References Developing Training Programs Environmental Safety and Health Courses
 |
 |
|
Back to Index of Developing Training Programs
Environmental Safety and Health Courses Commonly Offered in Brownfields Job Training Porgrams Each Brownfields Job Development and Training program offers its own unique set of courses based on the labor market needs in its community, particularly the assessment and cleanup needs of the local brownfields site(s). However, since all Brownfields Job Training Programs are tied to employment at brownfields sites, some of the course offering may be similar across programs. The following courses are commonly offered.
Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Training
Training Requirements for the HAZWOPER Standard
The OSHA document, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, provides the following summary of the training requirements for the HAZWOPER standard. "Employees at all sites must not perform any hazardous waste operations unless they have been trained to the level required by their job function and responsibility and have been certified by their instructor as having completed the necessary training. Employee training requirements are further defined by the nature of the work (e.g., temporary emergency response personnel, firefighters, safety officers, HAZMAT personnel, and incident commanders). These requirements may include recognizing and knowing the hazardous materials and their risks; knowing how to select and use appropriate personal protective equipment; and knowing the appropriate control, containment, or confinement procedures and how to implement them. The specific training and competency requirements for each personnel category are explained fully in the final rule (FR54 42:9294, March 6, 1989). Employees who receive the training specified (see the table below) must receive a written certificate upon successful completion of that training."
Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (OSHA 3114), 1997.
Annual HAZWOPER Refresher Training
Each site worker and supervisor must receive eight hours of refresher training each year to review critical health and safety requirements and procedures, and introduce new or revised requirements and procedures. The refresher training, discussed in HAZWOPER paragraph (e)(8), must be geared toward a worker's or supervisor's site responsibilities.
When the HAZWOPER Standard Applies to Work Done at Brownfields Sites According to the OSHA document, Brownfields Health & Safety for Sites Evaluated and Remediated under Federal Brownfields Initiatives or State Voluntary Cleanup Programs, "OSHA's HAZWOPER standard (29 CFR 1910.120) applies to work done at a brownfields site if you're conducting clean-up operations on a site that falls within the scope of the standard. Clean-up operations are defined in paragraph (a)(3) and include operations where hazardous substances are removed, contained, stabilized, or processed in order to make the site safer for people or the environment. Such operations might involve excavating and removing contaminated soil or constructing engineering controls to contain site contaminants. These cleanup operations fall within the scope of HAZWOPER if they are conducted on a government-identified uncontrolled hazardous waste site or a RCRA corrective action site, as described in paragraph (a)(1)(i)-(iii) of the standard. Sites listed on the National Priority List (NPL), in the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) CERCLIS (CERCLA Information System) database or in an analogous state database are generally considered government-identified uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. However, these databases sometimes exclude RCRA corrective action sites. Databases such as RCRIS (RCRA Information System) and ERNS (Emergency Response Notification System) may help you identify RCRA-related sites. You should contact the appropriate federal or state environmental agency to verify information from any of these databases and the classification of your site.
HAZWOPER may also apply if the government Brownfields or Voluntary Clean-up Program (VCP) in which you participate requires compliance with the standard. Federal Brownfields and State Voluntary Clean-up Programs may require HAZWOPER compliance even if they exclude government-identified hazardous waste sites from program participation. If your site participates in one of these programs, then you may be required to comply with some or all of HAZWOPER's cleanup requirements in paragraphs (b)-(o). For example, EPA Brownfields Initiatives are generally financed by a Superfund Cooperative Agreement (CA) and these CAs require compliance with HAZWOPER. If your project is an EPA Brownfields Pilot (Demonstration Assessment or Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan), you should review the funding CA and the resources listed in Question 22 to determine if HAZWOPER compliance is required."
Instructional Resources
Equipment
Significant equipment, apparatus, and supplies are required to complete the 40-hour HAZWOPER training. They include levels A, B, C, and D personal protective apparel; respiratory protection equipment; monitoring equipment; decontamination supplies; and spill response materials.
OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Outreach Training
Participants learn how nine major provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) can be implemented in the workplace. Topics include common violations; inspections, citations and penalties; walking and working surfaces; means of egress and fire protection; hazardous materials; material handling; electrical safety; and machine guarding. This course must be taught by an OSHA-authorized instructor. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a card from OSHA verifying completion of the course.
Instructional Resources
OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Outreach Training
This course is a more in-depth version of the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Outreach Training course. Participants learn how the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) can be implemented in the workplace. Topics include common violations; inspections, citations and penalties; walking and working surfaces; means of egress and fire protection; hazardous materials; material handling; electrical safety; and machine guarding. Participants also learn to locate and read standards and understand how to identify specific safety and health issues. This course must be taught by an OSHA-authorized instructor. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a card from OSHA verifying their completion of the course.
Instructional Resources
OSHA 10-Hour Construction Industry Outreach Training
Instructional Resources
OSHA 30-Hour Construction Industry Outreach Training
This course is an in-depth presentation of the OSHA construction regulations and their implementation at job sites. Topics include OSHA standards; recordkeeping; safety, health and environmental controls; fire prevention; personal protective equipment; hand and power tools; scaffolding; and excavations. This course must be taught by an OSHA-authorized instructor. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a card from OSHA verifying their completion of the course.
Instructional Resources
OSHA Hazard Communication Standard/Right-to-Know
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires employers to develop a written hazard communication program for their employees and to inform and train them. This course provides an overview of the standard, collection and retention of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), proper storage procedures, labeling and placarding systems, employee training, and documentation.
