Navigating the World of EHS Training

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Navigating the World ofEHS Training

• By Curt Speaker
• PSU EHS

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Objectives

• To provide a better understanding of the training
  courses available through EHS
• To provide a clearer understanding of who needs
  these training classes through case studies
• To identify those training classes which must be
  repeated on a regular basis and occupations
  related to them

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Evolution

• Before 1976 first radioisotope training
  presented
• 1984 PA Worker and Community Right-to-Know Act
• 1992 OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
• 1999 Mandated chemical and hazardous waste
  handling training for all lab personnel

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2003 - EHS Training Matrix
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More evolution
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Examples of EHS Training Courses

• Asbestos Awareness - This course is required
  annually for those who may come into contact with
  asbestos-containing materials during their daily
  or routine activities and anyone else who needs
  to be aware of the locations and types of
  equipment where these materials may be found.

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Examples of EHS Training Courses

• Bloodborne Pathogen -   Required of anyone who
  works with human blood or body fluids as part of
  their job, and is a prerequisite to be eligible
  for Hepatitis B vaccination through the
  University.

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Examples of EHS Training Courses

• Chemical and Hazardous Waste Training - Required
  of anyone who works in an area using flammable,
  acidic, basic, toxic or reactive chemicals, or
  supervises people that do.

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Examples of EHS Training Courses

• Radionuclide Safety - Required of everyone prior
  to working with radioactive material. Be sure to
  view the OnLine Radionuclide Training before
  registering for the in-house training and exam.
  This training consists of both an online training
  session and an in-house training session in the
  office of Radiation Protection, 229 Academic
  Projects Building.

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Examples of EHS Training Courses

• Right-to-Know provides information on hazardous
  substances in the workplace and how to read and
  understand a MSDS
• Required to be offered to all University
  employees within 120 days of hire and annually
  thereafter
• Especially important for laboratory, janitorial
  and tradespersons who handle chemicals

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Training Dichotomies

• New versus Existing Employees
• Students versus Faculty Staff
• Graduate Students versus Undergrads
• Required versus Optional training
• Initial versus Refresher training
• On-Line versus Classroom
• Policies versus Best Management Practices (BMPs)

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New versus Existing Employees

• Training is most effective if it given to new
  employees
• (before they learn bad habits!)
• Fewer conflicts with classes, meetings, etc. if
  training is given at start of employment
• Training classes are generally not different for
  new versus existing employees

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Students versus Faculty Staff

• Courses are not different for students versus
  faculty staff
• Faculty (which often serve as supervisors), must
• Take the training
• Ensure that their employees take the training
• Enforce the practices and procedures outlined in
  the training
• Ensure that training records are maintained

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Graduate Students versus Undergrads

• Grad students, especially those working in labs,
  will need many of the EHS safety training courses
• Undergrads only need the Chemical and Hazardous
  Waste Training if they are doing independent
  research or working in a lab (info covered in
  classes where chemicals and waste are handled)

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Required versus Optional training

• Some training is required (i.e., radionuclide,
  X-Ray, chemical and hazardous waste,
  right-to-know, bloodborne pathogens) before
  handling hazardous materials
• Other training is recommended, but not required
  (i.e., fire prevention and fire safety,
  ergonomics and back lifting safety)
• Training may be required based on the work done
  (i.e., users of oil tanks/SPCC)

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Initial versus Refresher training

• Initial training provides the basic knowledge and
  skills to conduct work safely
• Refresher training highlights the important
  aspects and processes, and focuses on things that
  may have changed since the initial training
• Some refresher training is required (i.e.,
  chemical and hazardous waste, radionuclide)

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On-Line versus Classroom

• We are developing more classes that can be
  completed on-line but will require some type of
  test to determine if training was understood
  (i.e., lasers, radionuclide)
• Some training is better suited to classroom
• Other training requires hands-on participation
  (i.e., fire extinguisher training, radionuclide
  safety, autoclave safety)

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Policies versus Best Management Practices (BMPs)

• Some training is enforceable by policy
• SY14 Use of Radioactive Materials
• SY15 Use of Radiation Producing Equipment
• SY20 Hazardous Waste Disposal
• SY22 Automated External Defibrillators
• Other training is based on practices that are
  well established in the field
• Respiratory Protection, Hearing Conservation, Hot
  Work Permit, Lock Out/Tag Out

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On to some examples
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Case 1 Dr. Ima BigshotPhD, Chemist

• Required Training
• Chemical and Hazardous Waste Handling
• Right-to-Know
• Possible Required Training
• Bloodborne Pathogen (if handling blood)
• Radionuclide Safety (if handling radionuclides)
• X-Ray Safety (if using X-Rays)
• Laser Fundamentals and Safety (if using lasers)

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Case 1 Dr. Ima BigshotPhD, Chemist

• Optional Training
• Autoclave Safety
• Fire Extinguisher Training
• Potential Required Refresher Training
• Chemical and Hazardous Waste Handling (Refresher)
• Radionuclide Safety (Refresher)
• Bloodborne Pathogen (Refresher)

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Case 2 Betty SpaghettiStaff Assistant

• Required Training
• Right-to-Know (offer)
• Optional Training
• Ergonomics and Back and Lifting Safety
• Fire Extinguisher Training
• Radiation Safety for Non-Radiation Workers

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Case 3 Larry PipefitterPlumber

• Required Training
• Asbestos Awareness
• Confined Space
• Lock Out Tag Out
• Right-to-Know
• Optional Training
• Fire Extinguisher Training
• Hearing Conservation
• Respiratory Protection
• Hot Work Permit

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Case 3 Larry PipefitterPlumber

• Required Refresher Training
• Asbestos Awareness
• Confined Space
• Lock Out Tag Out

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Case 4 Sally SwifferCustodian

• Required Training
• Right-To-Know
• Optional Training
• Bloodborne Pathogen (Awareness)
• Ergonomics and Back and Lifting Safety
• Radiation Safety for Non-Radiation Workers (if
  working in a building where radioactive materials
  are used)

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Thoughts for the Future

• Where sufficient technical expertise exists, we
  would like to do more Train the Trainer
  training, where the work unit has a expert
  trainer on a given subject (example Hot Work
  Permit)
• Stand alone training DVDs are also being
  developed (example bloodborne pathogens)

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Summary

• Laboratory and other technical occupations
  typically require more training because of the
  number and types of hazardous materials handled
• Clerical positions have little required training,
  but many optional classes
• Some training is one-time others must be
  repeated annually

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One Last Training Dichotomy
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The End

• Questions?