Handling of Hazardous Materials PDF

HANDLING OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS At no time is the D.O.T./ERG guidebook to be used to determine what the protective gear or clothing will be at an incident. Special Reference Books are carried by the Hazardous Materials Team to make these determinations. The D.O.T./ERG guidebook is to be used as a qu...

HANDLING OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS At no time is the D.O.T./ERG guidebook to be used to determine what the protective gear or clothing will be at an incident. Special Reference Books are carried by the Hazardous Materials Team to make these determinations. The D.O.T./ERG guidebook is to be used as a quick reference to identify hazardous materials and should be used in conjunction with the N.F.P.A. Guide On Hazardous Materials, 9th edition, carried on the apparatus. The Hazardous Materials Team should be contacted or requested to respond, prior to taking any action. Your actions should be confined to the identification of the product and/or to make the scene safe, prior to their arrival. The D.O.T./ERG guidebook is in three sections: 1. Yellow page - will identify a product if the ID number (UN or NA) is known. 2. Blue page - will identify an ID number if the product is known. 3. Orange page - In both the yellow and blue section, a guide number is given to alert you to the potential hazards and emergency actions to be taken. 4. Green page – Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances. If the chemical in Yellow section or Blue Section is highlighted, then find the chemical again in Green Section. Isolate according to charts. Small spills equal approximately 50 gallons or less. Decontamination of Personnel We have the ability to decontaminate personnel who have received a minimum exposure. With our equipment, we can perform personnel decontamination by using a portable shower and the various solutions provided. This will enable us to decontaminate about 90% of the hazardous materials encountered in this area. The Coast Guard will also assist us with the decontamination of personnel. They are available 24 hours a day, with a one (1) to two (2) hour response time, if requested. Large numbers of individuals can be decontaminated by MFR’s Mass Decon Units, Stationed @ 2, 7 and 12. We are capable of decontaminating equipment on a limited basis. This can be accomplished by scrubbing the equipment with detergent and water. It can then be evaluated and tested by Miami-Dade County Health Department. Disposal of any runoff materials from decontamination efforts will be disposed of through a contractor that the Department of Environmental Resources Management has on call. This same contractor will Edited: 2/11/09 dispose of any hazardous materials if we request it through the Department of Environmental Resources Management. DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS Disposal of hazardous materials is the responsibility of the owner, shipper or manufacturer of the product. The Fire Department shall attempt to contact the owner, shipper or manufacturer of the hazardous materials produced and require them to dispose of the product. If the Fire Department cannot locate the shipper, owner or manufacturer of the product, Fire Central shall contact the Department of Environmental Resource Management (DERM) for product evaluation, and if necessary, the hazardous materials disposal contractor hired by the Fire Department through D.E.R.M. shall be requested to respond. Edited: 2/11/09