HAZWOPER - A slick guide to oil cleanup!

Your role

If you’re not trained, you need to avoid cleaning up spills. Only trained personnel at the responder level can clean up oil spills. If you respond, you must be given:

• A briefing at the site by the agency in charge.
• A briefing on emergency procedures under the site-specific HASP.
• Instruction on wearing the appropriate PPE.
• An explanation of what duties you need to perform.
• Instruction on decontamination procedures.

Do’s and don’ts

Work safely at oil clean-up sites. Follow the guide below.

DO: Follow safety precautions identified on the SDS.

DON’T: Handle unmarked, unlabeled, or damaged containers.

DO: Use the decontamination procedures set by your employer.

DON’T: Eat, drink, or use the bathroom without decontaminating yourself.

DO: Refer to warning labels, such as the NFPA 704 or OSHA’s HazCom labels, on chemical containers.

DON’T: Ignore warning labels or other signs.

DO: Identify each liquid or substance you’ll work with on site.

DON’T: Stand in or come in contact with unknown liquids or substances.