Water Resources--Office of Water Quality

9.1 SAFETY POLICIES, REGULATIONS, AND REQUIREMENTS

The information presented has been summarized from more detailed reports (referenced below) and from field experience, in order to make essential safety guidelines readily accessible to the field team at the time of sampling. USGS employees are encouraged to become familiar with the policies, regulations, and requirements provided in documents published by the U.S. Department of the Interior, the USGS, and other Federal agencies.

9.1.1 USGS AND FEDERAL POLICIES

The USGS, as a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), structures its safety program using DOI safety guidelines. These guidelines are described in the Departmental Manual handbook titled Safety and Health Handbook (485 DM) (U.S. Department of the Interior, 1991), which is updated periodically to reflect current DOI policies. USGS safety policies and regulations are found in USGS Handbook 445-1-H, the Safety and Environmental Health Handbook (U.S. Geological Survey, 1989), and in USGS Handbook 445-2-H, the USGS Occupational Hazards and Safety Procedures Handbook (U.S. Geological Survey, December 1993). Additional safety requirements are described in A Guide to Safe Field Operations (Yobbi and others, 1996), and in Water Resources Division (WRD) numbered memorandums (see "Selected References and Internal Documents"). A safety officer is designated in each District and Region of the USGS, Water Resources Division, to provide additional information and guidance.

Consult the DOI and USGS publications cited above for detailed information on safety issues, including the following topics:

Chemical hygiene plan.

Hazard communication, handling of waste materials, and hazardous waste sites.

Exposure to ionizing radiation.

Blasting and firearms.

Hearing conservation.

Reporting accidents and unsafe conditions.

Numerous safety and environmental laws are regulated and enforced by Federal, State, and local governments. Recent congressional acts, such as the Federal Facility Compliance Act of 1991, require Federal agencies to comply with Federal, State, and local regulations. Many USGS and DOI policies reflect compliance with U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. State and local governments and USGS and DOI safety programs can supplement but cannot supersede Federal OSHA, EPA, or DOT regulations.

OSHA policies are found in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) title 29---Labor, parts 1900-1910 (U.S. Department of Labor, 1995). This volume defines general industry safety requirements. For example, 29 CFR 1910.132 describes Federal requirements for personal protective equipment.

EPA policies are described in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) title 40 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1995). For example, 40 CFR 260-272, under direction of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976, regulates toxic substances control and hazardous waste disposal (including small-quantity exemptions). Many USGS memos concerning handling and disposal of chemicals reference 40 CFR.

DOT policies are found in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) title 49 (U.S. Department of Transportation, 1995). DOT regulates transportation of hazardous materials by authority of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA) of 1974. For example, 49 CFR, parts 171-177, give transportation guidelines which include material description and classification, packaging and package labeling, and quantity limitations.

9.1.2 JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS

Many accidents and injuries can be prevented by analyzing and communicating hazards. A job hazard analysis (JHA) identifies hazards and describes actions to avoid mishaps. For example, JHA's are used to determine and document the proper personal protective equipment required for the job. JHA program requirements are given in DOI Departmental Manual 485, chap. 14, and in USGS Handbook 445-2-H, chap. 2.

JHA components include:

The sequence of steps associated with an activity.

Identification of hazards involved for each step.

Determination of controls needed to eliminate or reduce the hazard.

Visit the field site, if possible, to be sure that you and your equipment can get to, sample at, and leave the site safely. Talk to employees who may have visited the site---you might receive your most valuable safety information from them. Always check the study workplan, field folder and site records, and other available information before departure.

9.1.3 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is defined as safety equipment for your skin, eyes, ears, face, head, extremities, and respiration (see USGS Handbook 445-1-H, chap. 9 and OSHA 29 CFR 1910, Subpart I). The USGS is required to supply PPE, and you are required to use it!

Proper PPE selection is based on the hazards likely to be encountered, as well as compliance with regulatory safety requirements. Examples of PPE are cited throughout this chapter (see sections 9.4, 9.6, and 9.11.1).

TECHNICAL NOTE: Respirators might be required to ensure protection from some chemical and biological hazards. You must be medically approved, trained, and tested for fit before using a respirator. If one is needed, follow USGS policy given in USGS Handbook 445-2-H, chap. 5. Do not share a respirator.

9.1.4 TRAINING

Field personnel must be aware of safety training requirements and certification or recertification needed to perform specific tasks. For example,

Personnel who operate government-owned or leased vehicles must be certified and periodically recertified in defensive driving.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other first-aid certification and recertification are mandatory for field personnel.

Safety training and certification requirements, recommendations, and opportunities are subject to change---check with your safety officer periodically to keep current with prevailing requirements.

Section 9.2

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Last Modified: Apr. 15, 2002 (Refer to Errata)

	Chemical hygiene plan.
	Hazard communication, handling of waste materials, and hazardous waste sites.
	Exposure to ionizing radiation.
	Blasting and firearms.
	Hearing conservation.
	Reporting accidents and unsafe conditions.

	OSHA policies are found in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) title 29---Labor, parts 1900-1910 (U.S. Department of Labor, 1995). This volume defines general industry safety requirements. For example, 29 CFR 1910.132 describes Federal requirements for personal protective equipment.
	EPA policies are described in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) title 40 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1995). For example, 40 CFR 260-272, under direction of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976, regulates toxic substances control and hazardous waste disposal (including small-quantity exemptions). Many USGS memos concerning handling and disposal of chemicals reference 40 CFR.
	DOT policies are found in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) title 49 (U.S. Department of Transportation, 1995). DOT regulates transportation of hazardous materials by authority of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA) of 1974. For example, 49 CFR, parts 171-177, give transportation guidelines which include material description and classification, packaging and package labeling, and quantity limitations.

	The sequence of steps associated with an activity.
	Identification of hazards involved for each step.
	Determination of controls needed to eliminate or reduce the hazard.

	Personnel who operate government-owned or leased vehicles must be certified and periodically recertified in defensive driving.
	Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other first-aid certification and recertification are mandatory for field personnel.