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Only trained and authorized personnel should be allowed to perform drum handling. Prior to any handling, drums must be visually inspected
<br />to gain as much information as possible about their contents. Trained field personnel must look for signs of deterioration such as corrosion,
<br />rust or leaks, and for signs that the drum is under pressure such as swelling or bulging. Drum-type and drumhead configuration may provide
<br />the observer with information about the type of material inside (e.g., a removable lid is designed to contain solids, while the presence of a
<br />bung indicates liquid storage).
<br />Although not usually anticipated, buried chums can be encountered when digging test pits. Therefore, the following provisions must be
<br />observed if drums are encountered: Machine excavation (e.g., backhoe) should cease immediately anytime a drum is encountered. The
<br />appropriate management personnel should be notified immediately. All personnel should be instructed to immediately leave the work area.
<br />Even authorized personnel must not enter an excavation where drums have been uncovered, even for monitoring purposes, unless all
<br />provisions of OSHA's trenching and excavation standard have been met and the appropriate level of PPE is utilized. Sampling of unknown
<br />drums usually requires Level B protection. Buried drums must not be moved unless it can be accomplished in a safe manner and overpack
<br />drums are available.
<br />Z Fire and Explosion. The possibility of flammable materials being encountered during field activities must be recognized and the
<br />appropriate steps necessary to minimize fire and explosion must be observed. This includes situations where excessive organic vapors or
<br />free product are encountered. When this occurs, monitoring with a combustible gas indicator (CGI) is required.
<br />Excessive organic vapors, for the purposes of initiating the use of a CGI, are defined as sustained readings (i.e., continuous for at least 5
<br />minutes) at or above 250 units or as an instantaneous reading at or above 1,000 units on the PID or FID, in close proximity (within 1 foot
<br />or less) of the borehole, test pit, sampling location, or other area of potential exposure.
<br />In situations where hexane and/or methanol are needed for field activities, the following precautions must be observed: Keep flammable
<br />and combustible materials away from heat, sparks and open flames; do not smoke around flammable or combustible materials; and keep all
<br />flammable and combustible liquids in approved and properly labeled safety containers.
<br />Ei Landfill/Methane Hazards. Fire and explosion should be regarded as one of, if not the, most significant potential hazards associated with
<br />drilling operations and other intrusive work conducted at a landfill. Accordingly, all sources of ignition must be fully controlled. Failure
<br />to control ignition sources could result in fire, explosion, and pose a serious threat to life and health. Control methods may include forced
<br />ventilation and/or filling the borehole with enough water to inhibit the release of methane and other gases that would otherwise escape
<br />through the top of the borehole.
<br />If forced (mechanical) ventilation is to be used, all such equipment must be approved for Class I, Division I hazardous atmospheres. The
<br />blower must be positioned to blow across the top of the borehole so that gases and vapors may be diluted as they exit the borehole. Do not
<br />attempt to suck out the gases or vapors. Blowers, all other mechanical equipment, and tools taht could release sparks or static electricity
<br />must be bonded and grounded.
<br />Regardless of the gas/vapor control method used, the atmosphere surrounding the borehole must be frequently monitored using direct
<br />reading instruments approved for Class I, Division I hazardous atmospheres. Monitoring should be conducted within 1 to 2 feet of the top
<br />of the borehole. Do not insert sampling devices into the borehole. Never approach the auger or drill shaft while it is in operation.
<br />Regardless of actual instrument readings, if all sources of ignition cannot be controlled, operations should be immediately shut down and
<br />the area evacuated if readings equal or exceed 10% of LEL until ignition sources have been eliminated. Ignition sources include, but are
<br />not limited to, smoking, static electricity, lighting, open flames, spontaneously ignitable substances, frictional heat or sparks, hot surfaces,
<br />radiant heat, electrical sparks, stray currents, cutting and welding, ovens, furnaces, and heating equipment.
<br />Heat and Cold Stress. Overexposure to temperature extremes can represent significant risks to personnel if simple precautions are not
<br />observed. Typical control measures designed to prevent heat stress include dressing properly, drinking plenty of the right fluids, and
<br />establishing an appropriate work/break regimen. Typical control measures designed to prevent cold stress also include dressing properly,
<br />and establishing an appropriate work/break regimen.
<br />Moving Vehicles, Traffic Safety. All vehicular traffic routes that could impact worker safety must be identified and communicated.
<br />Whenever necessary, barriers or other methods must be established to prevent injury from moving vehicles. This is particularly important
<br />when field activities are conducted in parking lots, driveways, ramps or roadways. OSHA 1926.201 specifies that when signs, signals or
<br />barricades do not provide adequate protection from highway or street traffic, flagmen must be utilized. Flagmen must wear red or orange
<br />garments. Garments worn at night must be reflective.
<br />Z Noise. Noise exposure can be affected by many factors including the number and types of noise sources (continuous vs. intermittent or
<br />impact) and the proximity to noise intensifying structures (e.g., walls or buildings) that cause noise to bounce back or echo. The single most
<br />important factor effecting total noise exposure is distance from the source. The closer one is to the source, the louder the noise. The
<br />operation of a drill rig, backhoe, or other mechanical equipment can be sources of significant noise exposure. In order to reduce the exposure
<br />to this noise, personnel working in areas of excessive noise must use hearing protectors (e.g., ear plugs, ear muffs).
<br />Rule-of-Thumb: Wherever actual data from sound level meters or noise dosimeters is unavailable and it is necessary to raise one's voice
<br />above a normal conversational level to communicate with others within 3 to 5 feet away, hearing protection should be worn.
<br />Site-Specific Health and Safety Plan Page 6
<br />Version 1.02 September 30,2016
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