Hazmat Response Team Purposes

Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of a Hazardous Materials Response Team? (Select all that apply)

To develop a community plan for responding to hazardous materials incidents

To assist in the disposal of household hazardous waste

To provide the skills, knowledge, and technical equipment needed to offensively handle hazardous materials incidents (correct)

To inspect buildings where hazardous chemicals are used or manufactured

Which Federal law is intended to assure, so far as possible, safe working conditions?

The Toxic Substances Control Act

The Safe Drinking Water Act

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (correct)

The Clean Air Act

The five phases of a hazardous material's life do not include production, transportation, storage, elimination, and disposal.

False

A primary purpose of conducting a hazardous materials exercise is to find out:

Whether planned procedures work Signup and view all the answers

An industry's smokestack is an example of what type of source?

Point Signup and view all the answers

One benefit of a sound community plan to deal with a hazardous materials emergency is:

Roles and responsibilities are defined Signup and view all the answers

Formal mutual aid agreements with surrounding jurisdictions are seldom if ever needed, since everyone is ready to pitch in when an incident occurs.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended minimum number of personnel needed to manage a hazardous materials incident safely?

8 Signup and view all the answers

The primary hazard associated with most flammable liquids is:

Fire or explosion Signup and view all the answers

A person works every day with a toxic substance but does not take protective measures. The individual will experience what type of exposure?

Chronic Signup and view all the answers

If you are caught outdoors in the vicinity of a hazardous materials incident, you should try to move away from the release:

Upstream, uphill, and upwind Signup and view all the answers

Sensory clues to the possible presence of hazardous materials in water include:

All of these Signup and view all the answers

A chemical that, in relatively small amounts, produces injury when it comes in contact with skin tissue is known as:

A corrosive Signup and view all the answers

Standard approaches to waste disposal are generally regulated and managed by the:

EPA Signup and view all the answers

The chemical agent or hazardous material that interferes with the body's ability to transfer oxygen to the cells is:

Nerve agent Signup and view all the answers

The success of good site operations and the ability of employees to respond during emergencies is:

Initial and annual refresher training Signup and view all the answers

The basic approaches to cleaning contaminated soil include:

Containment, off-site containment, on- or off-site treatment, or disposal Signup and view all the answers

It is difficult and sometimes impossible to purify contaminated groundwater.

True Signup and view all the answers

A person whose skin is coated with a toxic substance gives his/her contaminated clothing to another individual. This likely will result in what is called:

Cross-contamination Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly identifies the four 'routes of entry' for toxic substances into the body?

Absorption, injection, ingestion, inhalation Signup and view all the answers

Once approved, an Emergency Operations Plan should never be revised, since this would create potential confusion in responding agencies.

False Signup and view all the answers

The EPCRA grants citizens the right to obtain information on hazardous materials in their community.

True Signup and view all the answers

Under what circumstances are judges likely to take immediate action to halt pollution before a violation of the law has been proven in court?

In extreme cases when the potential damage is clear and irreparable Signup and view all the answers

The code OXY in the bottom white quadrant of a label conforming to NFPA 704 indicates that:

The material can easily release oxygen to create or worsen a fire or explosion hazard Signup and view all the answers

The Federal agency primarily responsible for protecting our environment from contamination by hazardous materials releases is:

The Environmental Protection Agency Signup and view all the answers

Besides the LEPC, what local agencies may maintain specific information on industries in your community that use, store, or generate EHS-listed hazardous materials?

The local emergency services department Signup and view all the answers

The tendency of chemicals to become more concentrated as they move up the food chain is known as:

Biomagnification Signup and view all the answers

By reading the placard on a tanker bearing hazardous materials, you can find out:

The hazard class of the substance being carried Signup and view all the answers

In the NFPA 704 labeling system, a rating of 4 in any quadrant corresponds to:

The highest degree of hazard Signup and view all the answers

The presence of hazardous materials can always be detected by the sense of smell.

False Signup and view all the answers

The local role in reducing public risks from hazardous materials includes:

All of these Signup and view all the answers

If you encounter a suspicious substance, you should:

Notify the appropriate authority Signup and view all the answers

Which Federal agency provides training, resource information and technical assistance to States to help them prepare for hazardous materials emergencies?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency Signup and view all the answers

You have just learned that a chemical you work with is a mutagen. What effect does this chemical have?

Causes a permanent change in the genetic material (DNA) Signup and view all the answers

Decontamination is needed in order to:

Remove contaminants from people and equipment Signup and view all the answers

Existing landfills are generally considered sufficient to serve as the sole means of disposing of the Nation's waste for the foreseeable future.

False Signup and view all the answers

Under existing laws, States do not have broad authority to control how hazardous materials are stored, used, transported, and disposed of within their borders.

True Signup and view all the answers

The analysis of a situation to determine the level of risk inherent in that situation is called:

Risk assessment Signup and view all the answers

The key components of a complete local plan include a basic plan, supporting annexes, and implementing procedures. The supporting annexes typically include:

Conceptual framework for emergency operations Signup and view all the answers

When treating a household incident involving exposure to a poison, your most reliable source of advice and expertise is:

The Poison Control Center Signup and view all the answers

A toxic accident occurs in your neighborhood. Several adults, teenagers, and small children are present. Which group, if any, would likely be most severely affected?

The small children would be most severely affected Signup and view all the answers

The body has very efficient internal defenses which can remove any quantity of an unwanted substance.

False Signup and view all the answers

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) includes information on:

Health effects and physical properties of a specific chemical Signup and view all the answers

Permissible exposure limits are levels of exposures mandated by:

OSHA Signup and view all the answers

In-place sheltering is never an appropriate option in an accident involving hazardous materials.

