Field Applications of Health and Safety

Field Applications of Health and Safety

4 - Ten Hour Days

Day 1

Introduction, Preparation, and Objectives

As an introduction to the course, the instructors will be introduced, objectives reviewed, and course particulars addressed.

The Role of OSHA and Other Agencies

The regulations and guidelines which affect hazardous waste operations and hazmat responses will be introduced. The presentation will include EPA and OSHA regulations.

The OSHA Standard and Health and Safety

The concept of health and safety planning will be explained as it applies to the OSHA Standard. A video entitled "Hazardous Waste Safety" produced by Business and Legal Reports will introduce the many topics which will be covered in this course.

Labels, Hazard Warnings and Identification

This presentation will identify the general types of hazards in the field. In particular, the term "hazardous" will be defined and compared to degree of hazard and risk of exposure. Hazard warning systems including USDOT labels and placards and the NFPA labeling standard will be described.

Health Hazards, Risks and Reality

In this section the specific types of health hazards will be identified and explained. The difference between acute and chronic effects will be clarified with examples. The factors which influence the risk of adverse health effects are also covered here.

Respiratory Protection & Published Exposure Levels

To better understand the necessity for the proper use of respirators it is important to be aware of the hazards which can enter the body by inhalation. The function and defenses of the lungs will be discussed followed by the description of respiratory hazards. Published Exposure Level Guides for evaluating respiratory hazards including PELs, TLVs and RELs will be introduced.

Introduction to Respirators and Their Limitations

The different types of respirators will be described in relation to their proper applications. Atmosphere supplying and air purifying respirators will be introduced. Special attention will be paid to identifying the key limitations to their use in situations common to course participants.

Breathing Apparatus

An instructor will demonstrate the proper methods for check-out, donning and doffing the SCBA. The participants will then check out their SCBA and don it according to the instructions given. When all have donned the SCBAs, the group will proceed to an exercise area where they will complete a number of tasks. The object of this activity is to allow the participants to become adjusted to wearing the SCBA.

Levels of Protection, PPE and Other Controls

It is in this section that the methods of control available to protect workers are identified. The EPA Levels of Protection are described. Examples of situations requiring specific protection will be provided. The importance of limiting exposure and maintaining safe distances in addition to the use of personal protective equipment is stressed.

Hazard Analysis

It is important to review the information presented during the day. To be sure that all points discussed are understood, the participants will consider ten situations related to the topics presented. Their recommendations will be discussed as a class. This exercise will also serve as a platform for the introduction of upcoming topics.

Day 2

Respiratory Protection and Breathing Apparatus

The safe use of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) requires a solid understanding of its operation and its limitations. The difference between open-circuit and closed-circuit devices will be discussed as well as demand and pressure demand operation of atmosphere-supplying devices. Other types of devices including the pressure-demand airline and escape breathing apparatus will be described as well. A suggested SCBA check out procedure will be demonstrated.

Respiratory Protection & Air Purifying Respirators

The use of air-purifying respirators (APRs) is acceptable only when the conditions are appropriate. There are several limitations which must be evaluated when using APRs including warning properties, protection factors, cartridge efficiency and maximum use concentrations..

Skin Protection and Chemical Protective Clothing

In this presentation, the structure, function and protection of the skin will be reviewed. The hazards which can affect the skin or enter the body through the skin will be identified. In this discussion the concepts of permeation, penetration, and degradation will be explained along with the use of available permeation and degradation guides. The different types of CPC material and garments will be considered for their applicability to different hazards. Examples of CPC will be displayed for the participants.

Chemical Properties and Behavior

Basic chemical properties will be defined in relationship to their behavior in the field. Included will be vapor pressure, vapor density, solubility, and other properties associated with fire hazards. An understanding of these properties is essential to hazard recognition and evaluation.

Medical Considerations and Health Hazards

The health of response personnel involves pre-planning as well as preparation for unexpected accidents and injuries. During this presentation topics such as medical surveillance, heat stress and emergency first aid needs will be discussed. It is not intended to replace Red Cross First Aid training.

Reactivity, Explosives and Radiation

The hazards of radioactive materials will be presented with information regarding occupational exposure limits.. The video "An Introduction to Reactive and Explosive Hazards" will be presented after the radiation presentation. The video presents actual demonstrations of unstable chemical reactions and explosions.

