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Appendix D - Training Program
Other Hazards at Waste Sites / First Aid
Objectives/Samples of Behavior:
Determine the biological, physical, and safety hazards which may be present.
List the types of heat and cold disorders and their signs.
List the goals of first aid.
Biological Hazards
Animal bites/stings
Nuisance - bees, wasps, scorpions (1st aid)
Diseases - ticks, mosquitoes, skunks, foxes
Sensitivity reactions/shock - most common / biggest hazard
Toxic effects
Plants - direct contact - which plants?
Skin - inflammation/ermatitis - protective clothing, decon, washing
Sanitation - water borne, food borne diseases - types? - lavatory facilities
Microbial hazards
Chemical AND biological mixture - sewage
Pathogens - neutral pH (7) - chemical neutralization effects? - normal decon procedure effects?
Medical/infectious wastes - pathogens in blood, sputum, feces, urine - controls, practic3es, equipment in 29 CFR 1910.1030.
Heat and Cold Stress
Effects of heat on the body
Protection from excess heat:
Blood flow changes - dissipates heat - flushing/reddening (extreme)
Perspiration - evaporation
Protective clothing problems
Major disorders
Heat cramps - painful muscle spasms
lot of sweat, lot of water drinking
No eletrolyte replacement
Dilutes extracellular fluids (less salt)
Water seeps into active muscles
Fatigued muscles most affected
Heat exhaustion - fatigue, dizziness, nausea, headache
Defenses beginning to fail
Skin clammy, moist, and pale, body temp - normal
Rest in cool place, replace fluids
No permanent effects
Heat stroke - mental confusion, unconsciousness, convulsions
Very serious - heat regulation failed
Skin hot, dry, red
Treat fast - death, brain damage
Remove to cool place, reduce body heat (water, fan)
Major contributing factors:
Temperature of environment
Physical effort needed for task including how fast work is done
Number of hours worked
Fluid / electrolye replacement
Cold Stress
Frostbite - most common - extremities
Pale or gray-yellow skin area, pain at first (may be none), cold & numb
Victim to warm shelter
Frozen parts in warm water (100-105) - not hot
Do not rub or massage
Bandage parts, gauze between toes/fingers
Hypothermia
Core temp below 94 degrees F
Slow breathing, slufrred speech, tired
Insulate from cold ground, wind
Warm slowly (e.g. bath)
General Safety
Being secure from injury or loss
Offensive - protection for actions you can control
Defensive - awareness of situations others may create.
Be careful that actions to protect one person do not set up a threat to others
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Reduces dexterity
Narrows field of vision
Tough on com
Increased heat stress
Clothing away from drums
Trips, slips, falls (striking injuries)
Higher risks - why?
Causes
Prevention
Unsafe conditions
Unsafe acts (awareness)
Gas/electric pumps
Non-sparking tools only
Drum plug wrench
Drum Deheader
Manual drum up-ender
Ground equipment (static electricity)
Buddy system
Pressurized containers
Opening containers/drums (standing H2O)
Handling
Containers meet DOT, OSHA, EPA, regs
Inspect prior to moving, or
If not possible, move to accessibel area & inspect before more handling
Unlabeled containers - hazardous
Organize to minimize container movement
Warn of hazards prior to moving
Storage
Major spills possible - spill containment program for entire volume
Bad containers - empty into sound container (proper type)
Removing soil or covering material - prevent container rupture
Fire extinguishing equip on hand
Shipment
ID & classify containers prior to shipment
Keep staging areas to minimum
Staging areas must have adequate access/egress routes
Bulking of HW only after thorough characterization
First Aid Requirements
20 CFR 1926.50
Medical personnel for consult
Provisions for prompt medical care prior to start
First aid - immediate temporary care before doctor - state law defines limits of first aid - transport without complicating injury
29 CFR 1910.151
Flushing facilities - eyes and body
Eyewashes & drench showers
Goals
Care for life threatening conditions
Make victim comfortable
Transport so as not to complicate injuries