What is the first safety planning step before conducting a pretreatment inspection?

The first safety planning step before conducting a pretreatment inspection is to review the facility's industrial waste permit application and correspondence file. This review is essential because it provides critical information about the facility's operations, the types of materials they handle, and any specific conditions or limits imposed by the permit. Understanding the regulatory framework and the specifics of what the facility is permitted to discharge helps identify potential hazards and prepare adequately for the inspection.

By being informed about the facility's permitted activities, inspectors can approach the site with a clearer understanding of the risks involved, as well as ensure compliance with environmental standards. This foundational knowledge supports the identification of safety issues relevant to the materials or processes in use at the facility, which is necessary before any actions or assessments can be properly made.

Conducting a risk assessment and assembling safety gear, while important, typically follow this initial step. Notifying local emergency services may be relevant in high-risk situations but is not the first step in the standard safety planning protocol before an inspection.