Standard Guide for Health and Safety Training of Oil Spill Responders in the United States

1.1 This guide establishes minimum health and safety training standards for three types of oil spill responders: Type A, first responders who are responsible for initial containment and cleanup; Type B, longer-term shoreline cleanup personnel; and Type C, other necessary support personnel who have minimal contact with the contamination.

1.2 The oil covered by this guide includes light, medium, and heavy crudes, as well as hydrocarbon products, such as gasoline, light fuel oil, distillates, and bunker (heavy fuel) oil. It is not aimed at specialty chemicals and other potentially hazardous materials, although some aspects of the training program would apply to those substances.

1.3 A number of topics are not specifically addressed in this guide because they are covered by other standards or guidelines. Examples are hot work practices, maintenance and repair of equipment, fire fighting, electrical hazards, emergency medical care, disposal of wastes, and so forth. The user is expected to become familiar with standards for these areas as required.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.