first responder chemical response awareness
TRANSCRIPT
P bar Y Safety Consultants
FIRST RESPONDERChemical Response Awareness
Awareness Level Training
Train to go home alive!
P bar Y Safety Consultants
First Responder OperationResponders at the operations level are individuals who
respond to releases or potential releases of hazardous substances as part of the initial response to the site for the purpose of protecting nearby persons, property, or the environment from the effects of the release. They are trained to respond in a defensive fashion without actually trying to stop the release. Their function is to contain the release from a safe distance, keep it from
spreading, and prevent exposures.
P bar Y Safety Consultants
THE FIRST RESPONDER SHOULD PROTECT THEMSELVES FIRST!
Isolation / Protection Isolate the area by prohibiting accessMove un-injured & un-contaminated people
outside of the release areaIsolate anyone contaminated
P bar Y Safety Consultants
First on Scene
First Responders (FRA) on the scene must:
• Establish command/control (scene management) • Detect the presence of hazardous materials • Begin identification of hazards • Evacuation • Decontamination/personnel protection • Isolate incident/identify zones of activity • Contain incident without risking exposure • Seek additional appropriate resources.
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Thinking WAY OUTSIDE THE BOXEssential attitudes for responders "first on the scene," who have been trained at the awareness level: • Hazardous materials incidents are not like routine calls.
• Every responder must be realistic about their capabilities and limitations.
• The primary responsibility of every first responder is to promote safety for all.
• Coordinate and cooperate with all agencies responding to hazardous materials incidents.
Hazardous materials emergencies are different. These: • May pollute the environment. • May pose health risk to public. • May pose health risk to responders. • May require specialized clothing. • May require specialized cleanup.
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Simplified Definition
Any substance or material, solid, liquid or gas, that when released to the environment is capable of
causing damage, injury, illness or death.
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Hazardous Materials Incidents
These incidents are unique because they require specialized protective measures not normally
available to first responders AND they demand a different operational approach!
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Think as we are arriving not arriving and thinking because it maybe too late
Pre-emergency planning is needed for all levels of hazmat response. When developing hazardous materials emergency plans, one should consider:
• Hazard Analysis • Resource Identification • Hazard analysis helps you: • Know what to expect. • Set goals and priorities. • Make decisions about resources and budgets. • Identify level of commitment. • Resource identification includes the following: • What chemicals are manufactured, used, stored or moved through the community or work
place? Where are they? • How are the chemicals contained, transported and stored? In what quantity? • How are the chemicals used? • What routes of travel are used? What is the frequency of movement? • What can these chemicals affect if there is an unintentional release?
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Response GoalsResponse Goals
Recognition
Isolation
Protection
Notification
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Think THINK AGAINWhen enroute to a hazardous materials incident, responders should consider: • Wind direction and speed. • If the hazardous substance has been identified. • Any available pre-emergency plans. • Additional resources needed. The person first on the scene should make sure adequate resources are on the way to cope with the emergency. Such resources must be able to: • Isolate the area. • Stabilize the scene. • Decontaminate. • Treat and transport any victims. • Protect property and environment. • Evacuate the surrounding area.
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Operational-Level Rescue Actions
• Conducting searches during reconnaissance or defensive activities
• Conducting searches on the edge of the hot zone• Directing victims to the decontamination area• Assisting with decontamination while not coming into
contact with the hazardous material itself• Assisting with the identification of victims• Giving instructions to a large number of people for mass
decontamination
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Approaching the Scene Safely
• Identify and evaluate problem locations and hazardous occupancies during emergency response planning.
• Include remote observation/assessment steps in the emergency plan.
• Always approach the scene from uphill, upwind, and upstream if at all possible.
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Approaching the Scene Safely
• Use binoculars, a spotting scope, a camera lens, or a sight scope for observation.
• Report any unusual conditions to the telecommunications/dispatch center.
• Use the assessment location as a temporary staging area if reconnaissance teams must approach on foot.
