Site Health Safety Plan

Appendix N7: Health and Safety Plan

Introduction

This Site Health and Safety Plan (SHSP) defines applicability and responsibility regarding compliance with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Health and Safety Program for Hazardous Substance Field Activities.

This SHSP defines site requirements and protocol applicable during all activities. It extends to all ATSDR employees, ATSDR contractors, and site visitors invited by ATSDR.

Site emergency response procedures and any potential fire, explosion, health, or safety hazards of the operation must be communicated to all personnel. Noncompliance with site safety procedures will not be tolerated. Personnel not observing safety procedures could be suspended from participation in site activities.

Development of this plan included consideration of current safety standards and recommendations as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), health effects and standards for known contaminants, and procedures designed to account for potential exposure to unknown substances.

Additional PPE requirements and precautions added to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during Synthetic Turf activities are detailed in Appendix N9.

Personnel Training Requirements

All site personnel will be trained in accordance with the requirements contained in the CDC/ATSDR Mandatory Training Requirements. At a minimum, all personnel will be trained to recognize on-site hazards, the provisions of this SHSP, and identification of responsible personnel.

All personnel are required to complete the following training courses:

• Safety Survival Skills Part 1 - General Responsibilities

• Personal Protective Equipment Training

• Human Research Protections Training

• First aid/CPR/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Training

All site personnel and agents (on-site contractors, fellows, and others appointed or retained to work under the auspices of CDC) who intend to collection information from human subjects must have a Scientific Ethics Verification (SEV) number.

Personal Protective Equipment

Anyone entering the site must be fully aware of and protected against potential hazards. The purpose of personal protective equipment (PPE) is to shield or isolate individuals from chemical, physical, and biological hazards that could be encountered at the site. Personnel working with urine samples are required to wear Level D PPE to include closed toed shoes, long pants, and gloves. Gloves should be changed in between handling each participant’s sample. Urine containers, used pipettes, gloves, and blood collection materials should be placed in appropriate biohazard containers.

Emergency Procedures

On-site personnel will use the following standard emergency procedures. Notify the site lead of any on-site emergencies. The site lead is responsible for ensuring that appropriate emergency procedures are followed.

Personal Injury

When an injury occurs the site lead will assess its nature. A qualified first aid provider should initiate appropriate first aid and continue appropriate emergency medical services. If necessary, injured personnel will be transported to a local area hospital.

Fire or Explosion

If a fire or explosion occurs on site, the emergency will be announced and all personnel will leave the area through emergency exits (unless directed otherwise). The fire department shall be contacted (911), and all personnel shall be moved a safe distance from the involved area. If it is safe to do so, site personnel can take the following actions:

• Use on site fire-fighting equipment to control or extinguish the fire; and

• Remove or isolate flammable or other hazardous materials that could contribute to the fire.

Natural Hazards

The site lead has responsibility for safety of ATSDR personnel if natural hazards (e.g., thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.) occur. The site lead will inform personnel of current and impending weather conditions.

Equipment Failure

If any site worker experiences a protective equipment failure or alteration that affects the protection factor, that person shall immediately wash hands as needed and replace the failed equipment.

If any other on-site equipment fails to operate properly, the site lead shall be notified and will then determine the effect of this failure on continuing operations at the site.