Pleasant Ranch

The long-term need for qualified, adequately prepared and trained environmental cleanup workers has been highlighted by the ongoing deep-water oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. The oil spill in that region put many fisherman and others making a living from the sea out of business, but ironically created many temporary jobs for those involved in cleanup operations. Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, or HAZWOPER training, instructs people in correct toxic cleanup procedures before they are allowed to come into direct contact with poisonous crude oil.

When these chemicals get dispersed by wind they reach beaches and coastal towns with a characteristic strong odor of petroleum. This allows anyone who breathes the air to experience varying levels of toxicity. Others are vulnerable to skin contact with floating crude, or eat seafood that may be subject to petroleum pollution. Concentrations of toxins varies by area, and danger levels rise with increased exposure.

Doesn’t an emergency of this magnitude require bypassing bureaucratic roadblocks, especially when so many volunteers are eager to help? Don’t oil workers get immersed in the same chemicals without much ill effect? The truth is that chronic and acute exposure carries many health dangers. Those exposed to crude petroleum over a period of time usually ingest chemicals at low levels. But, even these small amounts can cause immediately noticeable symptoms, including severe fatigue, respiratory distress, headaches, nausea or dizziness. Cumulative effects are even more alarming.

Some people may suffer from acute exposure, which means direct contact with this contamination, either through food, air or water. There is no system in our bodies or in most living organisms that does not suffer from this type of poison. The skin and mucous membranes sustain immediate degradation when directly exposed to crude. Long term damage increases the probability that future medical problems may arise. These may include problems with blood disorders, lung, liver and kidney failure, infertility, hormonal disruptions, genetic mutations, and of course, cancers.

The common factor in all these areas of cleanup management is the need for adequately trained and protected individuals. Because it is so toxic, cleanup cannot be safely undertaken by casually instructed residents, even though they may wish to help. The key to safe and successful toxic removal is the HAZWOPER program. This series of courses, which is sponsored by OSHA (the U. S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration), has distinct levels of training required for Gulf responders. The first one lasts a total of twenty-four hours, and is aimed at workers or supervisors who will be exposed to toxins under the permissible exposure limits (PEL). Drivers, managers, or surveyors fall into this category.

The longer course can be completed with forty hours of training, and is vital for anyone coming into direct contact with spilled crude. This includes emergency response teams, voluntary workers, and those involved in the treatment, storage and disposal of the toxins. Workers are taught how to avoid injury even while working to safely remove those chemicals from the environment. Those responsible for actually stopping the spill are categorized by OSHA as “emergency responders”, while those working to protect and clean beaches and marshes are part of “post emergency cleanup operations”.

There are also lessons in toxicology and the recognition of poisonous hazards, which includes analysis of hazard potential, including those from radioactive sources. Students learn how to effectively wear respiratory devices and protective suits. Decontamination and site control methods are stressed, as is medical surveillance for exposed individuals, and constant air monitoring. There is instruction in materials sampling and emergency procedures, with advice on wearing protective clothing during cleanup.

Training is ongoing, and periodic HAZWOPER refresher courses are required. As the current Gulf situation demonstrates, safe dispersal of such a massive and deadly spill demands adequate protection and training for cleanup workers. Those who wish to pursue this training should check HAZWOPER training internet sites, and choose a course that is OSHA recognized and certified. There will, unfortunately, always be a demand for personnel trained in toxic cleanup, and it is better to be prepared ahead of time for the next disaster.

Be ready and know your emergency response plans are complete before an emergency happens. For information and resources about emergency response planning, please visit http://www.emergency-response-planning.com