NIOSH testimony to DOL on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration notice of proposed rulemaking on hazardous waste operations and emergency response by R. A. Lemen, October 14, 1987

Technical Report · Wed Oct 14 00:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6073772

The testimony discussed the views of NIOSH concerning worker safety in waste operations and emergency response. The past work of NIOSH in this area includes publications and recommendations made to other agencies. Chemical and physical agents at hazardous waste operations should be controlled so that workers are not exposed to concentrations that exceed the NIOSH recommended exposure limits (RELs). All dermal contact with substances that may harm the skin or be absorbed through it should be avoided. Exposure to biological agents should be controlled. Industrial hygiene monitoring data must be used as the basis for decision making at hazardous waste sites, including decisions on medical surveillance and the selection of personal protective equipment and clothing. Employers should institute a medical surveillance program for all workers who may be exposed to chemical, physical or biological agents at hazardous waste operations. Employers must provide personal protective equipment when there is a potential for hazardous exposure which cannot be controlled by engineering methods or work practices.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6073772
• Report Number(s): PB-91-152496/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
DECISION MAKING
EMERGENCY PLANS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE
MEDICINE
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NIOSH
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
PERSONNEL
RESPIRATORS
SAFETY STANDARDS
STANDARDS
US DOL
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT