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What Constitutes Hazardous Waste Operations And Emergency Response

(HAZWOPER) Hazard?

Under HAZWOPER a hazard “applies to response activities where there is an

uncontrolled release of a hazardous substance, or where an uncontrolled
release is likely.” Here are examples of situations that constitute a hazardous
waste emergency and are covered by the standard:

 high concentrations of toxic substances

 situations with an oxygen-deficient atmosphere
 threat of injury or death
 situations that pose a fire or explosion hazard

WHO IS COVERED BY THE HAZWOPER STANDARD?

According to OSHA’s guidelines, HAZWOPER applies to five groups of
employers and employees exposed (or even only potentially exposed) to
hazardous substances involved in the following:

clean-up operations required by a governmental body, conducted at

uncontrolled hazardous waste sites, and involving hazardous substances;
corrective actions involving clean-up operations at sites covered by the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA);
voluntary clean-up operations at sites recognized by a governmental body as
uncontrolled hazardous waste sites;
operations involving hazardous wastes that are conducted at treatment,
storage and disposal (TSD) facilities regulated by Title 40 Code of Federal
Regulations Parts 264 and 265 or by agencies under agreement with U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency to implement RCRA regulations;
emergency response operations for releases of, or substantial threats of
releases of, hazardous substances regardless of the location of the hazard.
When considering how HAZWOPER relates to your workplace, you need to
remember that sometimes this standard is not necessary. Some companies
employing workers in jobs with hazardous materials contact potential will
automatically assign HAZWOPER training to these employees.

However, workers whose duties are on controlled hazardous waste sites, in

laboratories, chemical manufacturing plants and many others, do not
necessarily need HAZWOPER training. Often, these workers require hazard
communication standard (HAZCOM) training.

If employees work in an uncontrolled hazardous waste site role, or supervise

someone who does, then HAZWOPER applies. Otherwise, study your
situation well and confirm if one or both standards apply to your workplace.
evacuation is required
There is a difference between incidental spill of hazardous substances and an
emergency spill. If the spill doesn’t pose a significant health hazard or a safety
hazard to the employees cleaning it up and it doesn’t have a potential to turn
into an emergency, then it’s an incidental release. Such situations can be
safely dealt with by trained employees who are familiar with the substances
they handle.

The difference between an incidental spill and an emergency spill is also

facility-specific. Pre-established procedures, employee training, their response
and the PPE available all contribute to this difference. In general, however, it
could be stated that incidental releases are limited in quantity, toxicity and
exposure potential. Response to incidental releases is not governed by the
HAZWOPER standard.

https://www.safeopedia.com/definition/1062/hazardous-waste-operations-and-
emergency-response-hazwoper

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER)

What Does Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response

(HAZWOPER) Mean?

Hazardous waste operation and emergency response (HAZWOPER) refers to

a number of hazardous waste operations and emergency services provided.
HAZWOPER is aimed to improve the capability of employees to react to
emergencies caused by the accidental release of hazardous substances. It
includes clean up procedures as well, as there are safety and health hazards
associated with hazardous waste operations.

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER)

The dumping of hazardous waste poses significant threats to the local and
global environment. It is a severe health and safety issue that endangers life
on Earth. Hazardous wastes, whether toxic, radioactive, flammable, corrosive,
or explosive, indiscriminately pollutes soil, air and water etc.. Hazardous
wastes, therefore, need to be properly treated, stored and disposed of, so that
they are not unsafe for the environment and future life.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard, Title 29
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.120 to protect workers in this
environment and to help them handle hazardous wastes safely and
effectively. The scopes of the operation are:
Clean-up operations - by government agencies at uncontrolled hazardous
waste sites
Corrective actions - clean up at sites as per Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA)
Voluntary clean-up - clean up at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites declared
by government. Clean up at RCRA licensed disposal facilities
Emergency response operations - for release of hazardous substances,
regardless of the location

https://environment.gov.pk/SiteImage/Misc/files/Draft%20Rules%20and
%20Regulations/Handling%2C%20Manufacture%2C%20Storage%20Import
%20of%20hazardous%20waste%20and%20hazardous%20substances
%20Rules%202022.pdf

As per Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Climate Change, Islamabad,

Handling, Manufacture, Storage, Import of hazardous waste and hazardous
substances Rules, 2022, An occupier (Means industrialist / user / Storer) who
has control of an industrial activity and hazardous chemicals, shall identify the
major accident hazards; and take adequate steps to:
 prevent such major accidents and to limit their consequences to persons
and the environment;
 provide to the persons working on the site with the information, training
and equipment including antidotes necessary to ensure their safety.