PPE Display

As a follow-up to the lecture presentation, a display of various types of chemical protective clothing and respirators will be shown. Different types of protective materials and PPE features will be discussed. Examples will be passed around the class.

Hazard Evaluation

The participants will be asked to collect information from available references concerning a specific hazardous substance. Special attention will be paid to accuracy and completeness of reference information. They will evaluate the data and answer several questions concerning degree of hazard and the risks involved with working with the substance. The problem will be discussed in class.

Information, References and Resources

A variety of information necessary for the evaluation of hazards has been presented in previous presentations. The most applicable books and on-line data bases available for information gathering will be described here. How the information is collected and recorded will be discussed in this presentation.

Day 3

Air Monitoring and Site Evaluation

In many responses, identity and number of hazardous substances is unknown. Air monitoring is used to assist in gathering information used to evaluate the situation. Action guidelines from the EPA Standard Operating Safety Guides will be used as a basis for evaluation of these hazards. The discussion will deal with operation, data interpretation, and limitations in field use of Detector Tubes, Radiation Survey Meters, HNu Photoionizer, and the Organic Vapor Analyzer.

Flammable Hazards and Combustible Gas Indicators

Protective clothing and respirators will not protect the responder against flammable and explosive hazards. Consequently, it is imperative that these hazards be recognized immediately. A description of the devices used to recognize these hazards will be followed by an explanation of their operation. The evaluation of information obtained from such devices will be covered. Oxygen deficiency and instruments used to assess oxygen concentration will also be addressed in this time period.

Site Control and Organization

The key measures for maintaining site control will be identified in this section. The work zones as defined by EPA will be reviewed along with the components of a Site Control Program. How the Site Control Program fits into the site safety and health plan will be explained.

Contamination Reduction Measures

To prevent accidental exposure to hazardous materials during the removal of protective gear it is necessary to accomplish some degree of contaminant removal. Different decontamination (contamination reduction) procedures will be discussed including those recommended in the EPA Standard Operating Safety Guides. A short videotape will be shown illustrating EPA and actual procedures in use.

Container Handling and Safe Work Practices

This discussion centers on the types of activities that the participants are likely to encounter including confined space entry, container and materials handling, heavy equipment and other remedial investigation and construction activities. Engineering controls and other safe work practices employed to control hazards will be covered.

Safety Planning, Roles and Responsibilities

A safe response requires planning. The discussion will focus on how to plan a response. Elements to be included are contingencies for emergency situations, site security, team organization, site entry considerations and safety concerns. The EPA Video "Investigation of the Denny Farm Site" will be shown as an illustration of site safety planning.

Hazard Evaluation and Hazard Analysis Review

Time is set aside for completion of the two exercises. A discussion of each exercise is facilitated by the instructor.

Day 4

Air Monitoring Methods

During this time period, the participants will be given the opportunity to operate the instruments described in earlier lectures. Instruments to be used in the lab include oxygen meters, combustible gas indicators, colorimetric indicator tubes, radiation meters and HNu Photoionizers. Samples will be tested and evaluated. The participants will be responsible for answering questions concerning instrument operation and data interpretation.

Planning and Preparation

The participants will be given a scenario involving a hazardous materials investigation and clean-up. The participants will form a response team and develop a contingency plan, safety plan, and a plan of action. The information developed will be discussed as a summary of the course.

Decontamination Set-Up

Using the team decon plans, a decon line will be set-up. Pros and cons will be addressed. The procedure will be altered based on the comments. The final procedure may be used in the field mobilization exercise.

PPE Use and Fit

Proper methods for donning Level C gear will be shown. Emphasis will be placed on taping and donning gear for comfort and flexibility. Proper check out and donning of APRs will be demonstrated.

Field Mobilization

This is an extensive exercise where the participants will work in the field wearing protective clothing and respirators. Besides wearing the PPE, there will be additional objectives including air monitoring, hazard recognition, and site characterization. The primary objective of this exercise is to give participants the opportunity to experience using the personal protective equipment in a simulated work environment.

Site Characterization

This problem is meant to tie together information on hazard recognition, air monitoring and action levels. It has been developed to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the instruments as it applies to site characterization.

Debriefing and Course Closure

The objective of this final activity is to review the information and applications covered during the five days of instruction. The field exercise will serve as the basis for the discussion. A final exam gauging participant understanding may be included.