HAZWOPER Emergency Response

Emergency response (also called "responding to emergency") is a reaction to a situation that will likely result (or has resulted) in an uncontrolled release of a hazardous substance or substances. The emergency responders are either employees outside of the emergency area or other designated responders (such as the local fire department).

OSHA distinguishes between an emergency response and a non-emergency response in several ways. Non-emergency responses are efforts by responders to control substances that can be absorbed, neutralized, or controlled at the time of release by employees in the immediate release area, or controlled at the time of release by maintenance personnel.

Fires, explosions, and chemical exposures are considered non-emergency responses by OSHA if there is "no potential safety or health hazard."

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