www.osha.gov

Preparing and Protecting

Security Personnel in

Emergencies

OSHA 3335-10N 2007
Employers are responsible for providing a safe

and healthful workplace for their employees.

OSHA’s role is to assure the safety and health of

America’s working men and women by setting

and enforcing standards; providing training,

outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement

in workplace safety and health.

This handbook provides a general overview of a

particular topic related to OSHA standards. It

does not alter or determine compliance responsibilities in OSHA standards or the Occupational

Safety and Health Act of 1970. Because interpretations and enforcement policy may change

over time, you should consult current OSHA

administrative interpretations and decisions by

the Occupational Safety and Health Review

Commission and the courts for additional

guidance on OSHA compliance requirements.

This publication is in the public domain and

may be reproduced, fully or partially, without

permission. Source credit is requested but not

required.

This information is available to sensory impaired

individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202)

693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877)

889-5627.
U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA 3335-10N

2007

Preparing and

Protecting Security

Personnel in

Emergencies
2

Contents

Introduction . . . 4

Hazardous Substance Releases and WMD

Incidents . . . 7

Emergency Response Roles and Training . . . 9

Emergency Responders . . . 11

First Responder Awareness Level . . . 11

First Responder Operations Level . . . 12

Security Personnel at Higher Responder Levels . . . 13

Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT)Technician Level . . . 13

Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Specialist Level . . . 14

On Scene Incident Commander . . . 15

RefresherTraining . . . 15

Skilled Support Personnel . . . 16

Specialist Employees . . . 17

Personal Protective Equipment . . . 18

Respiratory Protection . . . 19

Respirators for Non-Immediately Dangerous to Life or

Health (IDLH) Environments . . . 21

Protective Clothing . . . 23

General Guidelines . . . 23

General References . . . 28

OSHA References . . . 28

Additional References . . . 28

Abbreviations . . . 29
3

Appendix . . . 30

I. Respirators for Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health

(IDLH) Environments . . . 30

II. Respirators for CBRN Agent Environments . . . 31

CBRN-Approved SCBAs . . . 32

CBRN-Approved APRs and APERs . . . 33

III. Protective Clothing Guidance . . . 34

OSHA Assistance . . . 36

OSHA Regional Offices . . . 41
Introduction

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.

This document specifically addresses emergencies involving

hazardous substance releases and provides guidance for employers,

and their security personnel, who may be involved in the emergency

response. It does not address other safety and health hazards (e.g.,

workplace violence) that security personnel may be exposed to

while performing their routine duties.

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 are expected by their employer to provide

support during an emergency involving a hazardous substance

4
release, arising from natural disasters, or involving WMDs must

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. 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 WMDtype incidents. While terrorist incidents are not emergencies that

OSHA expects 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).

This document does not include any evaluation or discussion of

security guard licensing. It is important to note, however, that some

states have licensing programs for security personnel, including

different levels of licensing in some cases. The licensing process in

these states often includes classroom training and could include

training directly related to the role of security personnel during

emergencies. The state governments should be consulted

regarding their respective licensing programs. Furthermore, this

guidance document does not address the potential hazards

associated with workplace violence during such emergency

incidents. Compliance assistance information concerning workplace

violence may be found on OSHA’s Workplace Violence Safety and

Health Topics webpage at www.osha.gov.

Edwin G. Foulke, Jr.

Assistant Secretary of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health

5
This document is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal

obligations. This document is advisory in nature, informational in content,

and is intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful

workplace. Pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers

must comply with hazard-specific safety and health standards promulgated by OSHA or by a state with an OSHA-approved state plan. In

addition, pursuant to Section 5(a)(1), the General Duty Clause of the Act,

employers must provide their employees with a workplace free from

recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm.

Employers can be cited for violating the General Duty Clause if there is a

recognized hazard and they do not take reasonable steps to prevent or

abate the hazard. However, failure to implement any recommendations in

this guidance document is not, in itself, a violation of the General Duty

Clause. Citations can only be based on standards, regulations, and the

General Duty Clause

6
Hazardous Substance Releases

and WMD Incidents

The release of hazardous substances can result from a number of

incidents and involve a wide variety of substances and hazards.

From a release of a hazardous gas, such as chlorine, from damaged

piping at a water treatment plant to a spill from an overturned

truck hauling hydrochloric acid, the range of possible scenarios,

hazardous substances, and associated hazards is extensive.

Hazardous substance releases can occur in numerous forms, such

as gases, liquids, dusts, and other forms, and may result from a

wide array of incidents, such as an industrial accident, natural

disasters, vehicle accidents, and other sources. In addition, with the

increased threat of terrorist attacks, the range of possible scenarios

is expanded.

Security personnel may play an integral part in emergency

response efforts because they may be the first to discover and take

action upon an emergency release of hazardous substances. Those

security personnel expected to take on an emergency response role

must be familiar with the potential hazardous substance releases

and emergency incidents to which they may be exposed. The

employer must ensure that these individuals understand the

hazardous substance releases that may occur in their workplaces

and the risks associated with them. If they play a key role in communicating the existence of an emergency release, they must be

well-versed in emergency alerting and communication procedures,

including who to contact according to their emergency response

plan. A well-trained security staff can help to ensure the proper

evacuation of employees and the public, the quick response of an

emergency response team, and the proper handling of bystanders

and representatives of the media.

In the case of chemical plants and similar facilities where

chemicals are stored or handled routinely, hazardous substance

releases are considered a potential threat and employers are

required to develop emergency response plans to address them.

Unless an employer plans to evacuate all personnel at the time of

an uncontrolled release, it must have an emergency response plan

7
to respond to potential releases of hazardous substances and that

plan helps to ensure that the employer has properly trained and

prepared employees to effectively perform their duties during

response operations. Using the example discussed above of a

chlorine gas release resulting from damaged piping at a water

treatment plant, the following scenario illustrates the role security

personnel are likely to fill during such an incident.

During his normal rounds of a facility, one of the plant’s

security personnel, trained to the first responder

awareness level, notices a chemical leak from a section of

piping. The security guard immediately leaves the area and

activates the alarm to notify the plant’s emergency response

team of the emergency. Once in a remote area away from the

release, the security guard contacts the emergency response

team leader and relays the information he knows about the

location of the release and other pertinent details. The

emergency response team leader assigns the security guard

the task of controlling access to the release area from a safe

remote location. The security guard performs his duties from

the remote location until the response operations are

completed by the emergency response team.

Whether a chemical plant or a government facility, terrorist

attacks are not emergency incidents that can be reasonably

anticipated by employers. While an employer may not have

planned for a WMD attack, the HAZWOPER training requirements

apply and the use of proper PPE is expected for any security

personnel likely to have a role in response operations to any

resulting hazardous substance releases. The following scenario

illustrates the probable role of security personnel during a terrorist

attack.

