Decontamination Procedures - Minimizing Contamination

The initial step of decontamination is establishing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure minimal contact with waste. This will in turn lead to less potential for contamination of hazardous substances. OSHA notes that "all personnel should be trained in the Standard Operating Procedures for minimizing contact and maximizing worker protection, and these procedures should be enforced throughout site operations."

On its webpage titled "Decontamination," OSHA provides some examples for SOPs to minimize waste contact. Some of the suggestions are obvious (for example, emphasizing work practices that minimize contact with hazardous substances, such as not walking through contaminated areas, or not touching hazardous substances). The site also suggest that employers follow these practices:

• Use remote sampling
• Practice safe handling
• Utilize safe container-opening techniques, like drum grapplers and pneumatic impact wrenches
• Properly bag all monitoring and sampling instruments. Make openings in the bags (for the sensors that must contact site materials in order to take samples).
• Wear disposable outer garments when possible
• Use disposable equipment when possible
• Cover equipment and tools with a "strippable coating which can be removed during decontamination." OSHA does not provide examples of strippable coatings.
• Use plastic sheeting, overpacks, or other tools to enclose the source of contaminants.

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