Chapter 37-1.References.

a. ANSI/ASSP A10.34, Protection of the Public on or Adjacent to Construction Sites (https://webstore.ansi.org/)

b. ANSI/National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Z535, Safety Alerting Standards (https://webstore.ansi.org/)

c. ASTM C825, Standard Specification for Precast Concrete Barriers (https://www.astm.org/Standard/standards-and-publications.html)

d. ASTM F2413, Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective (Safety) Toe Cap Footwear (https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications.html)

e. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highway Administration's "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices" (MUTCD) (https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov)

f. EP 310-1-6a, Sign Standards Manual, Vol 1 (https://www.publications.usace.army.mil/USACE-Publications/Engineer-Pamphlets/)

g. ER 11-1-320, Civil Works Emergency Management Programs (https://www.publications.usace.army.mil/USACE-Publications/Engineer-Regulations/)

h. ER 500-1-1, Emergency Employment of Army and Other Resources - Civil Emergency Management Program (https://www.publications.usace.army.mil/USACE-Publications/Engineer-Regulations/)

i. ER 500-1-28, Emergency Employment of Army and Other Resources - National Response Planning Guide (https://www.publications.usace.army.mil/USACE-Publications/Engineer-Regulations/)

j. FAR Clause 52.236-13, Accident Prevention (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2020-title48-vol2/pdf/CFR-2020-title48-vol2-chap1-subchapH.pdf)

k. National Safety Council (NSC), Work Zone Safety Training (https://www.nsc.org/safety-training/workplace/work-zone-safety)

l. 29 CFR 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards (https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/cfr)

m. 29 CFR 1926, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction (https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/cfr)

n. 44 CFR, Emergency Management and Assistance (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2019-title44-vol1/pdf/CFR-2019-title44-vol1.pdf)

 

Chapter 37-2.Definitions.

a. Air Curtain Incinerator. An incinerator that operates by forcefully projecting a curtain of air across an open chamber or pit in which burning occurs.

b. ENGLink. Online system that USACE uses to track commodities, mission status, and manage deployments. Through ENGLink, team members can report in real time activities that are occurring, commodities being used or installed, personnel needs, and the amount of commodities needed.

 

Chapter 37-3.Personnel Required Qualification/Training.

a. All Government employees reporting for emergency recovery operations must meet the medical requirements in the operation plan 2023-11 USACE Response to All Hazards Events (or the most current version) and must have a current medical clearance in ENGLink prior to deploying.   (1) Employees with known pre-existing non-work-related medical conditions (for example, uncontrolled diabetes, cardiovascular or pulmonary problems, back conditions, pregnancy, or hypertension) may not deploy to emergency operations sites unless specific medical clearance is provided. The USACE medical provider, in conjunction with the employee's personal physician(s), must indicate their current medical condition will not jeopardize their health or their ability to fully perform their duty assignments at deployment sites.   (2) Employees may be returned to their duty station if they experience health problems that may endanger their well-being during deployment.   (3) Employees will be notified that pharmacies and medical services may be limited at the emergency operations site.   (4) USACE personnel must be provided with or obtain the immunizations as required by the current All Hazards OPORD prior to deployment. All immunization data must be updated in ENGLink. Follow-up immunizations are the responsibility of each employee's home duty station.

b. Safety Orientation. Conduct SOH in-briefings and orientation as personnel arrive at the emergency area and prior to beginning work activities.

c. Traffic Control. Flaggers must be trained according to the MUTCD and applicable state DOT requirements before being placed in traffic, unless the state requirements are waived for the emergency. If waived, training and certification, such as the NSC Work Zone Safety Training, is recommended.

d. Health Hazards. Employee must be trained on any health hazards (for example, asbestos, lead paint, radiation, hazardous chemicals) specifically identified by an IH or other QP according to the level of exposure to such hazards according to 29 CFR 1910 and 29 CFR 1926. This applies to both USACE and contractor personnel. See paragraph 37-8.n and chapter 6 for additional information.

