Preliminary Off-site Evaluation
Per 29 CFR 1910.120 (c)(2), a preliminary off-site evaluation of a site's characteristics must be performed prior to site entry by a qualified person in order to aid in the selection of appropriate employee protection methods prior to site entry.
Before going on-site, the off-site characterization should be used to develop a Site Health and Safety Plan (HASP) for site entry that addresses the work to be accomplished and prescribes the procedures to protect the health and safety of the entry team.
The initial characterization of hazardous waste sites is conducted to:
- identify specific site hazards, and
- determine the appropriate safety and health control procedures needed to protect employees from the identified hazards.
The person with primary responsibility for site characterization and assessment is the Project Team Leader.
Also, outside experts, such as chemists, health physicists, industrial hygienists, and toxicologists, may be needed to accurately and fully interpret all the available information on-site conditions.
As much information as possible should be obtained before site entry so that the hazards can be evaluated and preliminary controls instituted to protect initial entry personnel.
Initial information-gathering missions should focus on identifying all potential or suspected conditions that may pose inhalation hazards that are immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) or other conditions that may cause death or serious harm.
See this example of a HASP prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE).
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1-2. Why is an initial characterization of hazardous waste sites conducted?
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