Unfortunately the regulations do not differentiate between a large or smaller spill. We have gone round and around on spill teams and currently management did not want to invest in them. The down-side is that your facility may be shut down for the time period to get a responder in. It would also need to be clear on what your employees can handle as part of regular HazCom safety training. We met with a responder and went over this. In order to have a spill team, some of the requirements are: -Equipment (personal gear, ~$500; response supplies (tubs, tarps, etc., $500-$1000) -Members pass a medical physical initially and every 1-2 years. -In emergency response plan, include 6-well developed scenarios. -4-gas meter: confirm not explosive; calibration and order an O2 sensor every year. -training: -24 hour initial training. If someone has other training, someone from your facility needs to be willing to sign off that the person is competent. Usually just do the 24-hour class. $5-$8000 for 6-16 people. -SCBA: initial training, then practice monthly until all can do everything. -Emergency response team level B - Advanced first aid, search & rescue, etc. When having a responder come in you would still need to be prepared at the Awareness and Operational level of response. I hope this helps. Steve LaCroix Quality Assurance and Safety Officer Department of Health Epidemiology, Health Statistics, and Public Health Laboratories 1610 NE 150th St. Shoreline, WA 98155 Phone: (206) 418-5437 Cell: 206-391-9025 FAX: (206) 418-5485 email: steve.lacroix**At_Symbol_Here**doh.wa.gov ergonomic information: http://dohweb/Risk/Ergonomicsnew.htm "The Department of Health works to protect and improve the health of people in Washington State" -----Original Message----- From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Patricia Peifer Sent: Monday, December 07, 2009 12:00 PM To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: [DCHAS-L] Lab Spill Team I work in a small lab (about 65 people) with minimal potential for large spills. The largest spill we have had since I have been here is 4 liters of methylene chloride. We could have a bigger spill but it is extremely unlikely. We have a spill team composed of 5 lab employees (including myself) who get asked to deal with the bigger spills, such as the 4 L of methylene chloride. The spill team has respirators and gets fit tested every year. We also have a spill training session each year, about 1 hour long. If we have a spill that we cannot handle, we have an ourside contractor we plan on calling. I have been told I should be having the entire spill team take the 24 hour HAZWOPER course with an annual refresher. That will be a hard sell for me to management unless it is absolutely required. I do feel that we should have more than the one hour we typically have, though. If the 24-hour HAZWOPER is not absolutely required, I would like to have someone come in and give us a half-day (at least) of spill training. So, two questions: Does anyone know if I have been told the correct information about the need for the 24 hour HAZWOPER? Does anyone know of a good person to contact in Eastern Pennsylvania about spill training? Thanks, Pat Pat Peifer Project Manager, Safety & Training
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