Worker Safety Procedures

DOE-EM-STD-5503-94

The primary means of external communication are telephone and radio.

9.6. WORKER SAFETY PROCEDURES

As part of the site control plan, procedures should be established to ensure worker safety.

Worker safety procedures include preparation of the site for response activities, engineering

controls and safe work practices, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Worker safety

procedures should be prepared in advance of conducting onsite response operations and should

be available at the site command post.

Engineering controls and safe work practices should be implemented to reduce and maintain

employee exposure levels at or below the permissible exposure limits (PELs) and published

exposure limits for those hazardous substances at the site. If engineering controls and safe work

practices are insufficient to adequately protect against exposure, PPE should be used to protect

employees against possible exposure to hazardous substances.

9.7. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

As part of the site control program, the Project Manager should assure that the identification and

location of the nearest medical facilities where response personnel can receive assistance in the

event of an emergency are posted. Information such as the names, phone numbers, addresses,

and procedures for contacting the facilities should be maintained. This information should be

posted conspicuously throughout the site, as well as near telephones or other external

communication devices.

9.8. REFERENCES

1. 29 CFR 1910.120, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER).

2. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) (NIOSH) Publication No. 85-115,

Occupational Safety and Health Guidance Manual for Hazardous Waste Site Activities,

NIOSH/OSHA/USCG/EPA, 1985 (Four-Agency Document).

3. EPA Publication No. 9285.1-03, Standard Operating Safety Guides, Chapter 4, Office of

Emergency and Remedial Response, USEPA, 1992.

4. EPA 9285.8-01, Health and Safety Plan (HASP) User's Guide, Chapter 8, Office of

Emergency and Remedial Response, USEPA, 1992 (and ERT Health and Safety Plan

Planner, Ver. 3.0C, 1993).

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