Preliminary Evaluation

29 CFR 1910.120(c)(4) requires that an employer obtain the following information before employees enter a hazardous site:

• Approximate size of the site
• Description of the response activity/expected job tasks
• Expected length of the employee activity
• Site topography
• Site accessibility by air and roads
• Safety and health hazards expected at the site
• Chemical and physical properties of the hazardous substances and health hazards at the site
• Pathways for hazardous substance dispersion
• Emergency response teams that would provide assistance to on-site employees (should an emergency occur)
• Capabilities of these emergency response teams
• Required personal protective equipment (PPE)

OSHA states that a "qualified person" must conduct this preliminary evaluation. The qualified person may use many means to collect information regarding hazards. Some examples include the following:

• Information about site exits
• History of the site (including past evaluations, injury reports, or Safety Data Sheets)
• Interviews with employees and managers
• Site observation from the perimeter (without entering the site)

To learn more about HAZWOPER visit our HAZWOPER 40 Hour Online Training web page.