OSHA’s hazardous waste operations and emergency response regulation, 29 CFR 1910.120, stipulates requirements for emergency response operations involving releases of hazardous substances. Employees participating in emergency response are required to be trained based on the duties and function they would serve in an emergency response situation.
First Responder Operations Level, FROL, trained individuals are trained to respond to hazardous material releases with the purpose of protecting nearby persons, property, or the environment from the effects of the release. FROL trained individuals respond in a defensive manner and do not try to stop the release. If an individual is expected to respond to a release of a hazardous material with the intent of stopping the release, they are required to be trained to the level of hazardous materials technician.
Individuals that are involved in determining if a spill of hazardous materials is considered controlled or uncontrolled should attend this training. If you are the person that will be called in the event of a spill in the laboratory, you should have the appropriate training to fulfill this role. It is important to understand the regulatory requirements, recognize and mitigate workplace hazards, and understand the expectations of a FROL responder.
Safety Partners is hosting a FROL training at our office in Bedford, MA on October 20, 2015. More information can be obtained on our website. Please join us if you are interested in learning more about FROL!