Hazards from site services

The analysis of site services can include those facilities that could pose a hazard to the research reactor (such as the failure of a large gas pipeline) and also the availabiUty of those services necessary to the research reactor s safety systems (such as water supply). 

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OSHA (29CFR1910.1200) requires that hazards from all materials produced or imported to the plant be evaluated and that this hazard information be disseminated to all affected personnel. This should include not only plant personnel but also employees of outside contractors. By the same token, the outside contractor must communicate in advance the hazards from materials imported to the site during the execution of the contractor s services. The use of MSDS and labeling for hazard communication is described in Chapter 2. 

Traffic control will be planned in liaison with local authority and police. First-aid, welfare and emergency requirements will be assessed at the planning stage. Plans must be obtained to locate any existing hazards from services. Safe pedestrian routes will be planned. COSHH, manual handling, PPE and noise assessments must be reviewed, brought to site and the information passed to workers. 

The chemical companies maintain chemical properties sheets including hazardous quantities. A general listing of companies on the Internet can be reached at web site http //www.neis.com/chemical companies.htmI. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services publishes the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, available from NIOSH Publications Mail Stop C-13,4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226-1998, phone 1-800-35-NIOSH or on the Internet http //www.cds.gov/niosh/homepage.html. 

The process units and ancillary buildings should be laid out to give the most economical flow of materials and personnel around the site. Hazardous processes must be located at a safe distance from other buildings. Consideration must also be given to the future expansion of the site. The ancillary buildings and services required on a site, in addition to the main processing units (buildings), will include ... 

Another major concern is being named as a potentially responsible party (PRP) in a lawsuit to clean up a disposal site. Many generators have paid disposal fees to service companies to legally dispose of their hazardous wastes only to be sued by the Federal EPA. The San Francisco Examiner reported on 12-1-88 that "100 companies to pay 66,000,000 at 190 acre dump operated by Industries, Inc. located in Monterey Park, 10 miles from Los Angeles."... 

Collection of chemical carcinogens, all waste products, animal carcasses and other materials from the laboratory should be performed by designated personnel on a scheduled basis or when necessary. The suspect or carcinogenic materials should not be placed on uncontrolled loading docks for pickup by general refuse collection personnel. At the National Institutes of Health, the special collection of hazardous materials, including chemical carcinogens, is done by personnel of the Fire Department. In the instance of one of the NCI contractor sites, Frederick Cancer Research Center, located at a military post, personnel from the safety offices perform this service. 

A laboratory may dispose of animal waste and refuse on site (e.g., incineration) or may use a contract service for pickup and disposal. Some animal waste and refuse may meet EPA s definition of hazardous waste (e.g., waste or refuse from animals treated with hazardous materials or animals carrying infectious diseases) and must be disposed of in compliance with EPA regulations issued under the RCRA. Waste and refuse from animals treated with radioactive... 

The US Army conducts operations in areas where potential adversaries could use NBC weapons. These weapons range from a megaton nuclear weapon used to destroy an entire city to a barrel of industrial chemicals used to contaminate an important road intersection. In addition to their destructive power, NBC weapons have political, psychological, operational, and strategic impact. The use of passive measures such as proactive NBC defense procedures is a potential tool to reduce the threat of NBC weapons. In the event of the use of NBC weapons, the medical personnel must be prepared to provide a variety of services including medical treatment, site hazard surveys, and medical hazard assessments. 

Outdoor and environmental vagaries, seasonal and temporal variations all create different situations which means that each outdoor trip/activity must be assessed on its own merits. In this sense, it is important that every effort is made by leaders to familiarise themselves with the area to be visited. A pre-visit is recommended so that anticipation of the hazards, both human and environmental, can occur. Depending on the activity, it may also be prudent to seek guidance from local people. Tourist Boards or services. For instance, some remote honey pot sites and car parks are... 

Failure to adequately control energy accounts for many serious accidents at construction sites. Lockout/tagout procedures help safeguard you and fellow employees from the unexpected start-up of machinery or equipment or release of hazardous energy while performing servicing or maintenance tasks. 

Adapted from Appendix B, Classifieation of Etiologie Agents on the Basis of Hazard, NIH Guidelines for Research Invoking Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines), Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, 2013. (http //osp.od.nih.gov/sites/default/files/NIH Guidelines.html). 

A. Response 2 OSHA is precluded from approving or endorsing specific products, services, or analyses. The variable working conditions at job sites and possible alteration or misapplication of an otherwise safe piece of equipment, service, or system, could easily create a hazardous condition. However, where appropriate, we try to give some guidance to help employers assess whether products, services, or analyses are appropriate to use in light of OSHA requirements. 

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