This EPA course is designed to help you achieve a general awareness of arsenic and the dangers of arsenic exposure. The course will explore potential sources of arsenic, the risks and symptoms of exposure, and applicable regulations pertaining to arsenic. It will also provide strategies to prevent arsenic exposure in the workplace and community.
What are the governing regulations?
The EPA oversees the policies for arsenic contamination of the environment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provide guidance for preventing workers from being exposed to arsenic. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) sets "threshold limit value" (TLV) guidelines for industrial chemicals such as arsenic.
Who must take this training?
Anyone who is exposed to arsenic on the job, and their employers, should understand the hazards of unsafe exposure to arsenic and be familiar with safe work practices that minimize the risk of poisoning or injury.
Case Study: The communities of Sunland Park and Santa Teresa in New Mexico have been battling elevated levels of arsenic in the region's drinking water. Water sample test results showed a consistent pattern of dangerously high arsenic levels. The utility responsible for drinking water, the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA), violated the EPA Safe Drinking Water Act multiple times from February 2012 through April 2016. Violations occurred in all of the utility's water system, including its wells, the two arsenic treatment plants, and a storage tank. The EPA reported that CRRUA failed to sample its water for arsenic, or failed to sample it correctly three times during those years. CRRUA also failed to issue the legally required public advisory notices for three quarters.
Key Takeaway: This gross oversight and irresponsibility on the part of CRRUA jeopardized the health and well-being of all of the citizens who relied on its water. Although individuals may take some precautions, the responsibility of protecting people from arsenic exposure rests largely on government agencies. In this case, the agency failed miserably in its responsibility.
Specific topics covered in this course include:
Our Arsenic Safety Training course consists of content, graphics, audio, self-check questions, and a final exam.
It will take a MINIMUM of 2 hours to complete this online course. The student may log on and off as needed. A bookmark will be set so when they log back in they will return to where they left off.
We have no restrictions on how long a person takes to complete a course.
Likewise, if you are purchasing for others, we have no time limit on assigning courses. So you can purchase a larger quantity then you currently need and take advantage of volume discounts.
The development of a program to control and monitor arsenic exposure is the best way for employers to protect their workers and for community agencies to protect their citizens. Having a program in place is particularly important when workers or residents are likely to be exposed to arsenic.
Upon successful completion each student will have immediate access to a printable certificate and wallet card.
Each student will receive 0.2 CEUs (or 2 CMEs) from Compliance Training Online® for completing this course.
Other related Compliance Training Online® courses (see our complete list of courses) include:
