United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

WS Directive 2.640 09/30/11

RESPONDING TO OIL SPILLS, HAZARDOUS MATERIALS OPERATIONS

1. PURPOSE

To establish general safety guidelines and responsibilities for Wildlife Services (WS) 

personnel assisting in wildlife recovery, hazing, and other activities related to oil spills 

and hazardous materials events or sites.

2. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

This is a new Directive.

3. BACKGROUND 

WS has become increasingly involved with conducting wildlife recovery and other 

activities in response to hazards posed when oil spills or hazardous materials events 

occur. This policy applies to WS personnel who participate in field activities where there 

is potential for exposure to hazardous materials, substances, or wastes that may present a 

health hazard. Hazardous waste is any material that is defined in 40 CFR Section 261.3.

This policy does not apply to pesticide or immobilization/euthanasia applications, 

allergens or irritants encountered in normal daily activities, or laboratories. 

4. DEFINITIONS

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): 

a. Level A – The greatest level of skin, respiratory and eye protection. Requires 

specialized training and certified respirator fit testing.

b. Level B – The greatest level of respiratory protection is necessary but a lesser level of 

skin protection is needed. Requires specialized training and certified respirator fit testing.

c. Level C – The concentration(s) and type(s) of airborne substance(s) is known and the 

criteria for using air purifying respirators are met. Requires specialized training and 

certified respirator fit testing.

d. Level D – Nuisance contamination only. Atmosphere contains no known hazards. A 

work uniform affords minimal protection. The following constitute level D protection; 

Coveralls or suitable work uniform, appropriate boots/shoes, and gloves, boot coverings, 

safety glasses or chemical splash goggles, hard hat (all as optional and as applicable and 

appropriate).
5. POLICY

a. All WS personnel working directly within a spill area must be certified and current 

with approved Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) Hazardous Waste Operations 

and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training. There must also be at least one WS 

person with 40 hours of certified HAZWOPER training assisting with the response. 

b. WS employees will not enter sites classified as Levels A, B, or C unless entry is 

absolutely essential as determined and approved by the Regional Director or NWRC 

Director or their representative. Certified and trained WS employees may be allowed to 

enter hazardous waste sites classified as level D when approved by on-site project leaders 

or their supervisors as designated by a WS State Director or NWRC Project Leader. 

c. Project Leaders and/or other Supervisors are responsible for:

1. Ensuring that employees who participate are fully trained in all aspects of 

responsibilities in their hazardous materials operations, and all appropriate 

certifications are valid and current.

2. Ensuring that employees under their supervision receive appropriate medical 

monitoring.

3. Ensuring that employees are informed of the appropriate PPE required while on 

site.

4. Consulting with the designated on-site safety manager to ensure that hazardous 

sites are monitored by appropriate and qualified personnel to detect potential 

emerging or changing hazards prior to, and during employee occupation. 

5. Prohibiting WS employees from entering hazardous material sites which are 

classified as Levels A through C, unless properly approved.

d. All WS employees working directly within a designated spill area shall:

1. Observe and follow all policies and procedures required for the tasks assigned. 

2. Participate in daily safety briefings as required.

3. Maintain and wear the appropriate PPE, and follow safety protocols.

4. Maintain a current tetanus vaccination status.

5. Report any substandard safety items to the safety officer and to their 

Supervisor/Project Leader as appropriate.

6. Report any injury/incident/accident/illness to the safety officer and to their 

Supervisor/Project Leader as appropriate.
6. RELEVANT CONTACT INFORMATION

Any WS State program or NWRC Field Station that is initially asked to assist with an oil 

spill response should contact the WS Surveillance and Emergency Response System 

(SERS) Toll Free phone number at (877) 303-6363 and the appropriate WS Regional 

Office for proper notification. 

7. REPORTING CHEMICAL SPILLS

To report a spill, contact the federal government's centralized reporting center, the 

National Response Center (NRC), at 1-800-424-8802. The NRC is staffed 24 hours a day 

by U.S. Coast Guard personnel. The individual reporting the spill should be prepared to 

provide as much information about the incident as possible. 

8. REFERENCES

Executive Order 12196, Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal 

Employees (02/26/1980)

Title 29 CFR Section 1910.120, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response

(04/3/06)

Title 29 CFR Section 1960, Basic Program Elements for Federal Employees, 

Occupational Safety and Health Programs (10/21/08)

Title 40 CFR Section 261.3, Definition of Hazardous Waste (07/01/09)

WS Directive 2.120, National Wildlife Disease Surveillance and Emergency Response 

Program (10/07/05)

WS Directive 2.601, Safety (10/07/05)

WS Directive 2.620, WS Aviation Safety and Operations (02/08/09)

WS Directive 2.625, Pyrotechnics, Rocket Net Charges and Incidental Explosive 

Materials (01/06/06)

WS Directive 2.630, Watercraft Use (6/17/09)

WS Directive 2.635, Zoonotic Diseases and Personal Protection Equipment (04/29/09)

Deputy Administrator