A contracted security guard working for a private bus

company identifies an unmarked box at one of the

company’s bus stations. As the security guard approaches

the box for better identification, she notices wet-like stains

around the lower part of the box and a small amount of

smoke or fumes coming from the box’s seams. The security

guard immediately backs away from the box and evacuates

8
all bus customers and other personnel from the station. The

security guard then calls the company’s designated and

trained hazardous materials response team to report the box.

The response team is sent to the location for response actions

while simultaneously contacting local governmental emergency response authorities. The bus company also halts all bus

operations in the area of the station until the emergency

response team properly clears the area of the potential

emergency release and declares the potential emergency over.

In both cases discussed above, security personnel serve the role

of first responder awareness level and must be trained accordingly.

Those employees assigned roles as first responder awareness level

responders are limited to initiating emergency response procedures

by notifying the proper authorities and must not attempt to stop the

release or approach the release area. As discussed in the following

section, “Emergency Response Roles and Training”, the expected

duties of security personnel are likely to be consistent with this

level of training. Some employers, however, may choose to have

security personnel perform duties beyond awareness level training.

Ultimately, the training and PPE that security personnel must be

provided must be appropriate for the roles which their employers

expect them to fulfill during an emergency response to hazardous

substance releases.

Emergency Response Roles and Training

OSHA’s HAZWOPER standard requires that employees be trained

to perform their anticipated job duties without endangering themselves or others. Specific emergency response training requirements for security personnel must be derived from the roles that

they are assigned in their employer’s emergency response plan.

To determine the level and type of training employees need under

1910.120(q), consideration must be given to the actions an

employee is expected to take in response to a release (e.g., notify

authorities and evacuate, enter a danger area and stop a release),

the hazards they may be exposed to while performing these

actions, and the skills and knowledge they must have in order to

9
perform these actions safely. This determination must be based on

worst-case scenarios. The following paragraphs as well as Figure 1

discuss the various roles and required training under the

HAZWOPER standard.

Fiqure 1 - Emergency Response Roles and Training

10

What

action will

security personnel

be expected to

take during an

emergency?

Initiating Emergency

Response Only: Notifying

authorities

Respond in a Defensive

Fashion: Protect nearby

persons, property or the

environment from a safe

distance

Respond in an Aggressive

Fashion: These individuals

approach the point of

release to stop the

hazardous substance

release

Assume Control of the

Incident: Incident

Commanders asume

control of the incident

scene beyond the first

responder awareness level

Skilled Support: Providing

immediate, short-term

support work at the scene

Specialized Support:

Assist, counsel or advise

the IC on specific

hazardous substances at

the facility

First Responder Awareness Level

1910.120(q)(6)(i) Sufficient training

to demonstrate competencies

First Responder Operations Level

1910.120(q)(6)(ii)

8 hours of training or sufficient

experience to demonstrate competencies

Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT)

Technician or Specialist

1910.120(q)(6)(iii) or (q)(6)(iv)

24 hours of training and specified

competencies

On Scene Incident Commander

1910.120(q)(6)(v)

24 hours of trainiing equal to first

responder operations level and

specified competencies

Skilled Support Personnel

1910.120(q)(4)

Initial briefing at emergency

response site to include wearing

of PPE, chemical hazards involved

and duties to be performed

Specialist Employees

1910.120(q)(5)

Sufficient training or demonstrate

competency in area of specialization annually

Annual

refresher

training/

competency

demonstration
Emergency Responders

First Responder Awareness Level – 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(i)

Individuals who are likely to witness or discover a hazardous

substance release and are assigned to initiate an emergency

response sequence by notifying the proper authorities of the

release must be trained to the first responder awareness level.

Generally, the duties of security personnel will fall into this category

and they should be trained accordingly, since they are likely to

witness or discover a release of a hazardous substance and are

expected to take no further action to control or stop the release or

perform rescue in the release area.

Security personnel trained to the first responder awareness level

are limited to activating an alarm, notifying appropriate authorities,

and controlling access to the release from a remote area upon

discovering a release requiring an emergency response. Once the

site control zones and safe distances have been defined by

emergency responders, security personnel trained to the awareness

level may also control entry to and exit from the emergency site

from a safe location. Security personnel cannot assist in setting up

safe distances because they lack knowledge regarding the potential

for exposure, explosions, or radiation. In other instances, security

personnel at hospitals or an emergency site triage may help to

maintain order and control traffic around the hospital or decontamination facilities. Security personnel may need to control a contaminated individual to reduce exposures or may need to prevent

contaminated victims from bypassing proper decontamination.

Security personnel assigned to roles where they may come in

contact with contaminated victims, their belongings, equipment, or

waste would require a higher level of training (e.g., First Responder

Operations Level, see below).

The standard does not specify the length of training time required,

only that security personnel at the first responder awareness level

(1910.120(q)(6)(i)) shall have sufficient training or have had

sufficient experience to objectively demonstrate competency in

the following areas:

■ An understanding of what hazardous substances are, and the

risks associated with them in an incident.

■ An understanding of the potential outcomes associated with

11
an emergency created when hazardous substances are

present.

■ The ability to recognize the presence of hazardous substances

in an emergency.

■ The ability to identify hazardous substances, if possible.

■ An understanding of the role of the first responder awareness

level individual in the employer's emergency response

plan, including site security and control, and of the U.S.

Department of Transportation's Emergency Response

Guidebook.

■ The ability to realize the need for additional resources, and to

make appropriate notifications to the communication center.

First Responder Operations Level – 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(ii)

Security personnel who are expected to respond in a defensive

manner to hazardous substance releases as part of the initial

response for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, property, or

the environment must be trained to the first responder operations

level. Their role is to contain the release from a safe distance, to

keep it from spreading, and to prevent exposures – they do not

attempt to stop the release. Their defensive actions must be

performed from a safe distance and may include activities such

as placing absorbents, constructing dikes, or securing an area to

prevent the dispersal of contaminants or agents. Operations leveltrained security personnel must not enter the danger area, take any

aggressive action to stop the release of hazardous substances, or

perform rescue work in the release area. Those expected to take

aggressive action or approach the danger area must be trained to at

least the hazardous materials (HAZMAT) technician level (see

below).

Security personnel at the first responder operations level

(1910.120(q)(6)(ii)) must receive at least eight (8) hours of training

or have had sufficient experience to objectively demonstrate

competency in the following areas in addition to those listed for

the awareness level:

■ An understanding of the basic hazard and risk assessment

techniques.

■ An understanding of how to select and use proper PPE

12
13

provided to the

first responder

operational level.

■ An understanding

of basic hazardous

materials terms.

■ An understanding

of how to perform

basic control,

containment

and/or confinement operations within the capabilities of the resources and

personal protective equipment available within their unit.

■ An understanding of how to implement basic decontamination procedures.

■ An understanding of the relevant standard operating

procedures and termination procedures.

