Decontamination
The written program must include procedures to ensure employees who may be exposed to hazardous substances decontaminate themselves and decontaminate or properly dispose of contaminated equipment, including PPE.
Decontamination must be done in areas to minimize the exposure of uncontaminated employees or equipment. If you send employee clothing to a commercial laundry, inform the laundry about the harmful effects of hazardous substances which may contaminate the clothing.
Emergency Response
Your written program must ensure employees at the site know what to do in an emergency such as fire, personal injury, or chemical release. If you rely on a local emergency responder such as a fire department for services, you must ensure they can respond appropriately to fire, personal injury, and chemical releases. If they cannot provide appropriate services, you must find a responder who can. Your emergency response plan must also coordinate with the local emergency response plan within your state or district.
What your emergency response plan must include:
- description of possible emergencies at the site
- roles and authority of emergency personnel
- communication procedures used during emergencies
- procedures for reporting emergencies to local, state, and federal government agencies
- emergency zones, safe distances, and evacuation areas at the site
- security and control measures for emergencies
- site evacuation procedures and routes
- emergency-response equipment available at the site
- procedures for medical treatment and first-aid
- emergency decontamination procedures
- training required for employees who respond to emergencies at the site
- criteria for evaluating the plan
Don't just put your plan away and forget about it until an emergency occurs. Rehearse the plan's procedures regularly and review the plan to keep it current.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-8. Which topic must be included in an emergency response plan?
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