False Signup and view all the answers

Health effects resulting from contact with a hazardous substance over a long period of time is called:

Chronic exposure Signup and view all the answers

Under EPCRA, Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) are charged with the responsibility to:

Develop an emergency plan to respond to hazardous materials incidents Signup and view all the answers

Results of Commodity Flow Surveys can be obtained from:

SEMA Signup and view all the answers

The Federal law designed to regulate hazardous waste 'from cradle to grave' is:

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 Signup and view all the answers

The Federal agency responsible for regulating interstate shipments of hazardous materials is:

Department of Transportation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hazardous Materials Response Team

Main purpose is to provide skills, knowledge, and equipment for handling hazardous materials incidents.

Federal Safety Laws

The Occupational Safety and Health Act ensures safe working conditions.

Life Cycle of Hazmat

The five phases of a hazardous material’s life include production, transportation, storage, elimination, and disposal.

Hazardous Materials Exercises

Conducted to evaluate whether planned procedures work effectively during emergencies.

Source Types

A smokestack from an industry is classified as a point source of pollution.

Community Planning Benefits

Sound community plans define roles and responsibilities to manage hazardous materials emergencies.

Mutual Aid Agreements

Formal agreements with other jurisdictions are essential for coordinated responses to hazardous incidents.

Personnel Requirements

A minimum of eight personnel is recommended for managing hazardous materials incidents safely.

Flammable Liquids Hazards

The primary hazard associated with flammable liquids is fire or explosion.

Exposure Types

Chronic exposure occurs when an individual works regularly with toxic substances without protective measures.

Response to Incidents

If caught outdoors during a hazmat incident, move upstream, uphill, and upwind from the release.

Sensory Clues in Water

Indicators of hazardous materials presence in water include dead fish, unusual algae growth, and white froth.

Definitions of Chemicals

A corrosive chemical can cause injury upon contact with skin tissue.

Waste Management Regulation

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) generally manages waste disposal regulations.

Hazardous Substances

A nerve agent interferes with the body's oxygen transport, posing severe health risks.

Training Importance

Initial and annual refresher training ensure site operations are effective during emergencies.

Soil Cleaning Methods

Approaches include containment, off-site containment, on- or off-site treatment, or disposal.

Groundwater Purification

It is often difficult and sometimes impossible to purify contaminated groundwater.

Cross-Contamination Risks

Passing contaminated clothing to another can lead to cross-contamination.

Routes of Entry for Toxins

Absorption, injection, ingestion, and inhalation are the four primary routes for toxic substances entering the body.

Emergency Operations Plan

An Emergency Operations Plan should be regularly revised to remain effective and relevant.

Public Rights

The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) allows citizens to obtain information on hazardous materials in their communities.

Judicial Actions on Pollution

Judges may intervene to halt pollution if potential damage is evident and irreparable.

NFPA 704 Labeling

The OXY label indicates the material can enhance fire or explosion hazards.

Environmental Protection Responsibility

The EPA is the primary federal agency tasked with environmental protection against hazardous materials contamination.

Local Agencies Information

Local emergency services departments also keep information on hazardous materials used in the community.

Biomagnification

The process of chemicals concentrating more as they move up the food chain is known as biomagnification.

Hazard Class Identification

Tanker placards reveal the hazard class of the substance being transported.

NFPA 704 Ratings

A rating of 4 in any NFPA quadrant indicates the highest degree of hazard.

Detecting Hazards

The presence of hazardous materials may not always be detected by smell alone.

Local Risk Reduction Roles

Local roles in mitigating public risk from hazardous materials include emergency planning, transportation regulation, and waste disposal management.

Suspicious Substances Protocol

Upon encountering a suspicious substance, notify the appropriate authority rather than handling it yourself.

Federal Training Assistance

The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides training and resources for states to prepare for hazardous materials incidents.

Mutagens

Chemicals classified as mutagens increase the risk of cancer by causing genetic material changes.

Importance of Decontamination

Decontamination is essential to remove contaminants from individuals and equipment.

Landfill Sufficiency

Existing landfills are not sufficient for the nation’s waste disposal needs for the foreseeable future.

State Authority on Hazardous Materials

States have broad authority to control the management of hazardous materials within their boundaries.

Risk Assessment Definition

Risk assessment involves analyzing situations to determine their inherent risk levels.

Local Plan Components

Comprehensive local plans include a basic plan, supporting annexes detailing emergency operations.

Household Poison Exposure

The product's label is the most reliable source of guidance when dealing with household poison incidents.

Vulnerable Groups in Toxic Accidents

Small children are likely to be the most severely affected group during toxic incidents.

Body’s Defense Mechanisms

The body lacks the efficiency to remove all quantities of unwanted substances effectively.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

MSDS provide vital details on the health effects and physical properties of specific chemicals.

Exposure Limits Regulations

Permissible exposure limits are regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

In-Place Sheltering

In-place sheltering can be an appropriate option during hazardous materials incidents under certain circumstances.

Chronic Exposure Impacts

Long-term contact with hazardous substances results in chronic exposure effects.

Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs)

LEPCs are responsible for developing emergency plans for hazardous materials incidents.

Commodity Flow Survey Information

Information from Commodity Flow Surveys is accessible through the local emergency services department.

Hazardous Waste Regulation Law

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 regulates hazardous waste from inception to disposal.

Interstate Hazardous Materials Shipment Regulation

The Department of Transportation oversees the regulation of interstate shipments of hazardous materials.

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Test your knowledge on the primary purpose of Hazardous Materials Response Teams with these flashcards. Each question helps reinforce key concepts related to hazardous materials incidents and response. Perfect for students training in emergency management and safety protocols.