Security Personnel at Higher Responder Levels

While it is not expected or common, security personnel who are

expected to respond in a fashion beyond defensive action – as

discussed under first responder operations level – must be

trained to the hazardous materials (HAZMAT) technician,

HAZMAT specialist level, or On Scene Incident Commander level,

as appropriate.

Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT)Technician Level –

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(iii)

Those security personnel who will respond to releases in an

aggressive fashion for the purpose of stopping the release must

be trained to the hazardous materials (HAZMAT) technician level.

These individuals approach the point of release to plug, patch, or

otherwise stop the hazardous substance release. Security personnel

at the HAZMAT technician level must receive at least 24 hours of

training equal to the first responder operations level and, in

addition, have competency in the following areas:

■ An understanding of how to implement the employer's

emergency response plan.

Figure 2 – PPE Training
■ An understanding of the classification, identification and

verification of known and unknown materials by using field

survey instruments and equipment.

■ The ability to function within an assigned role in the Incident

Command System.

■ An understanding of how to select and use proper specialized

chemical personal protective equipment provided to the

hazardous materials technician.

■ An understanding of hazard and risk assessment techniques.

■ The ability to perform advance control, containment, and/or

confinement operations within the capabilities of the

resources and personal protective equipment available

within the unit.

■ An understanding of and ability to implement decontamination procedures.

■ An understanding of termination procedures.

■ An understanding of basic chemical and toxicological

terminology and behavior.

Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Specialist Level –

29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(iv)

Security personnel whose assigned duties parallel those of the

hazardous materials (HAZMAT) technician and who respond to

releases to provide support to HAZMAT technicians in the form

of specialized knowledge of substances involved in the release

are hazardous materials specialists. Their training must be

consistent with 1910.120(q)(6)(iv). Security personnel at the

HAZMAT specialist level must receive at least 24 hours of

training equal to the technician level and, in addition, have

competency in the following areas:

■ An understanding of how to implement the local

emergency response plan.

■ An understanding of the classification, identification and

verification of known and unknown materials by using

advanced survey instruments and equipment.

■ An understanding of the state emergency response plan.

■ The ability to select and use proper specialized chemical

personal protective equipment provided to the hazardous

14
15

materials specialist.

■ An understanding of in-depth hazard and risk techniques.

■ The ability to perform specialized control, containment,

and/or confinement operations within the capabilities of

the resources and personal protective equipment

available.

■ The ability to determine and implement decontamination

procedures.

■ The ability to develop a site safety and control plan.

■ An understanding of chemical, radiological and toxicological terminology and behavior.

On Scene Incident Commander – 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(v)

If security personnel are assigned duties by their employers

consistent with the role of the On Scene Incident Commander,

they must receive at least 24 hours of training equal to the first

responder operations level and have competencies consistent

with 1910.120(q)(6)(v). The competencies include the following:

■ An understanding of and the ability to implement the

employer's incident command system.

■ The ability to implement the employer's emergency

response plan.

■ Knowledge and understanding of the hazards and risks

associated with employees working in chemical protective

clothing.

■ The ability to implement the local emergency response

plan.

■ An understanding of the state emergency response plan

and of the Federal Regional Response Team.

■ Knowledge and understanding of the importance of decontamination procedures.

Refresher Training – 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(8)

All security personnel who are required to receive initial training as

required by (q)(6) must also receive annual refresher training to

maintain their skills and competencies, or demonstrate competency

at least annually. The employer must assure that training is of

sufficient content and duration to maintain the security personnel’s
competencies for their

expected duties. Refresher

training may be given in

segments throughout

the year so long as the

required refresher training

has been completed by

the employee’s training

anniversary date. Time

spent by security personnel

critiquing or reviewing

incidents may also be

credited toward their annual refresher training requirements.

OSHA's intent is that employees complete their refresher

training within twelve months of their initial training. If an employee

has gone without refresher training for more than twelve months,

there should be a record in the employee's file indicating why the

training has been delayed and when the training will be completed.

The employer must also evaluate whether the initial comprehensive

training may need to be repeated. The need to repeat initial training

must be determined based on the employee’s familiarity with safety

and health procedures and potential hazards, and must be judged

on a case-by-case basis. Individual retention of information must be

considered as well as the applicability of past training to the duties

security personnel are assigned. Employees would not need to

be retrained in those training elements for which they can

demonstrate competency.

Skilled Support Personnel – 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(4)

Skilled support personnel (SSP) are those employees who are

needed temporarily to perform immediate emergency support

work. This category of employee was included in paragraph (q) to

recognize the need at times for fast-response assistance by

individuals who possess needed skills in the operation of certain

equipment (e.g., earthmoving or digging equipment) in an

emergency. In the case of security personnel, they may assist the

Incident Commander (IC) of the response effort by providing access

to secured areas or sections of a building, or by providing

knowledge regarding a building’s air handling facilities.

16

Figure 3 – AnnualTraining
Since security personnel who may serve as SSP do not expect

to regularly help in emergency response incidents and may have

only minimal training, attention must be given to their proper safety

and health protection at the scene before they participate in the

incident. This must be accomplished by an on-site briefing that

includes a discussion of the chemical and physical hazards present,

the personal protective equipment (PPE) to be used, how the PPE is

used and its limitations, the exact task(s) they are expected to

perform, and the facility’s or site’s safety and health precautions

and procedures.

Security personnel who are to enter contaminated areas on a

regular basis can no longer be considered SSP employees, and

require HAZWOPER training under paragraph (q)(6) discussed

above.

Specialist Employees – 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(5)

A specialist employee is an expert who may assist, counsel, or

advise the IC. Specialist employees may be individuals who work

with and are trained in the hazards of a specific hazardous substance

(e.g., radiological materials) and are by definition individuals

specialized in their area of expertise, but do not necessarily have

all of the competencies of the hazardous materials (HAZMAT)

technician or HAZMAT specialist. If security personnel, in the course

of their regular job duties, work with and are trained in the hazards

of specific hazardous substances, they may be deemed specialist

employees and provide technical assistance and advice to the IC in

their area of expertise.

Specialist employees must annually receive training or

demonstrate competency in the area of their specialization. Even

though specialist employees are experts in their respective areas,

they should also be trained in how to interact within the incident

command structure (ICS), and how to follow the operating

procedures established by their employer. Their training is also

intended to inform them of the hazards that may be present at an

emergency site.

Security personnel serving in the specialist employee role may

not enter the danger area unless they are fully trained in the proper

use of the required PPE and are accompanied by someone trained

17
to the HAZMAT technician level. Security personnel who are to

enter contaminated areas on a regular basis can no longer be

considered specialist employees, and they require HAZWOPER

training under paragraph (q)(6) discussed above.

