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.

These chemicals can become airborne, reaching coastal towns and beaches in the form of a strong petroleum odor. Breathing the air is only one way to be exposed. Those working directly in and around the spill residue may experience skin contact, and possible contamination from eating food from sources subject to contamination. The toxicity of exposure depends on the duration and and concentrations of the poisons, and varies by location.

People frustrated by bureaucratic delays may question the need for lengthy training when there are so many individuals ready to help. After all, don’t oil workers face the same environmental dangers on a daily basis without problems? The difference is the type of toxins present, and the levels of exposure. Rig workers are familiar with all the dangers, and learn to avoid them. Cleanup workers unaccustomed to contact with petroleum may experience respiratory distress, fatigue, nausea, headaches or dizziness, and these symptoms may increase over time.

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”.

Covered in these training sessions are lessons in toxicology, and poisonous hazard recognition. Students are taught to analyze the potential for hazards, including those from radioactive sources. They learn how to operate while wearing personal protective equipment and devices for respiratory protection. Site control and decontamination processes are emphasized, as is air monitoring and medical surveillance of those already exposed. Other topics include emergency procedures and materials sampling from affected areas, and how to use protective clothing while undertaking 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

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