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3.2 HAZWOPER: Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response
HAZWOPER is the OSHA standard for protecting workers who deal with hazardous wastes, clean up contaminated sites or respond to releases of hazardous substances. Its aim is to prevent injuries and deaths from those operations.
Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Clean-up operation | Work in which hazardous substances are removed, contained, burned, neutralised or otherwise handled to make a site safer for people and the environment. |
| Decontamination | Removing hazardous substances from workers and equipment as far as needed to prevent foreseeable harm. |
| Emergency response | A response by people from outside the immediate release area, or by designated responders, to an uncontrolled release or a likely one. |
| Post emergency response | Response after the immediate threat is stable, when clean up has begun. |
| IDLH | An atmosphere that is immediately dangerous to life or health: a toxic, corrosive or asphyxiant concentration that threatens life or prevents escape. |
| Oxygen deficiency | Less than 19.5 percent oxygen by volume. Atmosphere supplying respirators are needed. |
| Qualified person | Someone with specific training, knowledge and experience for the area, and the authority to control it. |
The employer's safety and health program
The employer must develop and carry out a written safety and health program for employees, contractors and subcontractors who work on hazardous waste operations, including emergency response procedures. It must include hazard communication, which covers physical hazards such as explosive and flammable materials and health hazards, acute and chronic. The employer must also look for new technologies that raise the level of protection.
Site characterisation and analysis
A site must be evaluated before and after work begins, so that the right controls are chosen.
- Preliminary evaluation. A qualified person evaluates the site before workers enter, to make sure that the protective measures are adequate.
- Hazard identification. The preliminary survey must identify all conditions that pose inhalation or skin absorption hazards, IDLH conditions, or other conditions that may cause death. A detailed survey follows.
- Risk identification. If hazardous substances are present, risk identification is required.
- Training. All workers and supervisors exposed to hazardous substances, health hazards or safety hazards must be trained.
Medical surveillance
The employer must provide medical surveillance to:
- workers who are or may be exposed to hazardous substances above the permissible or published exposure limit, without regard to respirators, for 30 days or more a year
- workers who wear a respirator for 30 days or more a year
- workers who are injured, become ill or develop symptoms of overexposure during an emergency response or hazardous waste operation
- members of hazardous materials (HAZMAT) teams
Examinations and consultations are given before assignment, at least once every twelve months unless the physician sets a longer interval of no more than two years, at termination or reassignment if there has not been an examination in the last six months, and as soon as possible after symptoms of overexposure or an injury. Records include the employee's identification, the physician's written opinion and recommended limitations, results of tests and any complaints about exposure.
PPE, monitoring and decontamination
PPE is chosen from the results of the preliminary evaluation so that workers are protected from the hazards likely to be present. Continuous monitoring shows the levels of hazardous substances and supports the choice of engineering controls, work practices and PPE. A decontamination procedure must be developed and explained to workers before anyone enters an area where exposure is possible, and decontamination should take place where it is least likely to expose clean people or equipment.
The emergency response plan
The employer must have an emergency response plan, and rehearse it as part of site training. It is reviewed regularly and changed when needed. It includes:
- pre-emergency planning
- roles, lines of authority, training and communications
- recognition of emergencies and prevention
- safe distances and places of refuge
- site security and control
- evacuation routes and procedures
- decontamination procedures not covered by the site plan
- emergency medical treatment and first aid
- alerting and response procedures
- critique of the response and follow up
- PPE and emergency equipment
A study aid, not published or endorsed by IOSH or OSHA. Laws and limits differ between countries.