When you entire a new job site, you never know what you’ll find. OSHA hard hat rules may or may not mandate the use of head protection, but that’s not your only concern.

The types of hazards most often noted for hazardous waste sites are comparable to those on construction sites, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. These include electrical, excavation, walking/working surfaces, lockout/tag out, cranes and other material handling equipment, hand-and-portable-powered tools and tools used to weld and cut.

What is Hazardous Waste?

Defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a waste with properties that make it dangerous or capable of having a detrimental impact on human health or the environment, hazardous waste comes from many sources. This can include everything from industrial manufacturing process wastes to batteries, and may be found in liquids, solids, gases and sludges, according to the EPA.

Working amid hazardous waste can be incredibly dangerous. For example, workers suffer from 190,000 illnesses and 50,000 deaths per year related to chemical exposure, according to OSHA. These exposures have been connected to cancers, as well as diseases of the lung, kidney, heart, stomach, brain, nerve and reproductive system.

Understanding risks you face from hazardous waste on your worksite can literally be a matter of life and death. Being informed about the dangers in front of you allows you to take proper precautions to protect yourself from harm.

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response

OSHA has specific standards for general industry and the construction industry regarding hazardous waste operations and emergency response. Applicable employers are required to have several protections in place, including:

  • A written, comprehensive safety and health program that’s readily available
  • A preliminary site evaluation conducted by a qualified professional
  • A site control program to safeguard employees from hazardous contamination
  • Training for all employees
  • Medical surveillance for exposed workers.
  • Controls to monitor and reduce levels of hazardous materials
  • An informational program dedicated to any onsite exposure
  • Inspection of drums and containers before they’re opened or removed

If you’re searching for a new manufacturing or engineering job, it’s important to find an employer that values safety. Premium Staffing, Inc. only partners with Chicago-area employers that put workers first, so feel confident in knowing you’re in good hands. Contact us today to start your search!

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