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Incident Priorities
• Life safety
• Incident stabilization
• Protection of property and the environment
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Assessments to MakeBefore Taking Action
• Risk to rescuers• Ability of rescuers to protect themselves• Probability of rescue• Difficulty of rescue• Capabilities and resources of on-scene forces• Possibilities of explosions or sudden material
releases• Available escape routes and safe havens• Constraints of time and distance
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Canadian Agencies Regulating Hazardous Materials
• Transport Canada (TC)• Environment Canada• Health Canada• Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Products Most OftenInvolved in Haz Mat Incidents
• Flammable/combustible liquids• Corrosives• Anhydrous ammonia• Chlorine
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Hazardous Materials States
• Hazardous materials may be:– Elements– Compounds – Mixtures
• May be found in gaseous, liquid, or solid states or a combination of these states
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Hazardous Materials Hazards
• May present a direct threat to health or pose physical hazards
• Hazards range from insignificant to catastrophic
• Exposure may be acute or chronic• Health effects can be acute or chronic
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Hazardous Materials Behavior
• Behavior of hazardous material — A material’s physical state, flammability, boiling point, chemical reactivity, and other properties – Affect how it behaves– Determine harm– Influence effects of hazardous material
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Potential Ignition Sources at Haz Mat Scenes
• Open flames• Static electricity• Existing pilot lights• Electrical sources
• Internal combustion engines• Heated surfaces• Cutting and welding operations
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Potential Ignition Sources at Haz Mat Scenes
• Radiant heat• Heat caused by friction or chemical reactions• Cigarettes• Cameras• Road flares
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Potential Ignition Sources in Explosive Atmospheres
• Opening or closing a switch or electrical circuit• Turning on a flashlight• Operating a radio• Activating a cell phone
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Thermal Hazards — Cold Temperatures
• Cryogenic and liquefied gases– Freeze burns and cold injuries
• Anhydrous ammonia – Cold injuries– Vapors are toxic and may catch fire
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Asphyxiation Hazards
• Asphyxiants affect the oxygenation of the body and lead to suffocation– Simple asphyxiants — Gases that displace the
oxygen necessary for breathing– Chemical asphyxiants — Substances that prohibit
the body from using oxygen
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Emergency Response GuidebookEmergency Response Guidebook
• The ERG is a responder’s tool for success.• Every emergency vehicle should have an ERG.• Purpose:
– An aid for identification of the material involved.
– Outlines basic initial actions.– Recommends protective action areas.– Serves as an initial incident safety plan.– National and international emergency
contact phone numbers.
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Know this book alwaysThis guidebook was developed for use by firefighters, police, and emergency services personnel. It provides information on numbered guide sheets for initial actions at a hazardous materials incident. Proper guide numbers are selected by using: • The four-digit ID number on the placard, orange label or on shipping papers. • The proper shipping name of a material. • A placard or part of a placard. • The DOT Guidebook is divided into three main parts:
Yellow pages.............................List materials in numerical order.Blue pages...............................List materials in alphabetic order.Orange Top pages.........................Emergency guides.Green Top pages ........Evacuation/Isolation Distances for the first 30 minutes if not fire.
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Shipping Papers
• Rail– Way Bill– Consist
• Highway– Bill of Lading– Freight Bill– Manifest
• Air– Air Bill
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Maintain regional emergency response equipment and facilities lists
Develop SOP’s for facility and emergency personnelIdentify facilities
and transportation routes
Develop timely detection and notification procedures
Maintainevacuation plans
Provide training
Test and exercise hazmat plans
Designate community and facility coordinators
LEPC
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Six Basic Indications to RecognitionSix Basic Indications to Recognition
1 - Occupancy and location
2 - Container shape and size
3 - Placards and labels
4 - Shipping papers/facility
documents
5 - Markings and colors
6 - Human senses
