Planning and Organization
Introduction
Adequate planning is the first and the most critical element of hazardous waste site activities.
By anticipating and taking steps to prevent potential hazards to health and safety, work at a waste site can proceed with minimum risk to workers and the public.
Three aspects of planning are discussed in this module:
- developing an overall organizational structure for site operations;
- establishing a comprehensive Work Plan that considers each specific phase of the operation; and
- developing and implementing a Site Safety and Health Plan.
The organizational structure should identify the personnel needed for the overall operation, establish the chain-of-command, and specify the overall responsibilities of each employee. The Work Plan should establish the objectives of site operations and the logistics and resources required to achieve the goals. The Site Safety Plan should determine the health and safety concerns for each phase of the operation and define the requirements and procedures for worker and public protection.
A fourth important aspect of planning is coordinating with the existing response community. A national response organization was established by a congressionally mandated National Contingency Plan to implement procedures for coordinating response to releases of hazardous substances into the environment. This National Contingency Plan establishes response teams composed of representatives of federal agencies and state and local governments. A particularly important contact for hazardous waste site activities is the EPA-designated official responsible for coordinating federal activities related to site cleanup.
Planning should be viewed as an ongoing process: the cleanup activities and Site Safety Plan must be continuously adapted to new site conditions and new information.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-1. What does the National Contingency Plan establish?
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