HAZWOPER: Awareness Level

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HAZWOPER Awareness Level
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Why is Hazardous Waste Dangerous?

• Chemical spills or releases can
• Injure you or your co-workers
• Contaminate drinking water
• Cause a massive evacuation
• Kill innocent bystanders
• You can be exposed without knowing
• Even small spills can cause great damage

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Ways Chemicals Enter the Body

• Breathe them in through your nose or mouth
• Make contact with your skin or eyes
• Swallow chemicals when eating or drinking

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Five Levels of HAZWOPER Training

• First responders at the awareness level
• First responders at the operational level
• Hazardous materials technicians
• Hazardous materials specialists
• Incident commander

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Responsibility of First Responders at the
Awareness Level

• Recognize the hazard
• Evacuate yourself and others
• Notify the proper authorities
• Secure the area
• Help determine the identity of the hazardous
  substance

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Prevent Spills and Releases

• Never leave containers open
• Inspect for damage
• Place in proper containers
• Avoid fires
• Do not overfill

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Recognize Warning Signs of a Chemical Release

• Liquid on the floor or tables
• Liquid dripping from hazardous containers
• New odor
• Hissing or dripping sound
• Equipment that has lost pressureor flow

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Evacuate Yourself and Others

• Warn others
• Turn off machines and evacuate
• Stay upwind
• Dont attempt to rescue unless trained

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Report the Emergency

• Wait until out of hazardous area
• Describe the
• Type of emergency
• Location
• Environmental factors
• Ask for instructions
• Report all fires and spills

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Secure the Area

• Keep out unauthorized personnel
• Barricade the dangerous area
• Stay out until trained person declares safe

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Determine the Identity

• Assist emergency response personnel
• Look for NFPA labels
• Blue is toxic
• Red is flammable
• Yellow is reactive
• Numbers 3 or 4 are very hazardous

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Determine the Identity Material Safety Data
Sheets (MSDS)

• Use MSDS to get information about
• Chemical name
• Physical characteristics
• Fire and explosion data
• Dangerous properties
• Precautions for safe handling
• Reactivity data

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Ways You Can Help

• Cooperate with emergency personnel
• Gather information about the spill
• Identify the location of
• Injured people
• Potential hazards
• Exit and escape routes
• The nearest fire extinguisher and first aid
  equipment

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If Exposure Occurs

• Inform supervisor
• Describe chemicals
• Flush eyes or skin with water for at least 15
  minutes
• Seek medical attention if swallowed

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Summary

• Hazardous waste is dangerous
• Prevent spills
• Recognize a spill or release
• Evacuate yourself and others
• Report the situation
• Secure the area