Prior to leaving a hazardous waste site, decontamination is done in order to?

• A. make sure no contamination leaves the site
• B. remove all contamination from the site
• C. inspect the equipment for leaks
• D. document the decontamination procedure

Answer: (A)

Preventing the spread of contamination off the site is what decontamination before leaving a hazardous waste site is all about. The goal is to remove or minimize anything hazardous on you and your equipment so nothing contaminated is carried beyond the site boundary. This protects coworkers, the public, and the environment from secondary exposure and the potential spread of pollutants. Decon is usually done at the exit with steps like cleaning PPE, boots, and tools and properly handling and disposing of the wash water. It doesn’t imply that the entire site is cleaned of all contamination—that would be a remediation task beyond the immediate exit procedure. While inspecting equipment for leaks and documenting the decontamination process are good safety practices, they aren’t the primary purpose of decontamination before you leave.