Unfortunately the regulations do not differentiate between a
large or smaller spill. We have gone round and around on spill teams and
currently management did not want to invest in them. The down-side is
that your facility may be shut down for the time period to get a
responder in. It would also need to be clear on what your employees can
handle as part of regular HazCom safety training. We met with a
responder and went over this.

In order to have a spill team, some of the requirements are:

-Equipment (personal gear, ~$500; response supplies (tubs, tarps, etc.,
$500-$1000)
-Members pass a medical physical initially and every 1-2 years.
-In emergency response plan, include 6-well developed scenarios.
-4-gas meter: confirm not explosive; calibration and order an O2 sensor
every year.
-training:
	-24 hour initial training. If someone has other training,
someone from your facility needs to be willing to sign off that the
person is competent. Usually just do the 24-hour class. $5-$8000 for
6-16 people.
	-SCBA: initial training, then practice monthly until all can do
everything.
	-Emergency response team level B - Advanced first aid, search &
rescue, etc.

When having a responder come in you would still need to be prepared at
the Awareness and Operational level of response.

I hope this helps.

Steve LaCroix
Quality Assurance and Safety Officer
Department of Health
Epidemiology, Health Statistics, and Public Health Laboratories
1610 NE 150th St.
Shoreline, WA 98155
Phone: (206) 418-5437
Cell: 206-391-9025
FAX: (206) 418-5485
email: steve.lacroix**At_Symbol_Here**doh.wa.gov
ergonomic information: http://dohweb/Risk/Ergonomicsnew.htm 
"The Department of Health works to protect and improve the health of
people in Washington State"

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of
Patricia Peifer
Sent: Monday, December 07, 2009 12:00 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Lab Spill Team

I work in a small lab (about 65 people) with minimal potential for large
spills.  The largest spill we have had since I have been here is 4
liters
of methylene chloride.  We could have a bigger spill but it is extremely
unlikely.

We have a spill team composed of 5 lab employees (including myself) who
get
asked to deal with the bigger spills, such as the 4 L of methylene
chloride.  The spill team has respirators and gets fit tested every
year.
We also have a spill training session each year, about 1 hour long.   If
we
have a spill that we cannot handle, we have an ourside contractor we
plan
on calling.

I have been told I should be having the entire spill team take the 24
hour
HAZWOPER course with an annual refresher.   That will be a hard sell for
me
to management unless it is absolutely required.  I do feel that we
should
have more than the one hour we typically have, though.  If the 24-hour
HAZWOPER is not absolutely required, I would like to have someone come
in
and give us a half-day (at least) of spill training.

So, two questions:

Does anyone know if I have been told the correct information about the
need
for the 24 hour HAZWOPER?
Does anyone know of a good person to contact in Eastern Pennsylvania
about
spill training?

Thanks,
Pat

Pat Peifer
Project Manager, Safety & Training

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