WAC 296-843-11005. Complete a preliminary site evaluation before allowing employees to enter the site

You must complete a preliminary site evaluation by doing all the following: Collect or develop the following information to the extent available: • The site location and approximate size • A description of the response activity and the job tasks to be performed • The time needed to cover all planned activities • The site's topography and all ways to access the site • The current status and capabilities of any emergency response team assisting during an emergency • The safety and health hazards expected at the site • The hazardous substances and health hazards at the site, including their chemical and physical properties • All hazardous substance dispersion pathways • An emergency response plan Have a qualified person evaluate the preliminary site information to identify: • Potential site hazards and risks • The most appropriate methods to protect employees • Conditions that have the potential to cause death or serious harm, including potential inhalation or skin absorption hazards that are immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) – Examples include: ■ Confined space entry ■ Potentially explosive or flammable environments ■ Visible vapor clouds ■ Areas where plants or animals have died • Risks related to specific on-site hazardous substances and health hazards – Examples include: ■ Exposures exceeding the permissible exposure limits (PELs) or published exposure levels ■ IDLH concentrations ■ Potential skin absorption and irritation sources ■ Potential eye irritation sources ■ Explosion sensitivity and flammability ranges ■ Oxygen deficient atmospheres Have a qualified person prepare an initial site characterization and analysis for the site to: • Identify known and suspected health and safety hazards for the site • Aid in selecting control methods to protect employees from site hazards • Brief employees on site conditions before any work starts • Initiate the site-specific health and safety plan (HASP) Collect or develop the following information to the extent available: • The site location and approximate size • A description of the response activity and the job tasks to be performed • The time needed to cover all planned activities • The site's topography and all ways to access the site • The current status and capabilities of any emergency response team assisting during an emergency • The safety and health hazards expected at the site • The hazardous substances and health hazards at the site, including their chemical and physical properties • All hazardous substance dispersion pathways • An emergency response plan Have a qualified person evaluate the preliminary site information to identify: • Potential site hazards and risks • The most appropriate methods to protect employees • Conditions that have the potential to cause death or serious harm, including potential inhalation or skin absorption hazards that are immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) – Examples include: ■ Confined space entry ■ Potentially explosive or flammable environments ■ Visible vapor clouds ■ Areas where plants or animals have died • Risks related to specific on-site hazardous substances and health hazards – Examples include: ■ Exposures exceeding the permissible exposure limits (PELs) or published exposure levels ■ IDLH concentrations ■ Potential skin absorption and irritation sources ■ Potential eye irritation sources ■ Explosion sensitivity and flammability ranges ■ Oxygen deficient atmospheres Have a qualified person prepare an initial site characterization and analysis for the site to: • Identify known and suspected health and safety hazards for the site • Aid in selecting control methods to protect employees from site hazards • Brief employees on site conditions before any work starts • Initiate the site-specific health and safety plan (HASP) Note: Characterization and analysis of site hazards is an ongoing process for work on the hazardous waste site.