Homeless Encampment Clean-up Safety
Duration (Hours and Minutes): 4 Hour
Homeless Encampment Cleanup Safety
The focus of this course is to provide necessary safety information to students to ensure they know how to plan, approach, and safely clean up homeless encampment sites. This course addresses safety topics that will/may apply to encampment cleanup sites located on city streets, construction sites, remote (undeveloped land) locations, etc.
Course curriculum is designed to meet training requirements as regulated by OSHA for those hazards in which the students may encounter.
Topics to be discussed are, but not limited to:
• Overview of the general hazards related to homeless encampment cleanup activities
• Site safety control of persons and animals prior to clean-up crew arrival
• Site safety control of persons and animals during clean-up activities
• Necessary/beneficial tools & equipment needs
• Subject-Specific Safety Topics
• Personal Protective Equipment (glasses, respirators, gloves, footwear, bodywear)
• Respiratory Protection Training (airborne particulates from contaminated soil / objects, illicit drugs, etc.)
• Bloodborne Pathogens Safety (blood, bodily fluids, and contaminated sharps)
• Heat Illness Prevention (Outdoor clean-up activities)
• Hazard Communication (disinfecting/cleaning chemical usage)
• Hazardous substances recognition/avoidance
• Reptile and Insect Safety (snakes, spiders, etc.)
• Animal Attack Safety (dogs, cats, rats, other rabid animals)
• De-Escalation Awareness Training (incidental confrontation with inhabitants)
Code/Regulations:
Cal OSHA 3203; 3380; 5144; 5193; 3395;, 5194, and
Fed OSHA General Duty Clause; 1910.132, .133, .134, .135, .136, .138; 1910.1030; 1910.1200.
Frequency: Initial (prior to performance of cleanup activities), recommended every year for employees who continue these job activities.
Target Audience: All employees who are assigned to homeless encampment cleanup job activities.
Related Safety Resource: Before conducting a homeless encampment cleanup, employers and employees should understand the biological, chemical, environmental, and personal safety hazards they may encounter. Read our article, “Risks of Homeless Encampment Cleanup—What You Need to Know,” for an overview of common cleanup risks and why proper planning, protective equipment, and employee training are essential.
