operations and emergency response

four years later this HAZWOPER rule was finalized

it affects workers at hazardous waste treatment storage and disposal

facilities

hazardous waste clean-up operations

and emergency response operations involving hazardous materials

the purpose of this presentation is to help you understand the HAZWOPER

regulation

your rights and responsibilities as a worker in this industry

and how to work safely around the hazardous substances

let's start with the basic questions

what makes a substance hazardous

there is no simple answer

we need to look at several sources of information to get a complete definition

In OSHA's hazard communication standard a hazardous chemical is defined as any

chemical which is either a physical hazard or a health hazard

according to OSHA

physical hazards include combustibles, flammables, explosives, oxidizers,

organic peroxides, reactive chemicals and compressed gases.

Health hazards include sensitizers

irritants

corrosives

toxic and highly toxic agents

and carcinogens

the US department of transportation

lists the materials it considers hazardous

in its hazardous material table in 49 CFR 172.101

one seventy two point one oh one