If your business generates hazardous waste that employees are exposed to, you are required to train them in handling such waste. These include employees who clean, treat, store and dispose of hazardous materials.
Here are four matters your employees should be adequately informed about:
The particular hazards
Your employees have the right to know the hazardous waste they are exposed to when working. Thus, during training, inform them of the chemical names and properties of the hazardous substances in the workplace. Define these substances using the four characteristics identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity.
The dangers of the hazards
Inform your employees of the dangers they may face when exposed to the hazards in the workplace. For example, exposure to acids can cause burns or cancer, increased exposure to pesticides can cause respiratory infections, wood dust can lead to respiratory issues and allergic reactions and so forth.
Other dangers hazardous waste can cause include genetic mutations, asthma, reproductive issues, damage to vital organs and death.
Protective measures
It’s crucial to train your employees on protective measures. Teach them about the importance of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). They should also understand how to wear PPE correctly and the consequences they may face if they don’t do so based on company policies. Encourage them to always report damaged PPE to get a replacement.
Another protective measure element to train employees in is storage. Teach them how to store hazardous waste before disposal, complying with state and federal regulations.
Emergency response
Despite being informed about the above-discussed matters, an accident can happen. Thus, ensure your employees are trained on how to respond in emergencies.
Failing to adequately train employees who handle hazardous waste is dangerous. Learn more to know how you can protect your employees and business.