 

Chapter 37-4.Roles and Responsibilities.

a. SOH Managers.   (1) The SOH Manager of the district with the geographical responsibility for the emergency response will immediately be alerted of disasters and included in the planning and execution of response and recovery efforts.   (2) The SOH Manger will immediately alert the National SOH Emergency Response Program Manager of all disasters and include them in the planning and execution of response and recovery efforts.   (3) The SOH Manager will assess SOH issues and assure precautions are taken prior to deployment of personnel. Issues to consider include sanitation, drinking water, power supply, living quarters, driving conditions, environmental conditions, and health issues.   (4) The SOH Manager will manage safety and health aspects of emergency operations, provide advice on SOH issues, and provide SOH technical oversight for USACE employees, other federal employees engaged in fulfilling the USACE mission, and quality assurance for contractor employees.

b. Prime contractors.   (1) Prime contractors will have as a minimum a full-time, qualified SOH professional onsite. Provide the qualifications of the SOH professional to the KO or COR for review and acceptance. Additional contractor personnel may be required as determined by the KO or COR.   (2) For debris reduction, the contractor must notify the local fire department and arrange for fire suppression support in case of fire beyond the contractor's firefighting capability.

 

Chapter 37-5.Inspection Requirements.

a. All applicable inspections identified in other chapters of this manual are still applicable for emergency operations mission assignments. This includes, but is not limited to, flood-fighting and Federal Emergency Management Agency missions assigned to USACE.

b. All incinerator placements must be inspected by a USACE SOH professional prior to the start of burning (see para 37-8.i).

 

Chapter 37-6.Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA) Requirements.Develop AHAs according to paragraphs 1-6 or 2-6, as applicable. When construction vehicles and all vehicles exceeding 1-1/2 tons (1.4 metric tons) are required to back-up during operations, all potential hazards and controls to include the use of a spotter will be included in the AHA for the task.

 

Chapter 37-7.Minimum Plan Requirements.

a. Accident Prevention Plan (APP). Develop and submit APPs according to chapter 2.

b. Demolition Plans. For structural demolition activities, like-structures may be combined under a common engineering survey and demolition plan (see chapter 17).   (1) Single-story residential structures that would pose no hazards to neighboring structures or personnel may be demolished using a common engineering survey and demolition plan.   (2) Multiple-story structures or others that could pose risks to personnel or other structures would have individual surveys and plans.

 

Chapter 37-8.General Requirements.

a. All applicable requirements identified in other chapters of this manual are still applicable to emergency operations missions unless otherwise stated in this chapter.

b. SOH Requirements. During emergency operations, it is extremely important to implement the SOH requirements. Personnel often perform unusual, difficult, or hazardous tasks while in a challenging environment, and these conditions may increase risk and the potential for accidents. Additionally, resources are in short supply, and the loss of any resource to an accident reduces the USACE ability to respond.   (1) The SOH of USACE employees, contractors, and members of the public exposed to USACE activities is a primary concern during all USACE emergency operations. SOHOs must provide the necessary input to their emergency management counterparts to ensure planning for SOH concerns, including hazard and risk analysis, is addressed prior to and during emergency operations.   (2) Contract Requirements. Include SOH program requirements in all Government and contract operations. Include FAR clause CFR 52.236-13 in contracts and memoranda of agreement/understanding for emergency operations and recovery assistance.

c. Staffing. Temporarily staff the SOHO in the Geographic District experiencing the disaster with additional safety, industrial hygiene, and medical personnel, as necessary to ensure a comprehensive SOH program is administered for all emergency operations. If a Recovery Field Office (RFO) is established, SOH staffing is usually accomplished by use of SOH functional planning and response team. If a RFO is not established, the Geographic District must establish an emergency operations SOHO (minimum staffing to include a safety manager) dedicated totally to emergency operations. Also, each Emergency Field Office must have a minimum of one SOH professional.

d. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Minimum Requirements for Field Work). For fieldwork (for example, construction sites, industrial operations and maintenance activities, emergency operations, regulatory inspections), minimum requirements include the following:   (1) Short sleeve shirt.   (2) Long pants (excessively long or baggy pants are prohibited).   (3) Protective footwear meeting ASTM F2413 standards.   (4) All personnel working in debris collection/reduction areas must also wear hard hat, safety glasses, Class II (minimum) high-visibility vest, and have hearing protection available.Note. Additional PPE that may be necessary must be provided at the emergency operations site and addressed in the site-specific AHA (see chapter 5).

e. Communications.   (1) Use two-way radios, cellular phones, and computers, as needed, to establish and enhance communications.   (2) Communicate SOH program documents, signs, tags, instructions, etc., to employees and the public in a language they understand.

