NCJ Number
193744
Date Published
1997
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This booklet provides information on protecting health care workers who respond to emergencies involving hazardous substances.
Abstract
Both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have regulations to help protect workers dealing with hazardous waste and emergency operations. The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is responsible for developing a community emergency response plan that contains emergency response methods and procedures to be followed by facility owners, police, hospitals, emergency responders, and emergency medical personnel. In planning emergencies, LEPCs must designate a local hospital that has agreed to accept and treat victims of emergency incidents. The elements of a hospital emergency response plan include pre-emergency drills implementing the plan, practice sessions using the Incident Command System, designation of a decontamination team, and air monitoring to ensure that the facility is safe for occupancy following treatment of contaminated patients. The Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Standard requires varying levels of training for personnel involved in hazardous material releases or clean up. To determine the appropriate level and type of training under HAZWOPER, community response agencies will need to consider the hazards in their community, and determine what capabilities will be required to respond effectively to those hazards. Components of an emergency plan include performing emergency drills, documenting training, defining personnel roles, responding to emergencies, selecting personal protective equipment and respirators, decontaminating patients, and avoiding cross-contamination.