HAZWOPER Overview
HAZWOPER is an OSHA regulation that seeks to protect workers involved in hazardous waste operations, emergency response and cleanup operations that involve hazardous substances. It is established by SARA (Superfund Amendments Reauthorization Act) of 1986, and its provisions require employers to follow certain work protocols as well as properly train their emergency response and cleanup workers so they can act appropriately and safely during an unexpected release of hazardous substances. Exposure to these substances can lead to acute and chronic health effects such as irritation, sensitization, chemical burns and even death in some cases. Illnesses resulting from exposure must be prevented from happening through the implementation of HAZWOPER standards. OSHA has the responsibility of ensuring workplace safety for the safety of employees by setting and enforcing standards, education outreach programs and providing compliance assistance when needed. Employers are responsible for providing a safe environment for their employees under OSHA’s law.
Some of the Topics Covered in 360training 40-Hour HAZWOPER Training
Safety Data Sheet
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a document used to provide information about the hazards of working with chemicals, specifically for workplace safety. This sheet has been standardized under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling Chemicals system to ensure consistent criteria for evaluating chemical hazard levels. SDSs include the GHS H-codes and their associated hazard statements; if this information is not present, it can be translated from the given hazard statement. Government regulations require employers to obtain an SDS for each hazardous substance the employee or person uses or stores in their research or teaching laboratory and make it accessible. The PI/instructor is responsible for ensuring that everyone in the laboratory understands how to handle these substances by training them on the SDSs; signed training records must be kept on hand as proof of education.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is any clothing, accessory, or device that protects workers from workplace hazards. Common types of PPE include safety glasses and shoes, hard hats, respirators, coveralls, vests, and full body suits. To ensure proper use of PPE and ensure workers are properly protected from hazards in the workplace, employers must provide their employees with the necessary PPE and ensure it is used properly. Employers must also instruct employees on when to use PPE, what type of PPE to use, how to put it on, adjust it properly while wearing it and take if off safely. Employees should be informed of the limitations of the equipment as well as proper care and maintenance instructions for optimal safety protection. A comprehensive PPE program should be implemented which includes hazard detection protocols; selection of appropriate protective gear; training employees; monitoring program’s effectiveness; and ensuring proper use of PPE at all times in the workplace.
Confined Spaces
Confined spaces are areas which, while not necessarily designed for people, are large enough for humans to enter and perform certain tasks in. They possess restricted or limited means of entry and exit, and they are not intended for continuous occupancy. Confined spaces can include tanks, vessels, silos, vaults, manholes, tunnels, pipelines, and other storage bins. OSHA refers to such confined spaces as “permit-required confined spaces” if they contain hazardous atmospheres or have the potential to engulf an entrant with materials inside them. Additionally, these areas may also have unguarded machinery, exposed live wires or heat stress which all pose additional hazards.
Bloodborne Pathogens
Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that can cause disease in humans if transmitted through contact with infected human blood or body fluids. Examples of these pathogens include hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). To protect workers from exposure to such risks, employers must implement an exposure control plan which includes engineering and work practice controls, personal protective clothing and equipment, employee training, medical surveillance, hepatitis B vaccines and other provisions as required by OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. Engineering controls refer to the use of safer medical devices such as needleless syringes or shielded needles which reduce the risk of infection significantly.
Safe Work Practices
Safe work practices (SWP) consist of processes and protocols that are developed to maximize safety in the workplace. They are based on hazard assessment and standards in the industry, aiming to protect workers from potential risks. An example of SWP is placing a sign that reads ‘mind your steps’ at the beginning of a staircase. Other key elements of effective SWP include induction training for new employees, communication and teamwork training in emergency situations, fire safety training, hazard identification training, use of personal protection equipment (PPE), ergonomic assessment as well as policies and procedures to set agreed-upon actions and reactions. Additionally, important procedures such as tool maintenance, proper handling, and storage of hazardous materials as well as housekeeping should adhere to environmental health standards.
Respiratory Protection
The OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard is set in place to protect millions of workers from being exposed to unsafe environments. Respirators are used to protect against oxygen deprived settings, dust, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays which can potentially cause severe physical harm such as lung impairment or death. There are two main types of respirators: one that filters out dangerous contaminants in the air and another that supplies clean air from another source. These respirators could save numerous lives yearly if everyone abides by the established standards.
Decontamination
Decontamination is a vital process that has the purpose of eliminating any contaminants from people, equipment, and the surrounding environment at hazardous waste sites. It safeguards workers from hazardous materials that may accumulate on their protective clothing or respiratory gear. Decontamination also helps to stop incompatible chemicals from mixing and prevent transportation of hazardous material out of the contaminated area. Most importantly, it protects everyone on site by curtailing the spread of any toxins.
Medical Surveillance
Medical screening and medical surveillance are commonly used interchangeably, but they are distinct from each other. Medical screening is a clinical process focused on identifying potential issues in an individual for early diagnosis and treatment. Medical surveillance, on the other hand, is more prevention-focused; it looks to detect and eliminate hazards or exposures detected based on trends discovered in workplace health and safety programs. OSHA’s medical surveillance requirements generally follow a clinical approach such as gathering information through medical histories, physical assessments, and biological tests, all of which are key elements of the monitoring and analysis component of medical vigilance.
Site Characterization
Site characterization is the process of assessing the environmental characteristics and issues of a particular site. It involves acquiring an understanding of existing and potential contamination levels, development regulations, emergency scenarios, existing hazards, and security measures. As part of this characterization, various procedures are put in place including creating a site map, prepping the site for required activities, designating, and establishing work zones, implementing a buddy system for safe operation within a given area or zone, creating & enforcing decontamination methods for personnel and equipment, setting up security measures & communication networks and ensuring adherence to safe work practices both on-site & off-site.
Material Sampling
Material sampling is a process that allows occupational health and safety professionals to analyze workplace contaminants and associated worker exposures. Proper sample collection procedures are essential for making accurate assessments and must be tailored to the individual conditions of the workplace. Appropriate data analysis techniques should also be employed in order to arrive at meaningful conclusions from the sampling process. With these considerations in mind, experienced professionals can use their judgment to develop effective materials sampling protocols.
FAQS
How Does Taking 40-Hour HAZWOPER Training With 360training Work?
360training offers an online 40-Hour HAZWOPER course that covers all the necessary topics for a safe and compliant hazardous waste operation. The topics covered in the course include: site characterization, hazards of chemicals, radiation hazards, personal protective equipment (PPE), decontamination methods, best practices for responding to emergencies involving hazardous waste and compliance with OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.120(e)(3) standards. Additionally, the course also reviews the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), ensuring you are up-to-date with OSHA’s 2013 amendments to its Hazardous Communication Standard.
Who needs to complete HAZWOPER 40-Hour training online?
If you work in an environment that exposes you (or could potentially expose you) to hazardous wastes and substances, then this training course is a must. Specifically, emergency responders or those who store, clean, treat, or dispose of hazardous materials are required to take this course. Additionally, certain safety standards may also require you to take 24-Hour or 8-Hour refresher courses.
How do You Get a 40-hour HAZWOPER 360training Certificate?
To get your 40-hour HAZWOPER certification, you must complete a comprehensive forty-hour training course. This course covers topics such as hazardous waste recognition, safety precautions for working in hazardous areas, emergency response strategies and much more. Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive your Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) certificate!