Instructional Resources
Confined Space Awareness, Entry, and Rescue Training (29 CFR 1910.146)
There are different levels of confined space training, ranging from awareness to entry to rescue. Confined space awareness training covers classroom instruction including hazards, monitoring, and permit systems entry and exit procedures. Entry equipment, ventilation equipment, retrieval systems, and monitoring equipment are introduced to all participants. Confined space entry is a combination of hands-on training and classroom instruction covering hazards, monitoring, permit systems entry and exit procedures, and non-entry rescue techniques. Entry equipment, ventilation equipment, retrieval systems, and monitoring equipment are used by all participants.
Instructional Resources
Equipment
Significant equipment, apparatus, and supplies are required to complete the confined space entry training. They include tripod and winch, full-body harness with associated retrieval equipment, and various pieces of hardware and software associated with lifting personnel into and out of vertical and horizontal confined space environments.
Respiratory Protection Training
This course is designed to meet the training requirements of OSHA's respiratory protection standard, 29 CFR 1910.134. Topics include training of employees in the proper use of respirators, including putting on and removing them, and any limitations on their use; procedures for selecting respirators for use in the workplace; medical evaluations of employees required to use respirators; fit testing procedures for tight-fitting respirators; and cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding, and otherwise maintaining respiratory equipment. Quantitative and/or qualitative fit testing will be conducted at the conclusion of the training session. Medical approval for respirator use is required.
Instructional Resources
Equipment
Select respirators based on the respiratory hazards to which students/workers may be exposed. If the types of respiratory hazards may vary greatly, include a variety of respirators. Note: Respirators must be certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
DOT-Required Hazardous Materials Training
Current U.S. Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) require training of any employee who works in a shipping, receiving, or material handling area, or who may be involved in preparing or transporting hazardous materials. Topics include using a hazardous materials table, shipping papers, and preparation of packages for shippers and handlers.
Instructional Resources
Equipment and Supplies
DOT labels, DOT placards, DOT hazmat packaging, and examples of shipping papers.
Asbestos Awareness and Abatement Training
Asbestos Related Training Information (http://www.healthyhomestraining.org/curriculum/asbestos.htm)
In 1986, President Reagan signed the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act which called upon EPA to provide a comprehensive framework to address asbestos in public places, especially in public and private primary and secondary schools. In 1987, EPA published 40 CFR Vol. 50 No. 210 which laid the groundwork for the development of an EPA model accreditation and training program. In subsequent years, states established accreditation programs for training and certification of asbestos abatement personnel at least as stringent as the federal model. Since that time, EPA has taken the primary role in developing an asbestos abatement training and control program. The Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act of 1990 (ASHARA) combined with provisions of (AHERA), mandated EPA to develop a Model Accreditation Plan. The Model Accreditation Plan contains requirements for training providers and curriculum, and provides for approved courses nationwide.
The importance of AHERA and ASHARA to Brownfields training is that training of abatement workers in this field must be from an approved program by certified instructional staff. Because responsibility for asbestos abatement was promulgated to states for implementation, programs interested in finding training providers should contact the state DNR, EPA, or health department for certified training providers.
Instructional Resources
Training Providers
Lead-Based Paint Awareness, Sampling, and Abatement Training
Lead, like asbestos, is recognized as a health hazard and is subject to environmental health and safety regulations.
In 1988, Congress directed EPA with a memorandum of understanding to provide HUD with technical and program support to develop a program for lead abatement and training similar to the asbestos program. By 1989, EPA and HUD had developed guidelines for public outreach and accreditation of lead abatement personnel. In subsequent years, EPA established university-based training centers to develop model training materials and to train lead abatement personnel. Additional funding was provided organized labor to establish training programs for union workers.
Since the enactment of the Residential Lead-Based Pain Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, HUD has taken primary responsibility for lead training and hazard control as it relates to residential housing. Most recently EPA, HUD, OSHA, NIEHS, state agencies, and organized labor have all participated in various aspects of lead awareness and abatement worker training. As in the case of Asbestos training, organizations participating in lead worker training must check with state and local DNR, EPA, and health agencies to determine trainer and worker certification requirements. If out-of-state training providers are used, as in the case of asbestos training, reciprocity agreements must exist.
Instructional Resources
Training Providers
Radon Training
Radon, like other gaseous pollutants, has been studied and standards developed by the EPA, as mandated by Congress. The EPA maintains primary responsibility for radon programs, but has not developed model training curriculum similar to lead and asbestos, nor has it provided for certified trainers. Some states may have certified radon training programs. Check the DNR or health department Web sites for each specific state.
Instructional Resources
Training Providers
Mold and Moisture Control Training
Mold and moisture control is an indoor air quality and health issue rather than an ambient air quality issue, as traditionally addressed by the EPA. Mold and moisture control, unlike lead, asbestos, and radon, does not have a base of legislation on which to build. For that reason most mold detection and remediation training has been developed by private organizations. As of 2004, there are no state or federal regulations or standards for accreditation of training providers that offer mold evaluation and control courses. Neither are there mandatory training requirements or a minimum course of study for those wishing to enter into or maintain professional status as a "Mold Evaluation" and/or "Mold Remediation" contractor.
Certifications are available from various private organizations and not from federal authorities at this time. Generally, these certifications fall into two categories:
Training in mold and moisture control, thus far, has fallen into three topical areas:
Some states may have certified mold training programs. Check the DNR or health department Web sites for each specific state.
Instructional Resources
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
This course covers construction safety and health principles and OSHA policies, procedures, and construction industry standards. Special emphasis is placed on the most hazardous areas using OSHA standards as a guide. This course must be taught by an OSHA-authorized instructor. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a card from OSHA verifying their completion of the course.