Post-Emergency-Response Operations
After an emergency release, it is often necessary to transition from an emergency response operation to a hazardous substances cleanup operation.
Post-emergency cleanup begins when the individual in charge of the emergency response declares the site to be under control and ready for cleanup.
The post-emergency cleanup is performed by two basic groups of employees:
- Employees of the site where the emergency release occurred: Employees of the site who perform post-emergency cleanup on plant property are typically more familiar with the types of hazardous substances of the site, site conditions, and methods to appropriately protect themselves from the related hazards. These employees do not need training per HAZWOPER. However, these employees must complete the training required by:
- 1910.38, Emergency Action Plans,
- 1910.134, Respiratory Protection,
- 1910.1200, Hazard Communication, and
- other appropriate safety and health training made necessary by the tasks they are expected to perform during the cleanup.
- Employees from off the site: Employees who do not work at the facility where the release occurred, and who arrive after the emergency is declared to be over, must meet the requirements of HAZWOPER 1910.120(b)-(o) and be trained per 1910.120(e). In other words, their participation in the post-emergency cleanup is to be treated as hazardous waste site cleanup operations as discussed earlier in this course. The HAZWOPER standard does, however, allow emergency responders, trained per 1910.120(q)(6), who took part in the initial emergency response, to continue working through the cleanup operation without any additional training.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-9. When can the post-emergency cleanup process begin?
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