Personal Protective Equipment

The selection of personal protective equipment (PPE) is an

important step in protecting personnel. Experienced safety and

health staff should be consulted to ensure the proper selection of

PPE (e.g., respirators, suits, gloves, footwear, face and eye

protection) based on anticipated hazards at the emergency site.

Employers must select PPE based on a hazard assessment that

identifies the hazards to which security personnel are or might

potentially be exposed to during an emergency incident, and

ensure that selected equipment meets the requirements of 1910.120

and 1910 Subpart I. As stated previously, security personnel will

typically be assigned a first responder awareness level role during

emergencies and have either no or only minimal exposure to

hazardous substances. This limited potential for exposure would

require a lower

level of PPE.

Where security

personnel’s

assigned roles

include closer

approach to the

release area or

involve potential

exposures, the

hazard assessment

and selection of

PPE must account

for the higher level of potential exposures.

At facilities where the potential for hazardous substance releases

can be anticipated, such as a chemical manufacturer or industrial

plant utilizing hazardous substances, a hazard assessment can

effectively be performed based on the hazardous substances

18

Figure 4 – Personal Protective Equipment
located on the site, potential emergency releases, and the hazards

associated with them. For example, a food manufacturer may store

and utilize ammonia for use in the cooling systems. The facility’s

safety and health staff can anticipate the potential hazardous

substance releases based on site operations and perform a hazard

assessment of potential exposures to site personnel, including

security personnel, during an emergency release. Selection of

PPE should be performed based on the hazard assessment and

upgraded or downgraded throughout emergency response efforts

as determined through consultation with the Incident Commander

(IC) and the ICS safety officer.

The hazard assessment for PPE selection during chemical,

biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) incidents is a similar

safety and health assessment except that many of the CBRN agents

are highly toxic by both skin absorption and inhalation. Typical

indicators of exposure such as odor, smoke, or fumes may not be

present, and exposure monitoring is difficult for some of the

compounds. Based on the hazardous substances and conditions

known to be present, the site IC in charge of a response must

implement appropriate emergency operations, including selection

of appropriate PPE for employees who respond. To the extent

feasible, employers of security personnel should consult with the

IC, ICS safety officer, and/or their assigned section chief, e.g., the

ICS Operations Chief, to determine appropriate PPE for their

employees assisting in the response. Additionally, there may be a

locally limited supply of CBRN-approved respirators and other PPE

for a large response during initial emergency operations.

Respiratory Protection

When respiratory protection is an anticipated need for security or

other personnel, the employer must develop and implement an

effective respiratory protection program consistent with 29 CFR

1910.134(c). The written program must contain specific procedures

describing how respirators will be selected, fitted, used, maintained

and inspected in a particular workplace. The employer must include

the following elements, as applicable, in the respiratory protection

program:

19
■ Procedures for:

• Selecting appropriate respirators for use in the workplace.

• Fit testing tight-fitting respirators.

• Using respirators properly in routine situations as well as in

reasonably foreseeable emergencies.

• Cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing,

removing from service or discarding, and otherwise

maintaining respirators. Also, you must establish schedules

for these elements.

• Ensuring adequate air supply, quantity, and flow of breathing

air for atmosphere-supplying respirators.

• Training employees in the respiratory hazards to which they

are potentially exposed during routine and emergency

situations.

• Regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the program.

■ Provisions for medical evaluation of employees who must

use respirators.

■ Training employees in the proper use of respirators

(including putting them on and removing them), the

limitations on their use, and their maintenance.

When selecting respirators, employers and the IC for the

response must consider the chemical and physical properties of the

contaminant(s), as well as the toxicity and concentration of the

hazardous material and the level of oxygen present. Other selection

factors are the nature and extent of the hazard, work rate, area to be

covered, mobility, work requirements and conditions as well as the

limitations and characteristics of the available respirators.

Furthermore, respiratory protection equipment must be used within

the specifications and limitations accompanying the National

Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certification.

When selecting appropriate respirators for security personnel,

the potential contaminants as well as the expected duties of the

security personnel must be considered. If security personnel are to

only perform activities from a remote distance and they are not

expected to have exposure to the hazards, then respirators would

not be required. Those in the role of first responder awareness

level, for example, would be expected to have either no or only

minimal exposure. Conversely, if security personnel are to

approach the release area, such as a hazardous materials

20
(HAZMAT) technician, then a proper respirator must be provided.

As required under 1910.120(q)(3)(iv), until the IC or employer has

determined the potential air contaminant(s) through air monitoring,

employees engaged in the hazardous substance response and

exposed to actual or potential inhalation hazards must be provided

and wear a positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus

(SCBA). With respect to CBRN agents, a NIOSH CBRN agent

approved respirator would be required. If the CBRN agents or their

concentrations are unknown or if the exposures are expected to

be high, the proper respirator would be a NIOSH CBRN agent

approved SCBA. On the other hand, if CBRN agents have been

quantified and the exposures are lower, a NIOSH CBRN air-purifying

respirator (APR) may be appropriate, provided the oxygen levels

are not deficient.

Respirators for Non-Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health

(IDLH) Environments

The selection of respirators for non-IDLH environments is dependent

on a number of factors. When evaluating the proper respirator, the

employer must consider expected chemical concentrations, the

availability of proper cartridges for contaminant(s), the proper

cartridge change schedule, and the maximum use concentration for

a particular cartridge. Furthermore, the employer must give consideration to the work area, the tasks to be performed, and the health

and comfort of those employees donning the respirator.

A tightly constrained area may not permit the use of a SCBA

even though they might be an acceptable respirator choice

otherwise. Likewise, working around obstructions that can snag

hoses may limit the use of airline respirators. An employee’s

medical condition may impact respirator selection as wearing

respiratory protection poses a physical burden on the wearer.

When an employee’s medical condition would prohibit restrictive

breathing conditions, for example, negative pressure respirators

would not be an appropriate choice. Lastly, employee comfort

should be a consideration during the respirator selection process.

Among air-purifying respirators (APRs), powered air-purifying

loose-fitting helmets have been subjectively rated the best for

breathing ease, skin comfort, and in-mask temperature and

humidity while filtering facepieces are rated high for lightness and

21
convenience. Each, however, has its own drawbacks and all these

factors, as well as the respirator’s assigned protection factor (APF),

must be taken into account during selection. See 29 CFR 1910.134

(d)(3)(i)(A) for APF requirements provided by OSHA’s Respiratory

Protection standard.

When selecting respirators for non-IDLH routine use, the

employer must also consider additional problems related to

reasonably foreseeable emergency situations. In addition, there are

substance-specific standards, such as the Asbestos, Formaldehyde,

Methlyene Chloride, and Hexavalent Chromium standards, that

have specific respirator selection requirements.

One of the primary considerations for APRs is whether the

protection will be for gases, vapors, and/or particulates. Certain

respirator and filter combinations protect against one form of

contaminant, but not the others. Table 1, below, lists the three types

of APRs and their characteristics.

