OSHA Releases Guidance on Training, PPE for EMS Responders

OSHA issued the guidance document Best Practices for Protecting EMS Responders During Treatment and Transport of Victims of Hazardous Substance Releases to address adequate training and PPE for emergency medical services responders who assist victims of hazardous substance release incidents.
Dec. 1, 2009

This document, a companion to OSHA’s Best Practices for Hospital-Based First Receivers, advises that employers provide, at a minimum, awareness level training to EMS responders. Workers receiving awareness-level training are not permitted to rescue or treat contaminated patients, but are responsible for notifying authorities if they suspect hazardous substances at a scene. Operations-level training teaches EMS responders skills for entering hazardous areas and caring for contaminated individuals.

“Healthcare workers, including EMS personnel, play a critical role in a community’s emergency response program,” said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. “Emergency workers who protect the lives of victims at dangerous incidents should not risk becoming victims themselves because they lack proper training and protective clothing.”

The guidance document helps employers to determine the type of training and PPE needed by anticipating the EMS responder’s role in a worst-case scenario, identifying hazards associated with the responder’s assigned duties, and developing an emergency response plan detailing safe accomplishment of those duties.

About the Author

Laura Walter

Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.

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