f. Duty Schedule.   (1) During the first two weeks of an emergency response operation, extended work hours are allowed. Supervisors must monitor employees for signs of stress-related health problems and seek medical assistance as appropriate.   (2) For operations lasting longer than two weeks, USACE and contractor employees must not work more than 84 hours per week. Employees may be required to work up to 12 hours per day, 7 days a week. Work and travel time must allow for 8 hours continuous rest between each work shift.   (3) Employees who are working 12 hours per day, 7 days a week will be provided the opportunity for 24 hours of rest after working 14 days; and 48 hours of rest after working 21 days. Employees should take at least 24 hours off for rest after a continuous 30-day period of work and at least 24 hours every 2 weeks thereafter. Supervisors will monitor employees for signs of stress-related health problems and seek medical assistance as appropriate.   (4) All days of rest must be scheduled on a non-scheduled workday; there are no exceptions. A non-scheduled workday is a day without regularly scheduled work hours. It must be a day where only overtime is scheduled. This includes Saturdays, Sundays, or Federal Holidays. Tour of duty schedules cannot be changed to accommodate a day of rest to be taken when the employee would have otherwise been set to work regularly scheduled work hours.

g. Machinery and Mechanized Equipment (see chapters 16 and 18).   (1) Inspection of equipment is critical, as the notice to mobilize can be extremely short and equipment may not be up to USACE safety standards. Whenever feasible, contract specifications must provide adequate mobilization time to allow equipment to be inspected and brought up to USACE standards. Do not use equipment not meeting the requirements of this manual.   (2) Trucks hauling debris on public highways must have physical barriers (that is, covers and either tail gates or chain link fencing) to preclude debris from falling from the truck. Tailgates or chain link fencing must cover the full area at the rear of the dump body.   (a) Trucks must be equipped with back-up alarms.   (b) Use rollover warning devices for long-bed end dump (see para 18-8.b).   (c) Do not add sideboards to trucks to increase their capacity unless specific design specifications are provided to contractors as part of the scope of work or are provided by the manufacturer.   (d) Cut trees, to include leaners and hangers, into manageable size to allow placement in the bed of a truck. Secure all loads so that any debris, dust-like emission, aggregate (for example, gravel), soil, or stump cannot be ejected during transport to the final reduction site. After final reduction, use tarping systems that prevents workers from being exposed to fall hazards greater than 6 feet (1.8 m). Secure and tarp all loads leaving the reduction site.   (3) Prior to operation, contractors must develop written SOPs for each brush chipper, shredder, and grinder.   (a) SOPs must incorporate the manufacturer's recommendations for safe operation of the equipment as well as the use of a safety zone and fire prevention efforts.   (b) Keep a copy of the operations and maintenance manuals for chippers, grinders, and shredders onsite.   (c) A minimum 200 feet (61 m) safety zone is required for authorized persons during operation of chippers, shredders, and grinders unless documentation or actual practice indicates otherwise. Place signs every 200 feet (61 m) to identify the safety zone.   (d) Keep the public at least 300 feet (91.4 m) from all chipper operations.   (e) Do not permit unauthorized personnel to enter the safety zone while the chipper is in operation.   (f) Provide operators of front-end loaders, skid steers, knuckle booms, and other equipment working in debris reduction areas or feeding grinders, shredders, or chippers with protection according to chapter 18.   (g) Whenever chipper operations are shut down for any significant length of time (for example, overnight, or when the chipper will be left unattended), clear equipment walls, crevice drums, cutter heads and hammers, and drive mechanisms of all combustible materials by blowing, washing, and wetting down.   (h) Immediately remove any material contaminated by leakage of hydraulic fluids, oils, or fuel. Minimize leakage through preventive maintenance.   (i) Because piles of chipped wood are susceptible to spontaneous combustion, implement fire controls such as segregation, separation, and adequate water supply.   (4) Limit the number of workers in proximity to loaders, trucks, and other equipment to the minimum necessary to accomplish the job.   (a) In restricted areas or areas with reduced access or visibility, take special precautions to ensure the safety of workers on the ground.   (b) Sequence the work to minimize equipment movement when personnel are in the work area.   (c) Workers around operating machinery or vehicular traffic must wear high-visibility apparel according to chapter 5. These workers include, but are not limited to, flag persons, signalpersons, spotters, survey crews, and inspectors.   (5) Loaders, trackhoes, and other construction equipment in debris reduction areas must have functional lights in the front and back in order to work at night or during periods of reduced visibility.   (6) Select and use aerial lifts/platforms/bucket trucks according to chapter 22.   (7) Unless provided by the manufacturer, seat belts are not required at the operator's station on articulating grapple trucks (that is, knuckle boom trucks). If provided by the manufacturer, seat belts are required to be worn.   (8) Access ladders must be a minimum of 12 inches (30.5 cm) width with 16 inches (40.6 cm) recommended.

