Environmental Remediation Workers
Remediation workers clean up soil, water and buildings contaminated by chemicals, fuels, metals or hazardous waste. They may not know exactly what is in the ground, so careful planning, training and monitoring protect them.
- Remediation
- HAZWOPER
- Brownfield Sites
HAZWOPER rules
- OSHA's Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response standard (29 CFR 1910.120 and 1926.65) covers cleanup at hazardous waste sites. See HAZWOPER.
- Workers need training: 40 hours of initial training plus 3 days supervised field experience for most site workers, 24 hours for limited exposure, and 8-hour annual refreshers. Supervisors get extra training.
- A site safety and health plan must describe hazards, controls, PPE, monitoring and emergency plans.
- Workers in some jobs have medical monitoring before work and at set intervals.
Site controls
- Zones: an exclusion zone (contaminated), a contamination reduction zone (decontamination) and a support zone (clean)
- Entry and exit only through the decontamination line
- Site map, security and warning signs
- Buddy system with communication and emergency plan
- Wash facilities and clean break areas outside the exclusion zone
Monitoring and PPE
- Air monitoring for oxygen, combustible gases, volatile organics and dust, with action levels that trigger a change in work or PPE. See Air Sampling & Exposure Monitoring.
- PPE levels:
- Level A: highest protection, fully encapsulating suit and supplied air.
- Level B: highest respiratory protection with less skin protection, supplied air.
- Level C: air-purifying respirator with chemical-resistant clothing.
- Level D: work uniform, boots, gloves and basic protection with no respiratory hazard.
- Choose gloves and suits matched to the chemicals. See Chemical Protective Clothing.
Other hazards
- Heat stress inside protective suits is severe; plan work-rest cycles and water. See Heat Illness.
- Excavation, drilling and heavy equipment. See Contaminated Soil.
- Fire and explosion, drum handling, unknown wastes and confined spaces.
- Decontaminate yourself and equipment before leaving; do not take contamination home. See Take-Home Contamination.
Standards & references
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