Hoffman Estates Fire Department PDF - Emergencies Involving Asbestos

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: SPECIALIZED OPERATION - 004 January 1, 2022 NIMS COM...

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: SPECIALIZED OPERATION - 004 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Title: Emergencies Involving Asbestos Revision: 2 APPROVED BY: NUMBER OF PAGES: Re-evaluation Date: Alan Wax January 1, 2025 Fire Chief 2 PURPOSE POLICY The greatest potential contact for emergency services personnel comes from containment situations. In complete isolation, workers encumbered by protective clothing often carry out their tasks in puddles of water created from wetting the asbestos-containing materials to minimize airborne fiber generation. Extension cords may be found crisscrossing through puddles or hanging from water- soaked scaffolding and ladders. Electric shock, slips, trips, and falls are often sources of injuries. Seasonal considerations include heat stress and cardiac concerns from high heat during the summer (50 to 60 above ambient temperature is typical) and the humid environment often created in containments, while in winter the use of heaters may cause elevated carbon monoxide levels or ignition of combustible structural components. PROCEDURE A positive-pressure SCBA and the appropriate protective clothing offers the highest level of respiratory protection to the rescuer. Disposable Tyvek suits (Level B) suits are the preferred suits to be worn by all fire personnel involved in the rescue and within the asbestos removal area. Use of the level B suits reduces the time needed for personnel decontamination, because the suit fabric is very smooth and it tends to decontaminate well and not hold fibers. While standard turnout gear with hoods and SCBAs in place may provide significant respiratory protection, a high level of personnel decon is required due to the turnout gear holding contaminated material in the course clothing fibers. Suit determination is to be made by Incident Command based on a risk assessment and patient time sensitivity. It is also likely that the turnouts and the SCBA may have to undergo professional decon; at least the protective clothing should be tested by an outside agency to ensure that it is free of asbestos fibers, especially if decontamination was conducted at the site. Thorough decontamination requires rescuers to strip and shower while wearing respiratory protection. Site decontamination provisions are strictly regulated; therefore, removal contractors should adequately address decontamination requirements. Rescuers, patients, and any equipment leaving the contaminated area must be decontaminated. In the event of poor or nonexistent shower 1 facilities, fire hoses may be used as long as runoff is contained for later filtering. Remember to adjust pressure, volume, and temperature to avoid injuries. Gently scrub skin and hair with a mild soap or detergent. Wash and rinse all surfaces completely. You may have to dismantle some life support equipment for complete decontamination unless they're sealed in a plastic bag that leaves only the disposable hose and catheter exposed. The ability to thoroughly decontaminate porous materials is questionable; therefore, use backboards and/or metal scoop stretchers instead of transport equipment made or porous materials. It is wise as well as cost-effective. Should the patient's condition dictate an abbreviated or hasty decontamination, medics should wear protective equipment during treatment and during transportation to a prenotified facility equipped to handle further decontamination. Prep ambulances by closing vents, and by removing any nonessential portable equipment. Provide additional protection by transporting the patient encapsulated in blankets, keeping his face exposed and continuously monitoring his condition. In a situation that generates airborne fibers, firefighters should use SCBA if remaining in the area. Fine water fogs will help to trap the fibers, especially if the water contains a soap that helps penetrate and bind the fibers. If available, use soap concentrate mixed with a foam eductor on the lowest eductor setting. This technique may improve the efficiency of the air scrubbing. SPILLS OF ASBESTOS MATERIALS Contractors place removed asbestos in double-wrapped leak-proof bags. They label the outer bag to show that it contains asbestos. They then transport the asbestos to a secure site for burial. If the fire department finds such bags on a road or in a non-secure area, they should treat them as they would any other hazardous material. The incident commander should ensure proper site security, minimize personnel contact, set up a good soap (if available) and water decontamination, and notify the local or state environmental agency of the incident. (Asbestos has a CERCLA RQ-reportable quantity of one pound.) The agency will usually procure a contractor to do the clean-up and pay the contractor's bill if the owner of the asbestos can't be found. Fire department should not handle asbestos spills at all, but rather, a licensed contractor should remove the asbestos. Keep asbestos spills moist and the area above the spill misted whenever the spill shows signs of drying out to prevent entrainment into the atmosphere. All runoff should be considered contaminated and should therefore be contained and collected so it will not increase the asbestos pollution. Water conservation practices should be standard operating guideline under these conditions. Protect the wet asbestos from the wind. If necessary, cover the wet asbestos with a salvage cover. DEFINITIONS EXCEPTIONS REFERENCES CFR Title 40 302.4 End of Document 2