h. Traffic Control.   (1) Traffic control is extremely important on highways, in residential areas, and at construction sites. When traffic may pose a hazard to operations, public roads must be closed. Coordinate road closings in writing with appropriate local agencies. Traffic controls and signage must comply with the MUTCD.   (2) When a road cannot be closed, take the following precautions:   (a) Place "FLAGGER", "WORKERS", or similar appropriate signs along the roadway, 1,000 feet (304.8 m) and 500 feet (152.4 m) before the work zone, on both sides of the work zone.   (b) Use a sufficient number of flag persons to control traffic within the work area.   (c) All flaggers must wear high-visibility apparel, safety-toed footwear, and hard hats according to chapter 5.   (d) Use "STOP/SLOW" paddles, preferably mounted on a 6 feet (1.8 m) staff, for traffic control.   (e) Flag persons must be able to communicate simultaneously with each other and with the foreman, and effectively signal and direct the affected public.   (f) Use two-way radios whenever visual contact between flaggers is not maintained.   (g) Flaggers must be trained according to paragraph 37-3.c prior to being placed in traffic.   (3) Keep fugitive dust emissions to a minimum within the work boundaries, especially when people are in/near debris towers.

i. Debris Reduction.   (1) General Information.   (a) The contractor must notify the local fire department and arrange for fire suppression support in case of fire beyond the contractor's firefighting capability.   (b) Make readily available adequate supplies of water or fire extinguishers and use fire watches. Use a continuous fire watch at debris collection/reduction sites whenever there is reduction taking place or there is a visible flame. Use a fire watch when the site is not being actively worked and the potential exists for spontaneous combustion or other fire hazard. The fire watch must have at least one 20 lb. ABC fire extinguisher available and the means to expediently communicate with the site supervisor and designated fire response agencies. (See chapter 9)   (c) Do not co-mingle hazardous or containerized ignitable material with debris.   (d) Do not excavate pits to closer than 1 foot (0.3 m) of the ground water table. Line the pits with a compacted clay layer, or similar, to minimize migration of ash to the aquifer.   (e) Do not exceed particulate emissions of state and EPA standards for burning operations. The site manager must be continuously aware of wind conditions and adjust accordingly to control smoke encroachment into residential areas. Install wind meters onsite to track wind conditions. Personnel must work outside of direct smoke streams.   (f) Provide eye wash facilities at all burning and grinding operations (see chapter 6).   (g) For night operations, provide adequate lighting of 55 Lux (5 fc) in all outdoor work areas (see chapter 7).   (h) Post a Notice sign stating, "AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY" at entrances to debris collection/reduction areas. See graphics standard in EP 310-1-6a or ANSI Z535 series equivalent.   (i) Post a Danger sign stating, "Keep Back" at the edge of the 100 feet (30.5 m) setback from air curtain incinerators and open burn areas as a warning to personnel. See graphics standard in EP 310-1-6a or ANSI Z535 series equivalent.   (j) Clear a minimum 30 feet (9.1 m) wide fire lane around the full perimeter of the site and install a silt fence along the perimeter. Keep the fire lane clear of all combustible materials.   (k) Conduct all burning operations, including air-curtain incinerators, at a distance of no less than 1,000 feet (305 m) from an occupied dwelling or business, or a dwelling or business in such condition that it can be occupied.   (l) For outbuildings such as barns, sheds, structures destroyed by storms, tree lines and similar, the minimum separation distance is 300 feet (91.4 m), subject to local authority approval.   (m) Do not conduct burning operations within 100 feet (30.5 m) of overhead utility lines.   (2) Debris/Mulch Piles.   (a) Maintain at least 100 feet (30.5 m) between the debris/mulch piles and the burn area or incinerator.   (b) Maintain at least 1000 feet (305 m) between the debris/mulch piles and the nearest occupied dwelling or business or a dwelling or business in such condition that it can be occupied.   (c) Do not place debris/mulch piles directly under transmission lines nor locate them within 100 feet (30.5 m) of transmission towers.   (d) Clear a minimum 30 feet (9.1 m) wide fire lane around each debris/mulch pile. Keep the fire lane clear of all combustible materials.   (e) Do not stack mulch piles higher than 20 feet (6.1 m) high for more than seven consecutive days due to the increased risk of spontaneous combustion.   (3) Air-Curtain Incinerator Operations.   (a) Prior to operating an air-curtain incinerator, the contractor must develop a written AHA and SOP. Brief employees on the AHA and SOP and make it readily available for their review. In addition, the contractor must have all incinerator placements inspected by a USACE SOH professional prior to the start of burning and ensure that the installed unit is maintained throughout the life of the activity.   (b) The design of air-curtain operations must provide for efficient burning of materials. If operating optimally, there should be minimal to no visible smoke plume above the pit.   (c) Equipment (for example, trackhoes) that feed burn pits/debris piles must have a fully enclosed cab equipped with an air filtration and pressurization system. Workers requiring respirators must be enrolled in the RPP and meet all applicable requirements according to chapter 5.   (d) Install a 1 foot (0.3 m) high warning barrier the length of the charging side of the pit to warn equipment operators. Construct it out of non-combustible material.   (e) Construct pits out of highly compactable material that will hold their shape.(e-1) If a manufactured fire box is not provided, the incineration pits must be made of Type B soil (that is., cohesive soil), and be reinforced with earth anchors, wire mesh, or other items in order to support the weight of loaders.(e-2) Check the edges of the pit for integrity on a regular basis to prevent unexpected cave-ins or collapse.(e-3) Install an impervious layer of clay, or similar, on the bottom of the pit to seal the ash from the aquifer. Repair or replace the clay liner if scraped by dozers.(e-4) The air-curtain pit must not extend more than 6 inches (15.2 cm) further at each end than the blower system.(e-5) The ends of the pit must be near vertical and extend to the top of the pit.   (f) If a pick-and-drop debris pile is located within 100 feet (30.5 m) of the air curtain incinerator, the total volume of the pick-and-drop debris pile(s) supporting an incinerator must not be more than four times the volume of the incinerator pit.   (g) Place a 12-inch (30.5 cm) soil seal on the lip of the air curtain incineration pit to seal the blower nozzle. The nozzle must be 3 inches (7.6 cm) to 6 inches (15.2 cm) from the edge of the pit.   (4) Open Burning Operations.   (a) Open burning may involve one of the following:(a-1) Ignition of brush piles in rows on top of the ground.(a-2) Digging a fire pit in the ground or constructing the pit above ground using berms.(a-3) Constructing a 3-sided bermed pit open at one end to allow equipment tending the fire to push the brush pile to one end and continue feeding. All brush is contained below the top of the bermed area.   (b) When open burning and sustained wind speeds reach 15 mph (24.1 km/h), do not add additional material to the burn pile.(b-1) Full burning may resume when sustained wind speeds drop below 15 mph (24.1 km/h).(b-2) When sustained wind speeds reach 20 mph (32.1 km/h), fires must be wetted or knocked down to control spread of fires.   (c) The areal extent of an open burning area must not exceed 200 feet by 200 feet (61 m by 61 m).(c-1) If space permits the use of multiple open burning areas, maintain a 30 feet (9.1 m) fire lane between the open burning areas.(c-2) The load approach area of the pits must be able to support the loading equipment without damaging the structural integrity of the pit walls.(c-3) Construct a stop of non-combustible material no closer than 10 feet (3 m) of the edge of the pit to prevent equipment from falling into the pit.   (d) When burning in pits:(d-1) AND the top of the brush pile remains below the top of the pit AND sustained winds reach 25 mph (40.2 km/h), do not add additional material to the pile.(d-2) AND sustained wind speeds reach 30 mph (48.3 km/h), fires must be wetted or knocked down to control spread of fires.(d-3) AND the brush pile extends above the top of the pit AND sustained wind speeds reach 15 mph (24.1 km/h), do not add more to the burn pile.(d-4) AND the brush pile extends above the top of the pit AND sustained wind speeds reach 20 mph (32.2 km/h), all fires must be wetted or knocked down.(d-4) Do not stack debris in the burning area higher than 10 feet (3 m) above the original ground level.   (5) Ash Management.   (a) Extinguish the burn approximately two hours before anticipated removal of the ash mound. Remove the ash mound before it reaches 2 feet (0.6 m) below the lip of the incineration pit.   (b) The contractor must exercise dust control measures while handling ash, especially during transport. Do not transport ash until it is proven fully extinguished (that is, soaked with water, producing no steam, having no visible evidence of residual hot embers).

j. Temporary Roofing.   (1) During emergency operations that involve residential temporary roofing, RFO Commanders may permit:   (a) The use of athletic footwear by workers performing only temporary roofing operations.   (b) The removal of hard hats by workers on roof tops.   (2) Provide and use fall protection according to chapter 21 and figure 37-1.   (3) While workers are on the roof, monitor the weather.

