SITE CHARACTERIZATION
OSHA 1910.120
HAZWOPER
PURPOSE:
PROVIDES THE INFORMATION NECESSARY TO
IDENTIFY SITE HAZARDS AND TO SELECT
WORKER PROTECTION METHODS.
GOAL:
OBTAIN ACCURATE, DETAILED, AND
COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION TO TAILOR
THE PROTECTIVE MEASURES TO THE ACTUAL
POTENTIAL HAZARDS AT THE SITE.
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Incident Commander, Supervisor, Project
Manager, with support from:
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Chemist
Industrial Hygienists
Geologists
Safety Personnel
Toxicologists
Three Phases of
Site Characterization
• Offsite characterization prior to site
entry.
• Onsite Survey
• Ongoing Characterization
GOAL
• Gather as much information as possible
so hazards are evaluated and preliminary
site controls and personal protection
measure are established:
– Focus on potential inhalation hazards, IDLH
situations or other dangerous situations such
as:
• Explosive/Flammable Situations
• Extremely Hazardous Situations
• Dead animals, Dead Vegetation, Discolored Soils
Two Methods To Obtain
Information
• Interviews/Records Review
• Perimeter Reconnaissance
ONSITE SURVEY
• Look, feel, listen, smell.
• Use BUDDY system.
• Note types of containers, impoundment or
storage systems.
• Note Condition of Containers.
• Note Physical Condition of the Materials.
• Identify Natural Wind Barriers & Wind
Direction.
• Determine Potential Pathways or Dispersion.
ONSITE SURVEY, continued
• Collect Samples.
• Use Remote Sensing Equipment if
Warranted.
• Note any Safety Hazards.
• Identify Reactive, Incompatible,
Flammable, or Highly Corrosive Wastes.
• Note Tags, Labels, Markings or other
Identifying Markers.
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
GATHERED
• Ensures Accurate Communication.
• Ensures Data Quality.
• Documents Rationale for Protective
Measures.