Table 1 Air-Purifying Respirator Characteristics

Respirator Characteristics

Particulate ■ Do not protect against gases or vapors.

Respirators ■ Capture particles in the air, such as dusts, mists, and fumes.

■ Generally become more effective as particles accumulate on

the filter and plug spaces between the fibers.

■ Filters should be replaced when the user finds it difficult to

breathe through them.

Combination ■ Normally used in atmospheres that contain hazards of both

Respirators particulates and gases.

■ Have both particulate filters and gas/vapor filters.

■ May be heavier.

Gas & Vapor ■ Do not protect against airborne particles.

Respirators ■ Normally used when there are only hazardous gases and

vapors in the air.

■ Use chemical cartridges or canisters to remove dangerous

gases or vapors.

■ Made to protect against specific gases or vapors.

■ Provide protection only as long as the cartridge’s or canister’s

absorbing capacity is not depleted.

■ The service life of the cartridge or canister depends upon

many factors and can be estimated in various ways.

22
Sections I. and II. of the Appendix (at pages 30 and 31) discuss

respirators for different types of environments that may apply

to security personnel assigned response roles at higher levels:

immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) and CBRN environments. An employer must select the proper respiratory protection

based on security personnel’s expected duties, the contaminant(s)

and the conditions present at the release site, the limitations of

the respiratory protection available, and the respirator manufacturer specifications and guidance. The NIOSH respirator decision logic

(See NIOSH Respirator Selection Logic 2004, NIOSH Publication No.

2005-100) may assist in selecting the proper respiratory protection.

Protective Clothing

General Guidelines

As mentioned earlier, emergency incidents involving hazardous

substances, including CBRN agents, often include substances

that are highly toxic by inhalation and/or skin absorption. While

proper respiratory protection will protect security personnel from

inhalation hazards, the responders can remain at risk without

proper protective clothing. A key point made in the training

section of this document is that security personnel are most likely

to be assigned roles consistent with first responder awareness

level. In this role, security personnel are not to approach the

danger zone of the incident and must remain in safe areas that

are free of contaminants. Accordingly, these security personnel

do not face the potential for exposure to agents and, therefore,

the need for protective clothing is diminished. Personnel who are

designated to take on a role beyond first responder awareness

level during an emergency incident must be provided protective

clothing for protection against identified or potential contaminants that pose a skin hazard. Likewise, security personnel who

serve as SSP or specialist employees and who may experience

contaminant exposures must be provided appropriate protective

clothing.

The selection of protective clothing or suits is a complex task

and should be performed by knowledgeable personnel with

experience in selecting protective equipment for contaminant

exposure. Employers must consider the properties of the

23
contaminant(s), the toxicity and concentration of the hazardous

material, and the tasks to be performed by those individuals

wearing the clothing. Further, the performance characteristics of

the clothing material against the contaminant(s) must be evaluated.

The selection must consider how the material resists permeation,

degradation, and penetration by contaminants involved in the

incident.

The protective clothing guidance below is discussed in relation

to levels of contamination, the zones of red, yellow, and green

(see Figure 5). Those security personnel trained to the first

responder awareness level would be expected to only take on

roles in the Green Zone or further removed from the release area

where there are no potential exposures. Those entering the

Yellow Zone would minimally be trained to the first responder

operations level and those entering the Red

Zone would be trained to at least the

hazardous materials (HAZMAT) technician

level (see Training section, above). These

zones of Red, Yellow, and Green are

available to be used as complimentary

guidance for personal protective

equipment selection based on the

level of knowledge about the

emergency release. The use of the

zones is neither mandatory nor

exclusionary of other site

control concepts, such as the

traditional Exclusion (Hot),

Contamination Reduction

(Warm), and Support

(Cold) Zones.

Red Zone areas are where significant contamination with

hazardous substances or CBRN agents has been confirmed or

is strongly suspected but the area has not been characterized.

This area is presumed to be life-threatening from both skin

contact and inhalation. Level A protection (1910.120 Appendix B)

24

Figure 5 – OSHA’s Response Zones
is generally needed when the active release is still occurring,

or the release has stopped but there is no information about

the duration of the release or the airborne concentrations of

substances. Responders going into a known release area

where hazardous substances are suspected should be in a

fully encapsulating protective suit until monitoring results

allow for other decisions. Level A protection should be

consistent with the description in 1910.120 Appendix B and,

where CBRN agents are involved, suits should be appropriate

for CBRN agents, e.g., meets the requirements of National

Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1994-2001, has been

approved by NIOSH as a CBRN approved SCBA, has been

tested by a third party such as the U.S. Army’s Joint Program

Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense (JPEOCBD) (formerly Soldier and Biological Chemical Command

(SBCCOM)) or has undergone other manufacturer testing.

In addition to the requirements specified in 1910.120(q)(3),

practices prudent for the Red Zone where the level of contamination or exposure is unknown include, but are not

limited to, the following:

■ Don appropriate PPE. A SCBA is required where the level

of exposure is unknown and until the Incident

Commander can determine that a decreased level of

respiratory protection is appropriate.

■ Assess the emergency site. Is there a spill, leak, or fire?

Can the contaminant(s) be identified from a distance, e.g.,

Any labeling? Who is at risk? What actions are necessary?

■ Develop an incident response plan and respond appropriately. Continually reassess the situation and modify the

response and zone boundaries as appropriate.

■ Limit responders to those actively performing response

operations.

■ Implement evacuation where necessary to protect life.

■ Establish and follow effective lines of communication.

Communicate status with Incident Command.

■ Enforce appropriate Yellow Zone and Green Zone

practices.

25
Yellow Zone areas are where contamination with

hazardous substances or CBRN agents is possible but active

release has ended and initial monitoring data exists. Areas in

close proximity to the release area or that are known to be

contaminated and certain job activities on the periphery of

the release area should be considered for this zone. Risk

factors that should be considered include determining the

relative risk for job activities from skin contact and absorption

potential, proximity to the incident, and wind directions.

Protective clothing should be selected by knowledgeable

personnel based on the specific hazards and characteristics of

the identified contaminants.

In addition to the requirements specified in 1910.120(q)(3),

practices prudent for the Yellow Zone where the area is

known to be contaminated include, but are not limited to, the

following:

■ Don appropriate PPE. Based on monitoring results, the

Incident Commander must select PPE appropriate to the

exposures and related hazards.

■ Perform tasks within the characterized zone as per the

incident response plan.

■ Limit those in the Yellow Zone to those actively

performing response-related duties.

■ Establish and follow effective lines of communication.

Plan for and be prepared to request assistance and/or

provide emergency backup to responders performing

actions in the Red Zone.

■ Enforce appropriate Green Zone practices.