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Indication #1 - Occupancy and LocationIndication #1 - Occupancy and Location
• Specific occupancy or general area
• Fixed facilities• Five modes of hazardous
materials transportation– Rail, air, marine, highway and
pipeline
• Drug lab considerations
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Indication #1 – Illegal OperationsIllegal Operations (Drug Labs)• Chemical hazards vary• Booby traps• Labs can be found anywhere
Some Indications to the presence of a drug lab:• Unusual traffic• Chemical odors• Fortified• Occupants smoke outside
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Indication #2 - Container Shape and SizeIndication #2 - Container Shape and Size
• Classifications– Portable, fixed or transportation– Refer to the Rail and Road Identification Chart in the ERG
• Pressure– Non-pressurized, low or high pressure
• Vapor Pressure and Storage– The higher the pressure, the greater the potential for catastrophic
failure– BLEVE
P bar Y Safety Consultants
DOT Placard Color Codes
Explosive Oxidizer Flammable
Health Hazard Water Reacative Nonflammable Gas
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Indication #3 - Placards and LabelsIndication #3 - Placards and Labels
• Placards and their limitations– Not always required– 1000 pound rule
• Placards and labels used for transport are based upon DOT Hazard Class– Refer to the ERG Table of Placards
• Nine Hazard Classes– Subdivided into divisions– Refer to the ERG Hazard
Classification System
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Hazard Class 1 - ExplosivesHazard Class 1 - Explosives
Six Subdivisions1.1 - Mass explosion hazard
1.2 - Projectile hazard
1.3 - Fire, minor blast or projectile
1.4 - Minor explosion
1.5 - Very insensitive explosives
1.6 - Extremely insensitive
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Hazard Class 2 - GasesHazard Class 2 - Gases
• Pressurized or liquefied• Product and container present
hazards• Three Subdivisions
2.1 - Flammable gases
2.2 - Non-Flammable, Non-Poisonous
2.3 - Poisonous Gases
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Hazard Class 3 - Flammable/Combustible Liquids
Hazard Class 3 - Flammable/Combustible Liquids
• Flammable Liquids can be ignited at room temperature
• Combustible Liquids require some degree of pre-heating to ignite
• Number 1 rule - eliminate ignition sources
P bar Y Safety Consultants
All compressed gases and containersTHINK
• PRINCIPLE HAZARDS: – Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE) – Explosion – Asphyxiation – Corrosiveness – Frost bite – Reactivity – Oxidizers – Large expansion
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Hazard Class 4 - Flammable SolidsHazard Class 4 - Flammable Solids
Three Subdivisions4.1 - Flammable Solids
4.2 - Spontaneously Combustible
4.3 - Dangerous When Wet
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Hazard Class 5 – Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides
Hazard Class 5 – Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides
• Oxidizers release oxygen to enhance or intensify the burn
• With strong fuels, oxidizers can create conditions which can lead to violent combustion
• Many Organic Peroxides are very unstable
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Hazard Class 6 - Toxic and Infectious Substances
Hazard Class 6 - Toxic and Infectious Substances
• Poisonous to human– Can include severely irritating
substances– “Tear Gas”, Hydrocyanic acid,
Carbon Tetrachloride
• Infectious Substances– Potential to cause diseases in humans– Anthrax, human blood and many
body fluids
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Hazard Class 7 - Radioactive MaterialsHazard Class 7 - Radioactive Materials
• Ionizing radiation hazard• Exposure does not always
result in contamination• Safety Rules:
Time, Distance and Shielding
• Shipped in specialized containers
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Hazard Class 8 - CorrosivesHazard Class 8 - Corrosives
Materials which cause destruction to human skin tissue or a liquid that has a severe
corrosion rate on steel.
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Hazard Class 9 - Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials
Hazard Class 9 - Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials
• ORM A - Dry Ice• ORM B - Quick Lime, Metallic
mercury• ORM C - Asphalt, Battery parts• ORM D - Consumer commodities• ORM E - Hazardous substances
and hazardous wastes
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Pesticide LabelsPesticide Labels
• Product name• Active ingredients• Signal word
– Caution– Warning– Danger (Poison)
• Precautionary statements
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Facility DocumentsFacility Documents
• Safety Data Sheet (SDS)– Required for hazardous substances which are
stored, manufactured, or used in the work place– Provides a variety of information such as product
identification, physical/chemical properties, fire data, health data, reactivity data, etc.
• Other facility documents– Emergency Response Plans (ERP)– Emergency Action Plans (EAP)
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Indication #5 - Markings and ColorsIndication #5 - Markings and Colors
• Container colors are not always standardized
• DOT identification numbers
P bar Y Safety Consultants
NFPA 704
• Health — Blue– 4 — Severe hazard– 3 — Serious hazard– 2 — Moderate hazard– 1 — Slight hazard– 0 — Minimal hazard
P bar Y Safety Consultants
NFPA 704
• Flammability — Red– 4 — Flammable gases, volatile liquids, pyrophoric
materials– 3 — Ignites at ambient temperatures– 2 — Ignites when moderately heated– 1 — Must be preheated to burn– 0 — Will not burn
P bar Y Safety Consultants
NFPA 704
• Instability — Yellow– 4 — Capable of detonation or explosive
decomposition at ambient conditions– 3 — Capable of detonation or explosive
decomposition with strong initiating source– 2 — Violent chemical change possible at elevated
temperature and pressure– 1 — Normally stable, but becomes unstable if
heated– 0 — Normally stable
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Indication #6 - Human SensesIndication #6 - Human Senses
TASTE
TOUCH
SMELL
SIGHT
SOUND
RISK LEVEL
High
Low
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Steps for Proper Use of the ERGSteps for Proper Use of the ERG
• Recognize & Identify Hazardous Materials– Name– Four digit ID number– Placard description
• Look up the guide page number• Take basic protective actions according to the
guide page• Initiate isolation and evacuation according to
protective action distances
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Basic Protective Actions
Precautions to protect yourself and others in a hazardous materials incident:
– Approach an incident from upwind and uphill– Upwind always takes priority– If you cannot approach from upwind stay further
away– Use binoculars to identify labeling– Look for all hazards– Relay hazards and safety information to others
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Control Zones
Incident
Decontamination
Entry Corridor
HOT WARM COLD
SafeRefuge
WIND
Command area,Support functions
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Hot Zone
• An area surrounding an incident that has been contaminated or has the potential to become contaminated by a released material
• Generally the same as the isolation distance and could include the protective action zone
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Warm Zone
• An area abutting the hot zone and extending to the cold zone
• Considered safe for workers to enter without special protective clothing (until decontamination starts) unless they are assigned a task requiring increased protection
• Used as a buffer between the hot and cold zones and the place to decontaminate personnel and equipment exiting the hot zone
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Cold Zone
• Encompasses the warm zone and is used to carry out all other support functions of the incident or haz mat operations
• Workers in the cold zone are not required to wear personal protective clothing
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Properties ofHazardous Materials
• LEL/LFL (Lower explosive limit/Lower flammable limit) — The lowest concentration that will produce a flash of fire when an ignition source is present
• UEL/UFL (Upper explosive limit/Upper flammable limit) — The highest concentration that will produce a flash of fire when an ignition source is present
P bar Y Safety Consultants
AIR MONITORING
• What is a normal Atmosphere?– Oxygen: 20.8%– Carbon Monoxide: 0 PPM– LEL: 0%– H2S: 0 PPM
• When is the Atmosphere not normal?
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Decontamination
• Emergency Decontamination Procedure– Wet– Strip– Flush– Cover
WET
STRIP
FLUSH
COVER
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Decontamination for Contaminated First Responders
• Contaminated clothing and equipment must be bagged and tagged
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Protective Action OptionsProtective Action Options
• Shelter in-place– Short duration incidents– Greater hazard to attempt
to move– Impractical to evacuate
• Evacuation– Potential for massive fire or
explosion– Long duration incidents
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Incident Command System (ICS)
• Initiate ICS, it assists to identify those authorized to enter the scene
• The senior response official implements ICS
• Review the ICS specified in the ERP and SOGs
• Requires appointment of a safety officer
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Routes and Extent of Exposure
• Inhalation• Ingestion• Injection• Absorption (dermal contact)
Children and elderly are of special concern.
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Preventing Contamination
Prevent Direct Contamination• Avoid direct contact with the product, its gases,
vapors or smoke from any fire
Prevent Secondary Contamination• Do not allow anyone or anything to leave the area
without being evaluated for decontamination needs
• This evaluation needs to be performed by qualified individuals and properly protected personnel
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Recognition
• The First Responder must be able to recognize a hazardous materials incident.
RESPONDERS SHOULD NOT RUSH IN! IF YOU ARE HURT OR KILLED
YOU CAN NOT HELP ANYONE.
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Be Aware of any of the Following:• Vapor clouds• Smoke• Injured Persons• Environmental Damage• Evidence of explosive devices• Booby traps• Surrounding populations• Dispersion pathways• Suspicious persons around the scene
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Potential Ignition Sources
• Traffic and Emergency Vehicles• Open Flames• Flares• Lightening, or Static Discharges• Electrical Sources, Downed Power Lines• Flashlights and Two-Way Radios• Exothermic Chemical Reactions (Heat Producing)
Incident Command System
INCIDENTCOMMANDER
OPERATIONS PLANNING LOGISTICS
PUBLICINFORMATION
OFFICER
SAFETY OFFICER
LIAISONOFFICER
FINANCE &ADMINISTRATION
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Potential OutcomesTRACEM
• Thermal (Fire and/or Explosion)• Radiological• Chemical exposure• Asphyxiation (Oxygen Deficiency)• Etiological (Biological Hazards)• Mechanical
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Thermal (Fire and/or Explosion)
• Heat from a fire or the heat released by a chemical reaction
• Extreme cold, such as liquefied gas or cryogenic liquids
P bar Y Safety Consultants
RadiologicalRadiological
Alpha - Most damaging, but least penetratingHazard – InternalShielding – Paper, dead layer of skin, travels 1 to 2 cm in air
+ +
Beta - Small particle; low penetrationHazard - Primarily external, but also internalShielding - Plastic, safety glasses, travels several feet in air
- -
P bar Y Safety Consultants
• Neutron - Highly penetrating• Hazard - External - most external dose due to
gamma• Shielding – plastic, water N
Gamma / X - Highly penetratingHazard - External - most external dose due to gammaShielding - Lead, steel, concrete, thick layers of water
Radiological (cont.)Radiological (cont.)
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Characteristics of RadiationCharacteristics of Radiation
Example of the penetrating power of the various types of ionizing radiation
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Asphyxiation
• Oxygen Deficiency• Chemical Reaction
THE RELEASE OF CERTAIN PRODUCTS (I.E. NITROGEN) CAN DEPLETE THE OXYGEN LEVEL BELOW SURVIVAL LIMITS.
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Chemical
• Toxic or poisonous effects• Destructive effects from the exposure of the
chemical on human tissue
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Exposure to Hazards
• Acute• Chronic
• Both types of exposures can have acute (immediate) and/or chronic (long term) effects.
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Terrorist Events
• Intentional release• Secondary devices• Inflict mass casualties
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Emergency DeconIf a rescue is attempted and is successful • the victim and the rescuer should be flushed
with copious amounts of water• Strip their outer level of clothing • await hazardous materials operations level
responders to arrive
THE RESCUER NOW BECOMES A VICTIM BECAUSE OF UNKNOWN HAZARD EXPOSURE!!!
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Rail
• Active or Abandoned• List of telephone numbers for immediate
contact
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Highway
Responders are more likely to have a hazardous incident related to highway transportation
than with any other mode..
P bar Y Safety Consultants
RESPONDERS SHOULD ALWAYS BE OBSERVANT OF SECONDARY DEVICES IF DRUGS OR TERROISM IS
CONSIDERED IN ANYWAY
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Confinement• Controlling the product that has already been released
from its container• Function — Minimizes the amount of contact the product
makes with people, property, and the environment• Tactics
– Absorption– Adsorption– Blanketing/covering– Dam, dike, diversion, and retention– Vapor suppression
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Absorption
• A physical and/or chemical event occurring during contact between materials that have an attraction for each other
• One material is retained in the other• Procedure — The absorbent is spread directly
onto the hazardous material or in a location where the material is expected to flowNote: After use, absorbents must be treated and disposed of as hazardous materials because they retain the properties of the materials they absorb
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Adsorption and Blanketing/Covering
• Adsorption — The molecules of the hazardous material physically adhere to the material
• Blanketing/covering — Covering the surface of the spill to prevent dispersion of materials
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Damming, Diking,Diversion, and Retention
• A way to control the flow of liquid hazardous materials away from the point of discharge
• Can be made by using earthen materials or materials carried on response vehicles
• Procedure — Construct curbs that direct or divert the flow away from gutters, drains, storm sewers, flood-control channels, and outfallsNote: Any construction materials that contact the spilled material must be properly disposed of.
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Vapor Suppression
• The action taken to reduce the emission of vapors at a haz mat spill
• Spills of flammable and combustible liquids may require fire-fighting foams.
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Using Foams• Application methods
– All fire-fighting foams (except fluoroprotein types) should not be plunged directly into the spill, but applied onto the ground at the edge of the spill and rolled gently onto the material.
– Rainfall method — Spraying foam into the air over the target area in a fog pattern
• Considerations– Water destroys and washes away foam blankets; do not use
water streams in conjunction with the application of foam.– A material must be below its boiling point; foam cannot seal
vapors of boiling liquids.
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Other Spill-Control Tactics
• Ventilation — Controlling the movement of air by natural or mechanical means
• Vapor dispersion– The action taken to direct or influence the course
of airborne hazardous materials– Procedure: Using pressurized streams of water
from handlines or unmanned master streams; streams create turbulence, which increases the rate of mixing with air and reduces the concentration of the hazardous material
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Other Spill-Control Tactics• Dispersion — The breaking up or dispersing of a
hazardous material that has spilled on a solid or liquid surface
• Dilution– The application of water to a water-soluble material to
reduce the hazard– Is not typically used for spill control, but during
decontamination operations– May be used when very small amounts of corrosive
materials are involved
P bar Y Safety Consultants
Other Spill-Control Tactics
• Dissolution — The process of dissolving a gas in water
• Neutralization — The process of raising or lowering the pH of corrosive materials to render them netural