As a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) and a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) I often make recommendations to our “General Industry” clients in an effort to lift their game with dealing with hazardous waste. There are multiple layers of compliance issues related to hazardous waste handling, and, as with most regulations, a little education (TRAINING!!) goes a long way in understanding the game plan! The intention of this blog is to provide a brief discussion of the key regulations and their associated training requirements.
when I am asked for my thoughts on whether to attend an on-line or instructor-led HazWOPER training class, my immediate response is clear! It is CRITICAL to actually learn what is taught in these classes not just fulfill the OSHA requirement. Why? These workers will be working on a HAZARDOUS WASTE SITE, and the knowledge learned in a HazWOPER class allows them to appropriately protect themselves. Learn more about Instructor Led HazWOPER training!
As a facility, are you tracking your toxic chemicals and filing the appropriate NJ PPA documentation? Facilities must account for their use of toxic chemicals and, where feasible, reduce their use. Toxic pollution that cannot be reduced should be recycled, and pollution that cannot be recycled should be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner. Guest blogger, Charles Peruffo, reviews the requirements and process of filing under the New Jersey Pollution Prevention Act.
Have you been properly trained to use your respirator and fit-tested to make sure it is actually stopping hazards from reaching your lungs?Are you confident that you are using your respirator properly and that the respirator that you have selected is the best for the contaminants you are exposed to? How about the person next to you – are they in compliance? Learn why compliance with respirator regulations is good for you and your lungs.
Dian Cucchisi, PhD, CHMM
Environmental Health and Safety Professionals are often faced with questions that do not seem to have black and white answers, but, in reality, regulatory requirements are not that gray. A common question: When do the requirements for 29 CFR 1910.120 and 29 CFR 1926.65 (OSHA’s Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response regulations) apply? The challenge for EHS professionals is to communicate to workers the distinction between what are considered environmental health risks
Capt. John DeFillippo, CHMP, EMT-B
I recently reviewed a student HazWOPER field exercise. I’ve seen good execution many times, but this class was not one of them. Why not? Poor planning. It always comes down to planning. Whether you are working together for the first time or are a part of a regular response team, what you do before you suit up definitely dictates the outcome.
“If you fail to plan, you better plan to fail”
I was told that phrase many
The remediation of contaminated soil at hazardous waste sites is one way that we, as a society, employ to improve our environment. However, there is a risk of releasing these hazardous substances into the air during the actual soil-remediating operations that could present health risks to the surrounding community. One method of controlling these risks is through community air monitoring programs or CAMP.
Once only included on projects with very high levels of risk and public scrutiny, community air monitoring has become more commonplace.
John Quatermas – EHS Consultant
Working as a Health & Safety Officer (HSO) at a hazardous waste site presents many challenges. It is our job to insure that workers on the site perform their activities in a manner that protects them and the public from injury or illness. Each hazardous waste site has its own unique dangerous conditions, which must always be considered – dirty soil, contaminated groundwater, containers of hazardous materials -contaminates vary from location
The U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under 29 CFR 1910.120 – Hazardous waste operations and emergency response requires workers who work at hazardous waste sites who may be exposed to safety and health hazards1 to receive initial and refresher training from qualified instructors. Initial training must be completed prior to work on hazardous waste sites. The following training discussion follows OSHA guidance in interpreting the standard. OSHA-approved