HAZWOPER OSHA Regulations & Standards 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under 29 CFR 1910.120(e)(3)(ii), what reduced initial training applies to workers who have received 24 hours of training and will not be working in areas with exposures above permissible levels?
- No additional training is needed if a supervisor is present
- 24 hours of training plus 1 day of field experience (Correct answer)
- Only refresher training is required
- An additional 8 hours of specialized training
Correct answer: 24 hours of training plus 1 day of field experience
Workers whose exposures will not exceed permissible limits need only 24 hours of training plus 1 day of field experience under the reduced-exposure provision.
Question 2: Which appendix to 29 CFR 1910.120 provides guidance on the selection of chemical protective clothing?
- Appendix A
- Appendix B (Correct answer)
- Appendix C
- Appendix E
Correct answer: Appendix B
Appendix B to 29 CFR 1910.120 provides general description and discussion of chemical protective clothing to assist employers in PPE selection.
Question 3: OSHA's General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act) can be cited on hazardous waste sites when:
- A worker refuses to wear PPE despite training
- A recognized hazard exists for which no specific OSHA standard applies (Correct answer)
- An employer fails to submit required reports to OSHA
- Workers exceed their daily dose of radiation exposure
Correct answer: A recognized hazard exists for which no specific OSHA standard applies
The General Duty Clause allows OSHA to cite employers for recognized hazards that cause or are likely to cause serious harm when no specific standard covers the hazard.
Question 4: Under 29 CFR 1910.120(i), what is required regarding informational programs for on-site workers and their representatives?
- Monthly safety meetings must be documented and filed with OSHA
- Workers must be informed of the nature, level, and degree of exposure to hazardous substances (Correct answer)
- All workers must sign a waiver acknowledging hazardous conditions
- Informational programs must be approved by the EPA before site work begins
Correct answer: Workers must be informed of the nature, level, and degree of exposure to hazardous substances
Paragraph (i) requires employers to develop and implement a program to inform workers about the hazardous substances present, levels of exposure, and protective measures.
Question 5: Under 29 CFR 1910.120(h), what must employers do if unexpected conditions are encountered during hazardous waste site operations?
- Immediately notify the EPA regional office
- Stop work, reassess the site, and update the SSHP before resuming (Correct answer)
- Continue operations at a reduced pace while an assessment is conducted
- Evacuate all non-essential workers and await OSHA guidance
Correct answer: Stop work, reassess the site, and update the SSHP before resuming
If conditions change or unexpected hazards are found, work must stop, the site must be reassessed, and the safety plan updated before operations resume.
Question 6: Which federal agency co-authored the HAZWOPER standard regulations that apply to hazardous waste cleanup at uncontrolled sites?
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Correct answer)
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Correct answer: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
OSHA and EPA jointly developed HAZWOPER regulations; EPA's parallel rule at 40 CFR Part 311 applies to state and local government workers not covered by OSHA.
Question 7: Under 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(v), what training is required for Incident Commanders who will assume control of an emergency response incident?
- Completion of a 40-hour HAZWOPER general site worker course
- Training equal to the hazardous materials technician level plus ICS competency (Correct answer)
- NIMS ICS-700 certification only
- 24 hours of initial emergency response training
Correct answer: Training equal to the hazardous materials technician level plus ICS competency
Incident Commanders must be trained to the hazardous materials technician level and have competency in ICS to direct emergency response operations.
HAZWOPER OSHA Regulations & Standards 5
Under 29 CFR 1910.120(e)(3)(ii), what reduced initial training applies to workers who have received 24 hours of training and will not be working in areas with exposures above permissible levels?