfm), temp (°F/°C), gas quality (CH₄/CO₂/O₂)
- • Tuning: open/close wellhead valves to balance gas quality vs air intrusion (O₂ threshold)
- • Condensate: ensure traps/sumps are draining; prevent flooded wells/headers
- • Data logging: route sheets, digital logs; trend analysis for field adjustments
🧪 SEM (Surface Emissions Monitoring)
- • Regulatory protocol (e.g., US NSPS SEM walk grids); OGI/FLIR where required
- • Triggered maintenance: cover seam repairs, penetrations, wellhead adjustments
- • Documentation: maps, readings, exceedance response and re‑monitoring
🦺 Safety Protocols & Training Requirements
⚠️ Critical Safety Alert
Landfill gas contains methane (explosive), carbon dioxide (asphyxiant), and trace amounts of hydrogen sulfide and other toxic compounds. LFG systems operate under vacuum, creating confined space hazards in vaults and sumps. Proper training, gas monitoring, and PPE are essential for survival.
Primary Hazards & Controls
Gas Hazards
- • Methane: LEL 5%, UEL 15% - explosion risk
- • CO₂: Displaces oxygen, causes asphyxiation
- • H₂S: Toxic at low concentrations (10 ppm TWA)
- • CO: Product of incomplete combustion
- • Control: Continuous 4-gas monitoring required
Physical Hazards
- • Uneven terrain and settlement
- • Heavy equipment operations
- • Extreme weather exposure
- • Electrical hazards (480V systems)
- • Burns from hot surfaces
- • Biological hazards (vectors)
Confined Spaces
- • Condensate sumps and vaults
- • Flare stacks during maintenance
- • Large diameter pipes
- • Requires entry permits
- • Attendant and rescue plan
Required Training & Certifications
Core Safety Training
OSHA 10-hourConfined Space EntryLOTO ProceduresFirst Aid/CPRFire ExtinguisherEmergency Response
Technical Training
Gas Detection/MonitoringSEM ProceduresWellfield OperationsBasic Electrical SafetyEquipment O&MData Management
Advanced Certifications
SWANA MOLOOGI ThermographerOSHA 30-hourIndustrial HygieneProject ManagementEnvironmental Compliance
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Standard PPE
- • 4-gas monitor (always on)
- • Safety glasses/goggles
- • Hard hat
- • Steel-toed boots
- • High-visibility vest
- • Work gloves
Task-Specific PPE
- • FR clothing (near flares)
- • Face shield (chemical handling)
- • Respirator (H2S areas)
- • Fall protection harness
- • Hearing protection
- • Cut-resistant gloves
Emergency Equipment
- • Escape respirator
- • Emergency eyewash
- • First aid kit
- • Fire extinguisher
- • Emergency radio/phone
- • Windsock locations
💰 Pay & Career Path
Pay (Guide)
- • USA: $22–$36/hr
- • Canada: C$24–C$40/hr
- • UK: £12–£20/hr
Progression
- • Tech → Lead → Supervisor → Project Manager
- • Specialize: SEM/OGI lead, flare/O&M, RNG conditioning
Employers
- • Landfill owners/operators (WM, Republic, Waste Connections, GFL)
- • Specialty LFG contractors and consultants
❓
LFG Technician: FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about this topic
Gas meter (CH₄, CO₂, O₂), flow/pressure gauge capability, infrared thermometer, SEM/OGI equipment per site protocol.
Weekly to monthly depending on site conditions, gas quality and regulatory/contract performance targets.
Flooded wells/headers, air intrusion (O₂ spikes), frozen/blocked condensate lines, pilot/igniter faults, vacuum loss.