664 HAZWOPER for General Site Workers V

Site Characterization - Off-site

Initial Site Characterization

The more accurate, detailed, and comprehensive the information available about a site, the more the protective measures can be tailored to the actual hazards workers may encounter.

Site Characterization Phases

Site characterization and development of a Health and Safety Plan (HASP) generally proceeds in three phases:

1. Preliminary off-site evaluation: Gather information away from the site and conduct reconnaissance from the site perimeter.
2. On-site surveys: During this phase, restrict site entry to reconnaissance personnel.
3. Ongoing monitoring: Once the site has been determined safe for commencement of other activities, perform ongoing monitoring to provide a continuous source of information about site conditions.

It is important to recognize site characterization is a continuous process. At each phase of site characterization, information should be obtained and evaluated to define the hazards that the site may pose. This assessment can then be used to develop a safety and health plan for the next phase of work. In addition to the formal information gathering that takes place during the phases of site characterization described here, all site personnel should be constantly alert for new information about site conditions.

Within each phase of information gathering, the most appropriate sequence of steps should be determined, particularly if there are time or budget considerations that limit the scope of the work. Wherever possible, all information sources should be pursued.

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