Application of HAZWOPER (1910.120) to terrorist and weapons of mass destruction incident responses.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

 

Application of OSHA standards to escape and protection of employees from threats associated with terrorist actions.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

May 24, 2004

The Honorable Russell D. Feingold
United States Senator
1600 Aspen Commons
Room 100
Middleton, WI 53562

Dear Senator Feingold:

Requirements for emergency response and planning under the Process Safety Management Standard.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

June 24, 2003

Mr. John E. Hudson, Jr.
Safety Associates
P.O. Box 357520
Gainesville, FL 32635

Dear Mr. Hudson:

Evaluation of a box van of a truck carrying hazardous materials meeting the definition of a confined space in a hazardous material release/response situation.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

March 8, 2005

Mr. Ron Sands
HSE Solutions, Inc.
124 Rodney Avenue
Walnut, Illinois 61376-9912

Dear Mr. Sands:

Thank you for your letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) Calumet City Area Office. Your letter has been referred to the OSHA's Directorate of Enforcement Program's (DEP's) Office of General Industry Enforcement for an answer to your question regarding OSHA's permit-required confined spaces standard 29 CFR 1910.146. Your scenario and question has been restated below for clarity.

Applicable regulations when handling waste material classified as "sludge exempt" in regards to the Hazard Communication and HAZWOPER standards.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.


June 23, 2005

Mr. Kenneth W. Woodlin
P.O. Box 717
Pittsburgh, PA 15230

Dear Mr. Woodlin:

Requirement for employer to assess potential hazards of handling trailer debris to provide necessary PPE and hazard communication information to affected employees.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.


July 3, 2007

Mr. Rick Poulos
P.O. Box 7192
Hudson, FL 34676

Dear Mr. Poulos:

Clarification of HAZWOPER training requirements as they apply to an employee of the town of Windsor, VT.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.


December 4, 2007

Mr. Don Howard, Town Administrator
Town of Windsor
P.O. Box 47
29 Union Street
Windsor, VT 05089

Dear Mr. Howard:

Whether firefighters trained to the HAZWOPER awareness level can respond to emergency releases of hazardous substances.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

March 14, 2007

Mr. Robert Minter
Fire and Emergency Service Instructor I
388 Green Hill Lane
Wallingford, Vermont 05773

Dear Mr. Minter,

Requirements for annual refresher training under OSHA's HAZWOPER standard.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.


July 25, 2007

Mr. Ron Snyder
Program Director
Midwest OSHA Education Center
Kirkwood Community College
6301 Kirkwood Blvd., SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406

Dear Mr. Snyder:

Use of a "hybrid" course to meet training requirements for both a general site worker and a hazardous materials technician under HAZWOPER.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.


April 28, 2008

Mr. Robert E. Carson, CIH
Tetra Tech NUS Inc.
1920 Radcliff Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45204

Dear Mr. Carson: