A significant distinction in the new OSHA 1910.156 Emergency Response Standard is the difference between an ESO organization and a WERE employee.
In the context of the OSHA Emergency Response Standard (29 CFR 1910.120), the terms “WERE” and “ESO” refer to different roles within emergency response operations:
WERE (Workplace Emergency Response Employee): This term typically refers to employees who are designated to respond to emergencies within their workplace. These individuals may have specific training to handle emergencies such as chemical spills, fires, or other hazardous situations. Their training may include basic first aid, fire safety, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). WEREs are often part of a larger emergency response plan and may work alongside local emergency services.
ESO (Emergency Services Organization): This term generally refers to external organizations that provide emergency response services, such as fire departments, hazardous materials teams, or medical response teams. ESOs are typically composed of trained professionals who respond to emergencies outside of the workplace and may assist in larger-scale incidents that exceed the capabilities of the workplace emergency response team.
A fire department is an ESO. An employee who drills on an oil rig who has additional responsibility to respond any emergency is a WERE.
In summary, the key difference lies in their roles and responsibilities: WEREs are internal employees trained to handle emergencies at their workplace, while ESOs are external professional organizations that provide specialized emergency response services.