While performing clean up at a military site, a worker discovered 400 cylinders containing pentaborane. After consulting reference materials recommended in training classes, it was determined that the material was once used as a solid rocket fuel and could ignite spontaneously. Special isolation and handling procedures were developed and implemented.

While at work in a chemical plant, a worker saw a 5-gallon glass container of methanol hit the floor and shatter. Due to training, he followed procedures and notified his supervisor and the plant emergency-response team. They quickly determined that the methanol posed an inhalation hazard and the plant employees were evacuated until it was determined that the airborne concentrations had been reduced to a safe level.

Training results in recognition of inadequate procedures

A safety supervisor from a remediation firm was directed by an untrained member of senior management to ship a number of drums of hazardous materials without a manifest. The supervisor recognized this as evidence that training is required at all levels.

An excavating crew drilled into a 10-inch diameter water pipe while performing a soil boring operation. Their lack of training in the need to locate all underground utilities could have resulted in serious injury and property damage had the pipe been a gas or electrical line.

A worker reported that after the training program he recognized that non-grounded 55-gallon drums at his plant posed an explosion/spark hazard.

Training changes how people work

Now I know how to look up information about hazardous materials and how to handle them.

After the training, we now have a confined space entry program.

....reported by the Midwest Consortium for Hazardous Waste Worker Training, an NIEHS-supported training program serving the workers of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsion.

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