First Receiver Training at Your Location
The term “First Receiver” typically applies to clinicians and other hospital staff who may receive or treat patients contaminated with chemical, biological or radioactive materials.
First Receivers differ from other first responders (such as firefighters and law enforcement) in that they work in a location away from the site where the hazardous substance contamination occurred. Because they are not present at the scene of the incident, First Receiver exposures to the contamination are limited to the substances that are transported from the incident site, such as hazardous substances on the patients skin or clothing.
The training requirements for First Receivers depend on the individuals’ roles/functions, the zones in which they work, and the probability that they’ll encounter contaminated patients. OSHA has stated in letters of interpretation that HAZWOPER First Responder Operations Level and First Responder Awareness Level training meet the requirements for First Receivers in certain roles and positions.
