First Responder Awareness Level training is required for individuals who are likely to witness or discover a hazardous substance release and who would take no action beyond notification of the proper authorities. Even if you do not have a spill team and do not plan to respond to spill emergencies, your employees might need First Responder Awareness Level training. This training potentially could include everyone from the chemical operator to the security guard, mail clerk and salesperson. Almost every organization has Hazardous Materials in their workplace in some form. It could be cleaners, battery acid, fuel for vehicles, or a variety of others. OSHA requires all employers to provide Hazard Communication or HAZWOPER training for new employees and additional training when new hazards enter the work force.
OSHA requires, for any worker who has the potential for exposures to hazardous materials, Hazardous Material Awareness Training under 29 CFR 1910.120, which is referred to by many as HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response.) Workers trained to the Awareness Level can identify the potential hazards of the chemical, make required notifications regarding the release, and isolate or evacuate the area as necessary. Many industries combine their HazCom and HazMat Awareness Training as part of a comprehensive new-employee orientation program. Most awareness training programs can be completed in 8 classroom hours.
The goal of this course is to bring personnel to, at a minimum, the recognized United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness Training Level (1910.120(q)(6)(i)). Per this legislation, first responders at the awareness level are individuals who are likely to witness or discover a hazardous substance release and who have been trained to initiate an emergency response sequence by notifying the proper authorities of the release. They would take no further action beyond notifying the authorities of the release. First responders at the awareness level shall have sufficient training or have had sufficient experience to objectively demonstrate competency in the following areas:
- 1910.120(q)(6)(i)(A)
An understanding of what hazardous substances are, and the risks associated with them in an incident. - 1910.120(q)(6)(i)(B)
An understanding of the potential outcomes associated with an emergency created when hazardous substances are present. - 1910.120(q)(6)(i)(C)
The ability to recognize the presence of hazardous substances in an emergency. - 1910.120(q)(6)(i)(D)
The ability to identify the hazardous substances, if possible. - 1910.120(q)(6)(i)(E)
An understanding of the role of the first responder awareness individual in the employer's emergency response plan including site security and control and the U.S. Department of Transportation's Emergency Response Guidebook. - 1910.120(q)(6)(i)(F)
The ability to realize the need for additional resources, and to make appropriate notifications to the communication center.
None required.