26
Green Zone areas are where contamination with hazardous

substances or CBRN agents is unlikely. This zone covers the

area beyond the expected significant dispersal range of the

initial release and secondary contamination range caused by

traffic and emergency responders. Persons in this area are

not expected to be exposed to hazards presented by the

incident contaminants. Generally, protective clothing will

not be required for personnel in this area, including those

security personnel at the first responder awareness level.

Because of the concern or potential for a minimal level of

transient or unknown exposures in the aftermath of an

emergency incident, prudent practices for the Green Zone

include, but are not limited to, the following:

■ Inform people of the location of the release and the

control zones.

■ Provide information regarding signs and symptoms of

exposure.

■ Suggest a means for reporting suspected exposures.

■ Suggest attention to general hygiene practices.

■ Provide information on voluntary use of PPE.

Protective Clothing Guidance in the Appendix at page 34

provides references to assist in the selection of chemicaland CBRN-protective clothing where the emergency

response roles of security personnel necessitate such

protective equipment, i.e., those personnel assigned to take

action closer to the release area such as HAZMAT technician or

HAZMAT specialist level personnel.

27
General References

OSHA References

OSHA, “Emergency Preparedness and Response Safety and

Health Topics Web Page.”

www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/index.html

OSHA, “Workplace Violence Safety and Health Topics Web Page.”

www.osha.gov/SLTC/workplaceviolence/index.html

OSHA, “Evacuation Plans and Procedures eTool.”

www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/evacuation/index.html

Additional References

DOT ERG2004, “Emergency Response Guidebook.”

FEMA 508-6, “Typed Resource Definitions, Law Enforcement and

Security Resources.”

FEMA 426, “Reference Manual to Mitigate Potential Terrorist

Attacks Against Buildings.”

FEMA 427, “Primer for Design of Commercial Buildings to Mitigate

Terrorist Attacks.”

FEMA 452, “Risk Assessment: A How-To Guide to Mitigate Potential

Terrorist Attacks.”

NIOSH 2005-149, “NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.”

USPS, “Best Practices for Mail Center Security.”

28
Abbreviations

APER – Air-purifying escape respirator

APF – Assigned protection factor

APR – Air-purifying respirator

CBRN – Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear

HAZMAT – Hazardous materials

HAZWOPER – Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency

Response standard

IC – Incident Commander

ICS – Incident command structure

IDLH – Immediately dangerous to life or health

NFPA – National Fire Protection Association

NIOSH – National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

PPE – Personal protective equipment

SAR – Supplied-air respirator

SCBA – Self-contained breathing apparatus

SSP – Skilled support personnel

WMD – Weapon(s) of mass destruction

29
30

Appendix

As discussed earlier in this publication, the expected duties of

security personnel are commonly consistent with the first responder

awareness level of training. Some employers, however, may choose

to assign security personnel duties beyond awareness level training.

In each case, employers must assure that the training and PPE

security personnel are provided are appropriate for the roles they

are expected to fulfill during an emergency response. This appendix

provides a discussion of respirators and protective clothing often

necessary with higher levels of emergency response duties and

associated training levels.

I. Respirators for Immediately Dangerous to Life or

Health (IDLH) Environments

Atmospheres that are IDLH are those where an atmospheric concentration of any toxic, corrosive or asphyxiant substance poses an

immediate threat to life or would cause irreversible or delayed

adverse health effects or would interfere with an individual's ability

to escape from a dangerous atmosphere. Oxygen-deficient

atmospheres and those atmospheres that are not or cannot be

estimated must be treated as IDLH environments.

OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard, 1910.134, requires

that employers provide atmosphere-supplying respirators for

employees who are to enter IDLH atmospheres. Atmospheresupplying respirators are designed to provide breathable air from a

clean air source

other than the

surrounding contaminated work

atmosphere. They

include SCBA units,

combination

respirators, and

supplied-air

respirators (SARs).

Specifically,

1910.134(d)(2)

requires either a full Figure 6 – Air Purifying Respirator (APR)
31

facepiece pressure demand SCBA with a minimum 30-minutes

service life or a combination full facepiece pressure demand SAR

with an auxillary self-contained air supply.

Air-purifying respirators (APRs) are not permitted to be used in

IDLH and oxygen-deficient atmospheres. An APR works by filtering

or scrubbing harmful substances from the air as the user breathes

in the surrounding air through respirator filters or cartridges that

contain sorbents. An APR can range from a simple, disposable

mask to sophisticated devices. Unlike SCBAs and combination

SARs with a self-contained air supply, APRs do not supply the

needed oxygen to the wearer.

In addition, 1910.134(g)(3) requires that prior to entering an

IDLH environment, standby employees located outside the IDLH

atmosphere must be available to provide an effective emergency

rescue. Standby employees must be equipped with the appropriate

equipment such as pressure-demand or other positive pressure

self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), or a pressure-demand

or other positive pressure supplied-air respirator with auxiliary

SCBA. The outside personnel maintain communication with the

entrant(s) and may perform outside rescue and other duties that do

not interfere with their primary role of support, but are required to

be trained and suitably equipped to enter the IDLH, if necessary to

provide emergency rescue.

II. Respirators for CBRN Agent Environments

For security personnel

who will respond to

emergency incidents

involving potential

exposure to CBRN

agents, the employer

must select and

provide respirators

that are CBRN agent

approved by NIOSH.

Currently, NIOSH has

only certified a number

of SCBA, APR, and

air-purifying escape

respirator (APER) units. Figure 7 – SCBA Gear
32

CBRN-Approved SCBAs

In response to a CBRN incident, security personnel must use

NIOSH-approved CBRN SCBA respirators when the types of

inhalation hazards and their concentrations are unknown or are

expected to be high. CRBN SCBA respirators must also be chosen

when the atmospheres are known IDLH or oxygen-deficient. NIOSH

approval under the program signifies that an SCBA is expected to

provide needed protection to first responders in situations where

an act of terror has released harmful chemical, biological, or

radioactive materials into the air. SCBAs approved by NIOSH for

CBRN hazards are available on the NIOSH website.

To determine if a given SCBA has been tested and certified by

NIOSH for use by emergency responders in CBRN environments:

■ Look to see if the CBRN Agent Approval label is on the

respirator. If an SCBA is CBRN-approved by NIOSH, it will

always carry a NIOSH CBRN Agent Approval label (See

Figure 8). If this label is not on the SCBA, the device is not

approved by NIOSH for use by emergency responders in

CBRN environments.

■ Additional information is provided through the NIOSH

matrix-style approval labels found in the “Instruction

Manual” for the respirator. The “Instruction Manual” is

shipped by the manufacturer with the respirator.

Figure 8 – NIOSH CBRN Agent Approval Label
33

Once chosen, care must be given to the proper use of the SCBA

consistent with the respirator instruction manual. Furthermore,

direct contact with CBRN agents requires proper handling of the

SCBA after each use and between multiple entries during the same

use. Decontamination and disposal procedures must be followed.

