Chapter 11 - Emergency Preparedness and Response

Abstract

Emergencies happen quickly and unexpectedly, and require immediate response. At a hazardous waste site, an emergency may be as limited as a worker experiencing heat stress or as major as a fire, explosion, or release. Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) has established requirements to provide protection for employees who are involved in hazardous waste operations and emergency response. A good relationship with local fire departments, local police departments, and city officials is encouraged. The HAZWOPER standard says that an emergency exists when an incident occurs that results in, or is likely to result in, an uncontrolled hazardous waste or substance release. This emergency can cause a potential health or safety hazard that cannot be mitigated or “fixed” by personnel in the immediate work area where the release occurs. The chapter emphasizes that the emergency response organization at a facility should develop and maintain information and communication system with local medical centers for treatment beyond the site capability for injured, contaminated, or irradiated personnel. Coordination with hospitals or other medical care providers prior to emergencies is very important.