OSHA HAZWOPER

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OSHA HAZWOPER

HAZWOPER workers handling hazardous wastes can experience high levels of stress. Their daily tasks may expose them to toxic chemicals, safety hazards, biologic hazards, and radiation. They may develop heat stress while wearing protective equipment or working under temperature extremes, or face life-threatening emergencies such as explosions and fires. Therefore, a medical program is essential to assess and
monitor workers' health and fitness both prior to employment and during the course of work; to provide emergency and other treatment as needed; and to keep accurate records for future reference. In addition, OSHA recommends a medical evaluation for employees required to wear a respirator (29 CFR Part 1910.134[b][10]), and certain OSHA standards include specific medical requirements (e.g., 29 CFR Part 1910.95 and 29 CFR Parts 1910.1001 through 1910.1045). Information from a site medical program may also be used to conduct future epidemiological studies; to adjudicate claims; to provide evidence in litigation; and to report workers' medical conditions to federal, state, and local agencies, as required by
law.

This OSHA HAZWOPER course presents general guidelines for designing a medical program for personnel at hazwoper or hazardous waste sites. It includes information and sample protocols for pre-employment screening and periodic medical examinations, guidelines for emergency and non-emergency treatment, and recommendations for program record-keeping and review. In addition, it supplies a table of some common chemical
toxicants found at hazardous waste sites with recommended medical monitoring procedures.

The recommendations in this hazwoper training assume that workers will have adequate protection from exposures through administrative and engineering controls, and appropriate personal protective equipment and decontamination procedures, as described elsewhere in this training. Medical surveillance should be used to complement other controls.

OSHA HAZWOPER Agenda