Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
4.1. AREAS OF SAFETY CONCERN
There are five areas of safety to consider in sampling a contaminated field. The first
consideration is the safety of the personnel doing the sampling. What kinds of hazards
will personnel likely be exposed to? Will the fields contain fumes from gases, liquids, or
solids? Will they encounter flammable, toxic, or corrosive liquids? Will dangerous solids
be present? Answering these questions will allow for the development of good safety
measures. The second part of this is to ask, “Do the personnel have the training and
expertise to be in the field and work with the components there, including sampling
equipment, without contaminating themselves and others?”
A second essential component in answering the above questions is to consider the level
of contamination likely to be encountered. Areas containing high levels of contamination
are more dangerous than less contaminated areas. These areas require more exacting
safety precautions, and equipment and safety must be more carefully thought out. In no
case, however, no matter how safe or how uncontaminated a field seems, should safety be
taken for granted.
The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard 29
CRF 1910.132 contains a requirement for a prework personal protection equipment (PPE)
assessment. This consists of filling out a personal protective hazard assessment
worksheet, such as that shown in Table 4.1. This sheet needs to be filled out and signed
by the person doing the sampling to make sure that he or she fully understands the safety
requirements. Note that not all hazards and not all PPE will be needed with
TABLE 4.1 An Example of a Hazard and Personal Protection Worksheet
Hazard and PPE* Assessment Work Sheet
Field Location:
Date, Name and Signature of Individual Completing Assessment
Anticipated Hazards Associated with Sampling. Check all that apply.
[] Chemical
[] Compression
[] Respiration
[] Impact
[] Atmospheric
[] Splash
[] Penetration
[] Noise
[] Light(optical)
[] Electrical
[] Engulfment
[] Laceration
[] Heat/Cold
[] Radiation
[] Bloodborne
All PPE* required for safe sampling
Head
Eye
Ear
Respiratory
 
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