If contaminated with liquid, chemical disposal of the SCBA after

decontamination is necessary. Based on evaluation of the

respirator contamination and condition, disposal of the SCBA may

also be necessary for SCBAs contaminated with biological or radiological agents.

CBRN-Approved APRs and APERs

A CBRN APR full facepiece respirator provides a lower level of

protection than a SCBA and should generally only be selected for

security personnel once conditions are understood and exposures

are determined to be at lower levels. A CBRN APR respirator must

not be used in atmospheres where hazard concentrations are IDLH

or oxygen-deficient, or where the concentrations are not fully characterized. If unknown or high levels of hazard are encountered due

to a secondary hazard source during normal use, the user should

immediately leave the area. NIOSH is currently drafting detailed

user guidance for the CBRN APR.

NIOSH has also approved some air-purifying escape respirators

(APERs) for escape from CBRN environments. A NIOSH approval

signifies the APER is expected to protect the general working

population in escape scenarios from CBRN exposures at a terrorist

incident. The approved APERs use a chemical cartridge combined

with a particulate filter to purify contaminated air and are approved

for 15- and 30-minute escapes. Selection of these CBRN APERs for

security personnel must be limited to those individuals whose

expected duties do not require them to enter or approach the

danger area of a CBRN release. Security personnel trained to and

expected to perform duties consistent with the first responder

operations level or higher must not be provided an APER for their

response to a CBRN incident. APERs are certified solely for escape

from CBRN environments. Conversely, those security personnel

trained to and expected to perform duties of the first responder

awareness level may be provided CBRN APERs for escape from a

CBRN release area. The roles of these individuals during an

emergency release call for the initiation of a response effort by

notifying authorities and additional actions from the safety of a
34

remote area away from the danger of the release.

Three types of labels are included with CBRN APR and APER

respirators: a full canister label located on the canister, a matrixstyle canister approval label, and a matrix-style respirator approval

label. The matrix-style approval labels are part of the user’s instructions or are included as an insert with the packaging. All three

labels include a NIOSH Approval number and CBRN protection

level in addition to other respirator/canister information. APRs and

APERs approved by NIOSH for CBRN hazards are available on the

NIOSH website (www.cdc.gov/niosh).

III. Protective Clothing Guidance

The selection of chemical- or CBRN-protective clothing is a complex

task that should be performed by experienced and knowledgeable

personnel. These personnel should have experience in selecting

protective equipment for the particular agent and possess

knowledge of available clothing materials. Clothing for security

personnel should be selected by evaluating the performance

characteristics of the material against the particular contaminants

and the site- and task-specific conditions and requirements. The

following references provide guidance on selecting chemical- and

CBRN-protective clothing.

■ Guide for the Selection of Personal Protection Equipment for

Emergency First Responders. National Institute of Justice

(NIJ). Guide 102–00. November 2002.

www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/pubs-sum/191518.htm.

■ Guide for the Selection of Chemical and Biological

Decontamination Equipment for Emergency First

Responders. National Institute of Justice (NIJ). Guide 103-00.

October 2001. www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/pubs-sum/189724.htm.

■ Recommendations for Chemical Protective Clothing - A

Companion to the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

(NIOSH). NTIS No. PB98-137730. February 1998.

www.cdc.gov/niosh/ncpc/ncpc1.html.

■ A Guide for Evaluating the Performance of Chemical

Protective Clothing. National Institute for Occupational Safety

and Health (NIOSH). DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 90-109.

June 1990. www.cdc.gov/niosh/90-109.html.

■ Standard on Vapor-Protective Ensembles for Hazardous
35

Materials Emergencies. National Fire Protection Association

(NFPA). NFPA 1991. 2005 edition. www.nfpa.org.

■ Standard on Liquid Splash-Protective Ensembles and

Clothing for Hazardous Materials Emergencies. National Fire

Protection Association (NFPA). NFPA 1992. 2005 edition.

www.nfpa.org.

■ Standard on Protective Ensembles for Chemical/Biological

Terrorism Incidents. National Fire Protection Association

(NFPA). NFPA 1994. 2001 edition. www.nfpa.org.

■ Emergency Response Guidebook. ERG2004. Department of

Transportation, The Office of Hazardous Materials Safety.

2004. http://hazmat.dot.gov/pubs/erg/gydebook.htm.
OSHA Assistance

OSHA can provide extensive help through a variety of programs,

including technical assistance about effective safety and health

programs, state plans, workplace consultations, voluntary

protection programs, strategic partnerships, training and

education, and more. An overall commitment to workplace safety

and health can add value to your business, to your workplace, and

to your life.

Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines

Effective management of employee safety and health protection is

a decisive factor in reducing the extent and severity of work-related

injuries and illnesses and their related costs. In fact, an effective

safety and health program forms the basis of good employee

protection and can save time and money (about $4 for every

dollar spent) and increase productivity and reduce employee

injuries, illnesses, and related workers’ compensation costs.

To assist employers and employees in developing effective

safety and health programs, OSHA published recommended

Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines (54 Federal

Register (16): 3904-3916, January 26, 1989). These voluntary

guidelines can be applied to all places of employment covered by

OSHA.

The guidelines identify four general elements critical to the

development of a successful safety and health management

system:

■ Management leadership and employee involvement,

■ Worksite analysis,

■ Hazard prevention and control, and

■ Safety and health training.

The guidelines recommend specific actions, under each of

these general elements, to achieve an effective safety and health

program. The Federal Register notice is available online at

www.osha.gov.

36
State Programs

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act)

encourages states to develop and operate their own job safety and

health plans. OSHA approves and monitors these plans. Twentyfour states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands currently operate

approved state plans: 22 cover both private and public (state and

local government) employment; Connecticut, New Jersey, New

York and the Virgin Islands cover the public sector only. States and

territories with their own OSHA-approved occupational safety and

health plans must adopt standards identical to, or at least as

effective as, the Federal OSHA standards.

Consultation Services

Consultation assistance is available on request to employers who

want help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful

workplace. Largely funded by OSHA, the service is provided at no

cost to the employer. Primarily developed for smaller employers

with more hazardous operations, the consultation service is

delivered by state governments employing professional safety and

health consultants. Comprehensive assistance includes an

appraisal of all mechanical systems, work practices, and occupational safety and health hazards of the workplace and all aspects of

the employer’s present job safety and health program. In addition,

the service offers assistance to employers in developing and

implementing an effective safety and health program. No penalties

are proposed or citations issued for hazards identified by the

consultant. OSHA provides consultation assistance to the employer

with the assurance that his or her name and firm and any information about the workplace will not be routinely reported to

OSHA enforcement staff.

Under the consultation program, certain exemplary employers

may request participation in OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement

Recognition Program (SHARP). Eligibility for participation in

SHARP includes receiving a comprehensive consultation visit,

demonstrating exemplary achievements in workplace safety and

health by abating all identified hazards, and developing an excellent

safety and health program.

