Written Safety-and-Health Program for TSD Facilities
Employers must have a written safety-and-health program to protect employees who may be exposed to hazardous substances at Treatment, Storage, and Disposal (TSD) facilities.
Purpose of the Program:
- Identify, evaluate, and control safety and health hazards at the site
- Ensure prompt and effective response to emergencies
Site Analysis at TSD Facilities
Before employees begin work at a new site, a designated qualified person must perform a preliminary site evaluation to:
- Identify specific hazards employees may encounter
- Determine the necessary engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect employees
This evaluation should include:
- IDLH areas – immediately dangerous to life and health
- Areas that exceed published exposure limits
- Areas with radioactive exposure above permissible dose limits
A detailed site evaluation must be conducted soon after employees begin work to ensure continued safety.
Criteria the Site Analysis Must Include
- Description of possible emergencies at the site
- Roles and authority of emergency personnel
- Communication procedures during emergencies
- Procedures for reporting emergencies to local, state, and federal agencies
- Emergency zones, safe distances, and evacuation areas
- Security and control measures during emergencies
- Site evacuation procedures and routes
- Availability of emergency-response equipment
- Procedures for medical treatment and first aid
- Emergency decontamination procedures
- Training requirements for employees responding to emergencies
- Criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the plan
Employee Awareness:
Employers must inform employees about the chemical, physical, and toxic properties of hazardous substances they may encounter before they begin work at the site.