HAZWOPER Training Prepares Spill Responders For Dangerous Toxic Cleanup Jobs
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The ongoing Gulf Coast oil disaster illustrates the real need for trained, qualified personnel who can assist in toxic waste cleanup and management. Even while depriving fisherman and other ocean-dependent workers of jobs, the spill created opportunities for those removing the messy cocktail from beaches and marshes. Working in this arena requires more than a sun-hat and shovel. HAZWOPER training, or Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response training, provides the instruction individuals need before confronting raw crude oil, which can contain such toxins as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and benzene.
These chemicals can become airborne, reaching coastal towns and beaches in the form of a strong petroleum odor. Breathing the air is only one way to be exposed. Those working directly in and around the spill residue may experience skin contact, and possible contamination from eating food from sources subject to contamination. The toxicity of exposure depends on the duration and and concentrations of the poisons, and varies by location.
People frustrated by bureaucratic delays may question the need for lengthy training when there are so many individuals ready to help. After all, don't oil workers face the same environmental dangers on a daily basis without problems? The difference is the type of toxins present, and the levels of exposure. Rig workers are familiar with all the dangers, and learn to avoid them. Cleanup workers unaccustomed to contact with petroleum may experience respiratory distress, fatigue, nausea, headaches or dizziness, and these symptoms may increase over time.
Some people may suffer from acute exposure, which means direct contact with this contamination, either through food, air or water. There is no system in our bodies or in most living organisms that does not suffer from this type of poison. The skin and mucous membranes sustain immediate degradation when directly exposed to crude. Long term damage increases the probability that future medical problems may arise. These may include problems with blood disorders, lung, liver and kidney failure, infertility, hormonal disruptions, genetic mutations, and of course, cancers.
The common connecting thread in these areas of disaster cleanup is the overwhelming need for qualified, trained and protected responders. Residents may seek to help because the problem affects their lives and jobs, but cleanup should not be undertaken casually. The HAZWOPER program training is the key to successful removal of toxic chemical contamination. Sponsored by OSHA (the U. S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration), the program is designed to train responders on various levels matching their exposure. The twenty-four hour course is aimed at those not directly touching any toxins and can work under the PEL, or permissible exposure limits. Falling into this category are jobs such as drivers, surveyors and some administrators.
The next training tier involves a forty-hour course which is required for any working having direct contact with spilled oil. Included in this category are the front-line workers such as trained volunteers, those who deal with treatment, disposal and storage of cleaned-up floating crude, and emergency response teams. The course teaches how to avoid contact with pollutants as they are being contained and eliminated. Primary response efforts fall into OSHA's "emergency response" category, while "post emergency cleanup operations" is the work arena for those cleaning beaches and marshes.
There are also lessons in toxicology and the recognition of poisonous hazards, which includes analysis of hazard potential, including those from radioactive sources. Students learn how to effectively wear respiratory devices and protective suits. Decontamination and site control methods are stressed, as is medical surveillance for exposed individuals, and constant air monitoring. There is instruction in materials sampling and emergency procedures, with advice on wearing protective clothing during cleanup.
Training is ongoing, and periodic HAZWOPER refresher courses are required. As the current Gulf situation demonstrates, safe dispersal of such a massive and deadly spill demands adequate protection and training for cleanup workers. Those who wish to pursue this training should check HAZWOPER training internet sites, and choose a course that is OSHA recognized and certified. There will, unfortunately, always be a demand for personnel trained in toxic cleanup, and it is better to be prepared ahead of time for the next disaster.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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