Hazardous materials specialist

The Hazardous Materials Specialist shall meet all of the objectives indicated for the First Responder and Hazardous Materials Technician. In addition, that person shall meet the medical surveillance program requirements in accordance with federal OSHA and EPA regulations. 

The goal of the hazardous materials specialist level is to provide the advanced level response personnel with the following competencies to respond safely to hazardous materials incidents  

4 Handbook of Emergency Response to Toxic Chemical Releases 

Any substance or material in a quantity or form which pxjses an unreasonable risk to health, safety and property when transported in commerce. 

Any substance designated under the Clean Water Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) as posing a threat to waterways and the environment when released. 

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First Responder A trained hazard materials specialist who is first to arrive at a hazard materials incident such as a spill. 

David Hartley is a senior hazardous materials specialist. Alternative Technology Section, Toxic Substances Control Division, California Department of Health Services. 

Hazardous materials specialist Responds with and provides support to hazardous materials technicians, but has advanced knowledge of hazardous materials. Requires 24 hours of Level 3 training and proven competencies, along with advanced instruction, on all specific hazardous material topics. 

OSHA (1910.120 (q)) defines an emergency response to a hazardous substance release as employees engaged in emergency response no matter where it occurs. OSHA separates individuals who respond to these incidents into six levels, each having its own training requirement. OSHA s responder levels are First Responder - Awareness Level First Responder -Operations Level Hazardous Material Technician Hazardous Materials Specialist Incident Commander and Skilled Support Persoimel. 

S Hazardous Materials Specialists These individuals support the technicians but require a more specific knowledge of the substance to be contained. They require 24 hours of training equal to the technician level and must demonstrate competence in certain areas. 

Hazardous Materials Specialists individuals who respond with and provide support to hazardous materials technicians. Their duties parallel those of the hazardous materials technician however, those duties require a more directed or specific knowledge of the various substances they may be called upon to contain. The hazardous materials specialist also serves as the site liaison with Federal, state, local and other government authorities as regards site activities. 

Hazardous materials specialists shall have received at least... 

Be able to select and use proper specialized chemical personal protective equipment provided to the hazardous materials specialist. 

CFR1910.120(q)(9)(I) 4.6.1 Members of an organized and designated HAZMAT team and hazardous materials specialists shall receive a baseline physical examination which shall be performed as described below in sections 4.6.2 through 4.6.8. 

Section 4.6 consolidates the requirements for medical support for chemical emergencies. It includes requirements for medical plarming and treatment for mass casualty situations immediate medical consultation and surveillance baseline physical examinations for hazardous materials response team members and hazardous materials specialists specifications for the treatment of emergency response employees and other detailed requirements for emergency response personnel and other employee medical programs and records. 

Personnel actually working to contain or control the release are the first responder operations level (previously discussed), the hazardous materials technician level, and the hazardous materials specialist. 

Hazardous materials specialists respond and provide support to hazardous materials technicians. Their duties require more specific knowledge of the various substances. They also serve as the site... 

Chemical protective clothing. Chemical protective clothing and equipment to be used by organized and designated HAZMAT team members, or to be used by hazardous materials specialists, shall meet the requirements of paragraphs (g)(3) through (5) of this section. 

Mercury. Mercury is used in some diffusion pumps and in some manometers. Mercury vapor is present whenever mercury is exposed to the air, and prolonged exposure to mercury vapor is harmful. To avoid this exposure, keep unused mercury in tightly sealed containers. Be careful to avoid spills when transferring mercury Work over a pan so that if mercury is spilled it can be easily collected. Refer to disposal of unwanted mercury to hazardous material specialists. 

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