An Explanation of the HAZWOPER Emergency Response
Training Levels, under 29CFR§1910.120 (q)
Training: Training shall be based on the duties and function
to be performed by each responder of an emergency response
organization. The skill and knowledge levels required for all
new responders, those hired after the effective date of this
standard, shall be conveyed to them through training before
they are permitted to take part in actual emergency operations
on an incident. Employees who participate, or are expected
to participate, in emergency response, shall be given training
in accordance with the following paragraphs:
First responder awareness level: First responders at the awareness
level are individuals who are likely to witness or discover
a hazardous substance release and who have been trained to
initiate an emergency response sequence by notifying the proper
authorities of the release. They would take no further action
beyond notifying the authorities of the release. First responders
at the awareness level shall have sufficient training or have
had sufficient experience to objectively demonstrate competency
in the following areas:
• An understanding of what hazardous substances are,
and the risks associated with them in an incident.
• An understanding of the potential outcomes associated with
an emergency created when hazardous substances are present.
• The ability to recognize the presence of hazardous substances
in an emergency.
• The ability to identify the hazardous substances, if possible.
• An understanding of the role of the first responder awareness
individual in the employer's emergency response plan including
site security and control and the U.S. Department of Transportation's
Emergency Response Guidebook.
• The ability to realize the need for additional resources, and
to make appropriate notifications to the communication center.
First responder operations level: First responders at the
operations level are individuals who respond to releases or
potential releases of hazardous substances as part of the initial
response to the site for the purpose of protecting nearby persons,
property, or the environment from the effects of the release.
They are trained to respond in a defensive fashion without
actually trying to stop the release. Their function is to contain
the release from a safe distance, keep it from spreading, and
prevent exposures. First responders at the operational level
shall have received at least eight hours of training or have
had sufficient experience to objectively demonstrate competency
in the following areas in addition to those listed for the
awareness level and the employer shall so certify:
• Knowledge of the basic hazard and risk assessment
techniques.
• Know how to select and use proper personal protective equipment
provided to the first responder operational level.
• An understanding of basic hazardous materials terms.
• Know how to perform basic control, containment and/or confinement
operations within the capabilities of the resources and
personal protective equipment available with their unit.
• Know how to implement basic decontamination procedures.
• An understanding of the relevant standard operating procedures
and termination procedures.
Hazardous materials technician: Hazardous materials technicians
are individuals who respond to releases or potential releases
for the purpose of stopping the release. They assume a more
aggressive role than a first responder at the operations level
in that they will approach the point of release in order to
plug, patch or otherwise stop the release of a hazardous substance.
Hazardous materials technicians shall have received at least
24 hours of training equal to the first responder operations
level and in addition have competency in the following areas
and the employer shall so certify:
• Know how to implement the employer's emergency response
plan.
• Know the classification, identification and verification of
known and unknown materials by using field survey instruments
and equipment.
• Be able to function within an assigned role in the Incident
Command System.
• Know how to select and use proper specialized chemical personal
protective equipment provided to the hazardous materials
technician.
• Understand hazard and risk assessment techniques.
• Be able to perform advance control, containment, and/or confinement
operations within the capabilities of the resources and
personal protective equipment available with the unit.
• Understand and implement decontamination procedures.
• Understand termination procedures.
• Understand basic chemical and toxicological terminology and
behavior.
Hazardous materials specialist: Hazardous materials specialists
are individuals who respond with and provide support to hazardous
materials technicians. Their duties parallel those of the
hazardous materials technician, however, those duties require
a more directed or specific knowledge of the various substances
they may be called upon to contain. The hazardous materials
specialist would also act as the site liaison with Federal,
state, local and other government authorities in regards
to site activities. Hazardous materials specialists shall
have received at least 24 hours of training equal to the
technician level and in addition have competency in the following
areas and the employer shall so certify:
• Know how to implement the local emergency response
plan.
• Understand classification, identification and verification
of known and unknown materials by using advanced survey
instruments and equipment.
• Know the state emergency response plan.
• Be able to select and use proper specialized chemical personal
protective equipment provided to the hazardous materials
specialist.
• Understand in-depth hazard and risk techniques.
• Be able to perform specialized control, containment, and/or
confinement operations within the capabilities of the resources
and personal protective equipment available.
• Be able to determine and implement decontamination procedures.
• Have the ability to develop a site safety and control plan.
• Understand chemical, radiological and toxicological terminology
and behavior.
On scene incident commander: Incident commanders, who will
assume control of the incident scene beyond the first responder
awareness level, shall receive at least 24 hours of training
equal to the first responder operations level and in addition
have competency in the following areas and the employer shall
so certify:
• Know and be able to implement the employer's incident
command system.
• Know how to implement the employer's emergency response plan.
• Know and understand the hazards and risks associated with employees
working in chemical protective clothing.
• Know how to implement the local emergency response plan.
• Know of the state emergency response plan and of the Federal
Regional Response Team.
• Know and understand the importance of decontamination procedures.
|
