Final answer:
Employers must conduct weekly inspections of HAZMAT and HAZWASTE sites and maintain records of these inspections as mandated by the RCRA and OSHA. The exact time frame for record retention is not specified and must be checked against OSHA and EPA guidelines. Compliance with these safety and environmental regulations, including proper record-keeping, is essential.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), employers are responsible for managing hazardous waste safely throughout its entire life cycle, from production to disposal, known as the 'cradle to grave' framework. This includes conducting weekly inspections of work centers that handle hazardous materials (HAZMAT) and hazardous waste (HAZWASTE) and maintaining accurate records of these inspections.
Workplace safety is regulated by OSHA, which requires employers to provide safety training in a language and vocabulary understandable to the worker, keep records of work-related injuries and illnesses, perform required workplace tests like air sampling, provide personal protective equipment, and adhere to various standards like health exams. Employers must also display the OSHA Job Safety and Health poster, notify OSHA of serious work-related incidents, and post-citation and injury summary data where workers can see them.
The time frame for how long records should be maintained after weekly inspections is not specified in the information provided, meaning you may need to consult OSHA's record retention policies or the EPA's guidelines on hazardous waste recordkeeping for the specific duration. These regulations are designed to ensure worker safety and environmental protection throughout hazardous material handling, and compliance with record-keeping requirements is a critical component.