| Collect or develop the following information to the extent available: | • • • |
The site location and approximate size A description of the response activity and the job tasks to be performed The time needed to cover all planned activities |
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| • | The site's topography and all ways to access the site | |||
| • | The current status and capabilities of any emergency response team assisting during an emergency | |||
| • | The safety and health hazards expected at the site | |||
| • | The hazardous substances and health hazards at the site, including their chemical and physical properties | |||
| • | All hazardous substance dispersion pathways | |||
| • | An emergency response plan | |||
| Have a qualified person evaluate the preliminary site information to identify: | • • • |
Potential site hazards and risks The most appropriate methods to protect employees Conditions that have the potential to cause death or serious harm, including potential inhalation or skin absorption hazards that are immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) |
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| – | Examples include: | |||
| ▪ | Confined space entry | |||
| ▪ | Potentially explosive or flammable environments | |||
| ▪ | Visible vapor clouds | |||
| ▪ | Areas where plants or animals have died | |||
| • | Risks related to specific on-site hazardous substances and health hazards | |||
| – | Examples include: | |||
| ▪ | Exposures exceeding the permissible exposure limits (PELs) or published exposure levels | |||
| ▪ | IDLH concentrations | |||
| ▪ | Potential skin absorption and irritation sources | |||
| ▪ | Potential eye irritation sources | |||
| ▪ | Explosion sensitivity and flammability ranges | |||
| ▪ | Oxygen deficient atmospheres | |||
| Have a qualified person prepare an initial site characterization and analysis for the site to: | • • • |
Identify known and suspected health and
safety hazards for the site Aid in selecting control methods to protect employees from site hazards Brief employees on site conditions before any work starts |
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| • | Initiate the site-specific health and safety plan (HASP) | |||
| Note: | Characterization and analysis of site hazards is an ongoing process for work on the hazardous waste site. |