Publisher's Synopsis
OSHA 3335-10N, Preparing and Protecting Security Personnel in Emergencies, addresses emergencies involving hazardous substance releases and provides guidance for employers, and their security personnel, who may be involved in the emergency response. In this guidance document, OSHA provides practical information to assist employers of security personnel in addressing employee protection and training as part of emergency planning for hazardous substance, natural disaster, and WMD-type incidents. While terrorist incidents are not emergencies that OSHA expect an employer to reasonably anticipate, by tailoring emergency plans to reflect the reasonably predictable "worst-case" scenario under which security personnel might work, employers may use these plans to guide decisions regarding appropriate training and personal protective equipment (PPE). Security personnel (i.e., guards) potentially risk occupational exposures to hazardous substances including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) materials during emergencies. Emergencies involving the release of hazardous chemicals at industrial facilities, including chemical manufacturers and industrial facilities utilizing hazardous substances, are the most likely and predictable incidents that may involve security personnel. Security personnel, however, work at a variety of locations with the potential for emergency incidents. Although general chemical release emergencies may be the most likely, incidents resulting from natural disasters or involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are also of concern to both private and public sector employers and the security personnel they employ. Security personnel working at companies for the protection of the facilities, materials, and products, as well as those employed by government agencies, are often called upon to provide support during hazardous substance emergencies and the emergency planning in preparation for such incidents is key to successful implementation of emergency response operations. The role that security personnel will have in an emergency is important with respect to the success of emergency response operations. The role they are assigned by their employer is also important in determining the training, information, and personal protective equipment they must be provided to safely perform their duties. In many cases, they will be the first individuals to a release scene and their role in such cases must be clearly understood. Security personnel who ar expected by their employer to provide support during an emergency involving a hazardous substance release, arising from natural disasters, or involving WMDs much receive training in accordance with OSHA requirements. Security personnel expected by their employer to assume an emergency responder role during a hazardous substance release are covered by OSHA's Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standard, or the parallel OSHA-approved State Plan standards. OSHA's HAZWOPER standard, 29 CFR 1910.120, describes the level of training for personnel involved in emergency responses consistent with the types of activities and duties their employers expect them to perform during emergency response operations. OSHA considers sound planning the first line of defense in all types of emergencies.
