5.1 The techniques of air monitoring are many and varied. This guide is intended to describe standard approaches that are used in designing an air monitoring program to protect waste management site workers.

5.2 When entering a remedial action site to initiate an investigation or a cleanup operation, operating personnel may be faced with fire, explosion, and acute or chronic health hazards. A robust safety and health program, including site-specific injury and illness prevention program (IIPP) and a safety and health plan, must be in place to direct worker activity. Details for such plans can be found in the OSHA Interim Final Rule for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response and Refs (1, 2).8 Air monitoring is an integral part of such a program. This guide describes equipment and sampling procedures which can be used to evaluate the airborne hazard potential so as to gain and maintain a safe work environment at the site.

5.3 Upon obtaining air quality measurements at the site, a decision must be made as to whether conditions are under control and safe or not. That decision will depend on the nature and concentrations of the contaminants (toxicity, reactivity, volatility, etc.), the spatial extent (area affected, number of workers, etc.) of the contaminants, and the level of worker protection available and needed. Since all such parameters are typically site specific, this guide does not include air quality measurement based guidance on decision making.

5.4 This guide does not include monitoring sites containing radioactive materials, nor does it cover general safety aspects, such as access to emergency equipment or medical support for emergency needs. These items should be covered in a work place safety and health plan.

5.5 Ideally, this guide is used in combination with Guide D4687.

1.1 This guide is intended to provide a standardized approach for establishing and carrying out an air monitoring program to protect workers at waste management facilities. This guide may apply to routine operations at an active treatment, storage, or disposal site or the extraordinary conditions that can be encountered in opening and cleaning up a remedial action site.

1.2 The user shall understand that it is impossible to predict all the issues that could arise at a waste management facility due to hazardous airborne emissions. Although air contaminant measurements obtained in accordance with this guide may indicate acceptable or tolerable levels of toxic agents are present, care and judgment must still be exercised before concluding that all atmospheric contaminants at the site are under control and that a reasonable safe work environment exists.