k. Tower Safety Requirements.   (1) An RPE must design all towers. Clearly mark them with weight capacities. Do not exceed the weight capacities under any circumstance. An option in place of wooden towers, is to use an engineered internal stairs scaffold designed by an RPE and that meets all manufacturer recommendations for safety concerns. Use of the engineered internal stairs scaffold still requires environmental protection. Contractors must comply with the design criteria included in the debris removal contracts.   (2) All towers must be ground-fault current interrupter protected, receptacles must have gasket weather-proof coverings, and both electrical boxes and conduit must be rated for outdoor use (see chapter 11).   (3) Do not make modifications to a tower that will affect its structural stability without first obtaining approval of the RPE.   (4) Personnel must not lean out of tower windows nor use stools or other steps to decrease the fall protection provided by the window height. If visibility of a load is obstructed, use a mirror or other tool.   (5) Tag all portable generators green after having been inspected and deemed in compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations, especially in regard to proper grounding.   (6) The KO or COR may approve the use of scissor lifts during the first 72 hours of the emergency operation while the tower is being constructed.   (a) No more than two workers may simultaneously occupy a scissor lift unless the manufacturer allows additional occupancy.   (b) Provide all personnel with and require them to wear proper fall protection with restraint lines while in the scissor lift (see chapter 21).   (c) Protect scissor lifts from impact by suitable impact protection equal to that required by a tower in the same location.   (7) Provide all towers with traffic barrier protection. The traffic barrier protection must consist of a minimum of eight precast concrete barriers measuring 10 feet long x 24 inches wide x 32 inches (3 m long x 61 cm wide x 81.3 cm wide) tall and must meet the ASTM C825 design specifications. Place three concrete barriers end to end parallel to the tower on each side. Place one concrete barrier on each end of the tower, with the concrete barrier nearest the stairs being offset 32 inches (81.3 cm) for pedestrian access to the tower.

l. Tree Maintenance (see chapter 31).

m. Public Safety. Establish work area delineation, traffic control devices, and the use of flag persons according to ANSI/ASSP A10.34. Issue service announcements as needed to promote the safety of the public exposed to USACE activities. Install barriers and fencing to restrict the public from operation sites. Communicate with the public in a courteous manner.

n. Health Hazard Recognition.   (1) Identify and control health hazards (for example, asbestos, lead paint, radiation, hazardous chemicals) through the recommendations of an IH. Provide instrumentation, as required, for the detection and measurement of health hazards. After hazards have been identified, and measured, post this information at the work site, and keep copies of this posting by both the contractor and the relevant local USACE field office's Quality Assurance Team. Institute controls where required and include a description of the controls as part of the APP.   (2) Asbestos Recognition and Control. Before work begins where the potential exists for an exposure to asbestos containing material, develop an Asbestos Management Plan based on the age of the buildings, type of typical building materials for the period and location, and any observations of debris or demolition areas. See chapter 6 for asbestos-related work requirements.   (a) An IH with asbestos training or an Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act trained supervisor or manager must write the plan.   (b) If possible, an asbestos inspector or an IH should inspect the anticipated work to identify and quantify asbestos hazards.   (c) The plan must address control mechanisms such as wetting with water or surfactant, worker and community protection, air sampling, and safe transport and disposal.   (d) As the asbestos volume and type may change, the pre-inspections of the debris and demolition areas must continue for each new sector.

o. Accident Reporting.   (1) See chapters 1 or 2, as applicable.   (2) Report all contractor motor vehicle accidents and near misses occurring on public highways for trend analysis only.

p. Variances to Safety and Health Requirements. The onsite RFO SOH Manager may recommend variances to the requirements contained within this manual to the Geographic District SOHO.   (1) The Geographic District SOHO must review the variance requests and concur or non-concur with each. Geographic District SOHOs must exercise prudent judgment in their recommendations for granting variances with due consideration of existing disaster conditions.   (2) After Geographic District SOHO concurrence, coordinate the recommended variance with the KO and COR for their concurrence and then give it to the RFO Commander for approval.   (3) The RFO Commander will approve or disapprove all requests for variance.   (4) Immediately provide a copy of all approved variances to Division and HQ SOHO for information only. The variances approved by the RFO Commander will expire at the end of the emergency operation mission.

 

Chapter 37-9.Figures and Tables.

 

Chapter 37-10.Checklists and Forms.Not Applicable.