The Oklahoma State
Department of Health (OSDH) now requires a consistent
certification/recertification training program for all Health
Care Facilities (HCF) in Oklahoma
that are participating in the
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR)
grant. This program emphasizes adherence to the January 2005
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) release of
the “Best Practices for Hospital-Based First Receivers of
Victims from Mass Casualty Incidents Involving the Release of
Hazardous Substances”. Please note that in order for the state
to incur the costs of your facility’s training, the training
included in this program must be completed by the end of this
ASPR fiscal year, August 8, 2009.
Oklahoma State
University (OSU) CEAT Continuing Education Department has
produced a course
in conjunction with the Oklahoma State Department of Health
(OSDH) titled “HAZWOPER for First
Receivers Certification/2009 Recertification Course.” This
course meets and/or exceeds the requirements and guidelines of
OSHA, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This program is a state-wide
recognized program. If a participant leaves the employment of
one facility within the state for employment with another
facility, the participant’s certification qualifications will be
maintained. The current employer is then responsible for
training on conditions unique to their facility.
Under this contract
CEAT Continuing Education agrees to meet the applicable portion
of FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act: 34 CFR
Section 99). Necessary recordkeeping regarding FERPA is
included in this training. In order to meet the Federal Privacy
requirements, all participants must complete a release form to
give CEAT Continuing Education permission to release their exam
scores to OSDH and the employer. The form (page 1 of the exam),
containing an original signature, must be submitted to CEAT
Continuing Education prior to the participant taking the exam.
It remains the
employer (HCF) responsibility that employee qualifications meet
OSHA medical requirements under both HAZWOPER 29 CFR 1910.120
and Respiratory Protection 29 CFR 1910.134, and to keep accurate
employee medical and training records.
