Page 23 - OHS, April/May 2025

location industrial chemicals like formal-
location industrial chemicals like formal-
dehyde, isocyanates, and chromates could
dehyde, isocyanates, and chromates could
be present.
be present.
Hazard Identifi cation
Hazard Identifi cation
OSHA guidelines require a written haz-
ard assessment and a Health and Safety
Plan (HASP) before any work activities
can start. A hazard assessment is needed
to identify all potential hazards present in-
cluding hazardous materials, sharp debris,
contaminated water, structural instability,
and extreme weather conditions.
A PPE assessment involves evaluating
the potential hazards present to determine
the appropriate Personal Protective Equip-
ment (PPE) needed by responders and
clean-up workers, taking into account fac-
tors like chemical exposure, debris, biologi-
cal hazards, and environmental conditions,
to ensure their safety while working in po-
tentially dangerous situations; this assess-
ment is typically conducted by a competent
person or safety offi cer.
OSHA has referred to disaster work-
ers as second responders, which I disagree
with. Th ey are fi rst responders since the in-
cident is fl uid and constantly changing.
According to OSHA, disaster work-
ers typically require training that includes
a minimum of a “Disaster Site Worker”
courses or a disaster specifi c 40-hour health
and safety course, which oft en incorporates
elements of general safety training, hazard
communication, personal protective equip-
ment (PPE) use, basic fi rst aid, and specifi c
hazards related to disaster sites, potentially
including hazardous materials awareness
depending on the situation.
Minimum Level of Protection
If exposure to liquids or to both soot and liq-
uids is anticipated, or if the form of the con-
taminants is unknown, the outer coveralls at
a minimum should be made of chemically
resistant materials such as Saranax®-coated
Tyvek. Th ese will provide protection from
dry and wet exposure potentials.
Elastomeric air-purifying respirators
(APRs) equipped with a high-effi ciency par-
ticulate air P-100 (HEPA) fi lter combined
with an organic vapor (OV) and formalde-
hyde cartridge. N95 respirators do not protect
against gases, vapors, or asbestos. Use the cor-
rect chemical protective clothing. Th e Nation-
al Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recom-
mends using duct tape to seal chemical suits
because it does not protect against vapors.
Duct tape can also be fl ammable and may not
Duct tape can also be fl ammable and may not
be suitable for all chemical-resistant suits.
be suitable for all chemical-resistant suits.
All suits that pass NFPA standards
All suits that pass NFPA standards
(1991, 1992, and 1994) are required to do
(1991, 1992, and 1994) are required to do
so without the use of tape. Th is is because
so without the use of tape. Th is is because
tape cannot be relied upon to increase pro-
tection as its application in fi eld operations
is not reproducible. Testing has demon-
strated that gaps and openings remain.
Regulatory compliance needs to be in
practice before the disaster occurs to be
able to safeguard your employee’s safety
and health.
Dr. Terpin, author, international speaker,
Dr. Terpin, author, international speaker,
Certifi ed Fire Offi cer, is the Retired Senior
Certifi ed Fire Offi cer, is the Retired Senior
Industrial Hygienist and Emergency Man-
Industrial Hygienist and Emergency Man-
ager at Th e University of Illinois at Chicago
ager at Th e University of Illinois at Chicago
(UIC). He is a master level instructor for
(UIC). He is a master level instructor for
FEMA/DHS at the Center for Domestic Pre-
paredness, a guest lecturer at Th e University
of Illinois Chicago School of Health and Th e
University of Illinois Occupational Medical
Residency Program, ASSP Safety Focus.
Additionally, he is the lead instructor for the
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement
in the Lahaina wildfi re recovery eff orts.
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