Employers accepted into SHARP may receive an exemption

from programmed inspections (not complaint or accident investiga37
38

tion inspections) for a period of 1 year. For more information

concerning consultation assistance, see OSHA’s website at

www.osha.gov.

Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)

Voluntary Protection Programs and on-site consultation services,

when coupled with an effective enforcement program, expand

employee protection to help meet the goals of the OSH Act. The

VPPs motivate others to achieve excellent safety and health results

in the same outstanding way as they establish a cooperative relationship between employers, employees, and OSHA.

For additional information on VPP and how to apply, contact the

OSHA regional offices listed at the end of this publication.

Strategic Partnership Program

OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program, the newest member of

OSHA’s cooperative programs, helps encourage, assist, and

recognize the efforts of partners to eliminate serious workplace

hazards and achieve a high level of employee safety and health.

Whereas OSHA’s Consultation Program and VPP entail one-on-one

relationships between OSHA and individual worksites, most

strategic partnerships seek to have a broader impact by building

cooperative relationships with groups of employers and employees. These partnerships are voluntary, cooperative relationships between OSHA, employers, employee representatives, and

others (e.g., trade unions, trade and professional associations,

universities, and other government agencies).

For more information on this and other cooperative programs,

contact your nearest OSHA office, or visit OSHA’s website at

www.osha.gov.

Alliance Program

Through the Alliance Program, OSHA works with groups

committed to safety and health, including businesses, trade or

professional organizations, unions and educational institutions,

to leverage resources and expertise to develop compliance

assistance tools and resources and share information with

employers and employees to help prevent injuries, illnesses and

fatalities in the workplace.
Alliance Program agreements have been established with a wide

variety of industries including meat, apparel, poultry, steel, plastics,

maritime, printing, chemical, construction, paper and telecommunications. These agreements are addressing many safety and health

hazards and at-risk audiences, including silica, fall protection,

amputations, immigrant workers, youth and small businesses. By

meeting the goals of the Alliance Program agreements (training

and education, outreach and communication, and promoting the

national dialogue on workplace safety and health), OSHA and the

Alliance Program participants are developing and disseminating

compliance assistance information and resources for employers

and employees such as electronic assistance tools, fact sheets,

toolbox talks, and training programs.

OSHATraining and Education

OSHA area offices offer a variety of information services, such as

compliance assistance, technical advice, publications, audiovisual

aids and speakers for special engagements. OSHA’s Training

Institute in Arlington Heights, IL, provides basic and advanced

courses in safety and health for federal and state compliance

officers, state consultants, federal agency personnel, and private

sector employers, employees, and their representatives.

The OSHA Training Institute also has established OSHA Training

Institute Education Centers to address the increased demand for its

courses from the private sector and from other federal agencies.

These centers include colleges, universities, and nonprofit training

organizations that have been selected after a competition for participation in the program.

OSHA also provides funds to nonprofit organizations, through

grants, to conduct workplace training and education in subjects

where OSHA believes there is a lack of workplace training. Grants

are awarded annually. Grant recipients are expected to contribute

20 percent of the total grant cost.

For more information on grants, training, and education, contact

the OSHA Training Institute, Office of Training and Education, 2020

South Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, (847)

297-4810, or see Outreach on OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.

For further information on any OSHA program, contact your nearest

OSHA regional office listed at the end of this publication.

39
Information Available Electronically

OSHA has a variety of materials and tools available on its website

at www.osha.gov. These include electronic compliance assistance

tools, such as Safety and Health Topics, eTools, Expert Advisors;

regulations, directives and publications; videos and other information

for employers and employees. OSHA’s software programs and

compliance assistance tools walk you through challenging safety

and health issues and common problems to find the best solutions

for your workplace.

A wide variety of OSHA materials, including standards, interpretations, directives and more can be purchased on CD-ROM from

the U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of

Documents, toll-free phone (866) 512-1800.

OSHA Publications

OSHA has an extensive publications program. For a listing of free

or sales items, visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov or contact the

OSHA Publications Office, U.S. Department of Labor, 200

Constitution Avenue, NW, N-3101, Washington, DC 20210:

Telephone (202) 693-1888 or fax to (202) 693-2498.

Contacting OSHA

To report an emergency, file a complaint, or seek OSHA advice,

assistance, or products, call (800) 321-OSHA or contact your nearest

OSHA Regional or Area office listed at the end of this publication.

The teletypewriter (TTY) number is (877) 889-5627.

Written correspondence can be mailed to the nearest OSHA

Regional or Area Office listed at the end of this publication or to

OSHA’s national office at: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational

Safety and Health Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.,

Washington, DC 20210.

By visiting OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov, you can also:

■ file a complaint online,

■ submit general inquiries about workplace safety and health electronically, and

■ find more information about OSHA and occupational safety and

health.

40
OSHA Regional Offices

* These states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved job safety and

health programs (Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and the Virgin Islands plans

cover public employees only). States with approved programs must adopt standards

identical to, or at least as effective as, the Federal OSHA standards.

Note: To get contact information for OSHA Area Offices, OSHA-approved State

Plans and OSHA Consultation Projects, please visit us online at www.osha.gov or

call us at 1-800-321-OSHA.

Region I

(CT,* ME, MA, NH, RI, VT*)

JFK Federal Building, Room E340

Boston, MA 02203

(617) 565-9860

Region II

(NJ,* NY,* PR,* VI*)

201 Varick Street, Room 670

New York, NY 10014

(212) 337-2378

Region III

(DE, DC, MD,* PA, VA,* WV)

The Curtis Center

170 S. Independence Mall West

Suite 740 West

Philadelphia, PA 19106-3309

(215) 861-4900

Region IV

(AL, FL, GA, KY,* MS, NC,* SC,* TN*)

61 Forsyth Street, SW, Room 6T50

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 562-2300

Region V

(IL, IN,* MI,* MN,* OH, WI)

230 South Dearborn Street

Room 3244

Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 353-2220

Region VI

(AR, LA, NM,* OK, TX)

525 Griffin Street, Room 602

Dallas, TX 75202

(972) 850-4145

Region VII

(IA,* KS, MO, NE)

Two Pershing Square

2300 Main Street, Suite 1010

Kansas City, MO 64108

(816) 283-8745

Region VIII

(CO, MT, ND, SD, UT,* WY*)

1999 Broadway, Suite 1690

PO Box 46550

Denver, CO 80202-5716

(720) 264-6550

Region IX

(American Samoa, AZ,* CA,* Guam,

HI,* NV,* Northern Mariana Islands)

90 7th Street, Suite 18-100

San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 625-2547

Region X

(AK,* ID, OR,* WA*)

1111 Third Avenue, Suite 715

Seattle, WA 98101-3212

(206) 553-5930

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www.osha.gov