Hazardous Materials Technician how-to
How to Decontaminate When Leaving a Work Area
Decontamination prevents you from carrying hazardous materials home or into clean areas.
Decontamination prevents you from carrying hazardous materials home or into clean areas. In short: at; remove; place, then complete the remaining steps below.
Step by step
At the hot zone exit, remove gross contamination from boots and outer clothing.
Remove outer gloves and suits carefully, rolling them inside-out.
Place disposable PPE in labeled waste containers.
Remove the respirator last, after leaving the contaminated area, per procedure.
Wash or shower as required by the site plan.
Inspect skin and report any exposure or symptoms.
Safety reminders for hazardous materials technicians
- Never work on a hazardous waste site without current HAZWOPER training
- Wear the PPE and respirator specified in the site safety plan
- Follow decontamination procedures every time you exit
- Report exposures, symptoms and damaged PPE immediately
Key terms
HAZWOPER · Exclusion zone (hot zone) · Contamination reduction zone (warm zone) · Support zone (cold zone) · Decontamination (decon) · PPE levels A–D: see the full hazardous materials technician glossary.