Decontamination
Decontamination procedures are a component of the site HASP and, consequently, must be developed, communicated to employees, and implemented before employees enter a hazardous waste site.
Impermeable protective clothing must be decontaminated before being removed by the employee.
As necessary, the site safety and health officer must require and monitor decontamination of the employee and decontamination or disposal of the employee's clothing and equipment, as well as the substances used for decontamination, before the employee leaves the work area.
Other requirements the employer must follow are:
- If an employee's non-impermeable clothing becomes grossly contaminated with hazardous substances, the employee must immediately remove that clothing and take a shower.
- Impermeable protective clothing must be decontaminated before being removed by the employee.
- Protective clothing and equipment must be decontaminated, cleaned, laundered, maintained, or replaced to retain its effectiveness.
- The employer must inform anyone who launders or cleans such clothing or equipment of the potentially harmful effects of exposure to hazardous substances.
- HAZWOPER requires showers and change rooms when hazardous waste cleanup operations take six months or longer to complete.
- Unauthorized employees must not remove their protective clothing or equipment from change rooms unless authorized to do so.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-6. Which protective clothing must be decontaminated before being removed by the employee?
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