Hazardous Materials Emergency Response PDF

Unit 3 Types of Emergencies Lesson 7 Hazardous Materials Lesson Goal You will be able to respond to a hazardous materials emergency. Think About This An inmate is on work detail and decides to clean with bleach. Since there is a small amount of bleach left, they combine it with another bottle....

Unit 3 Types of Emergencies Lesson 7 Hazardous Materials Lesson Goal You will be able to respond to a hazardous materials emergency. Think About This An inmate is on work detail and decides to clean with bleach. Since there is a small amount of bleach left, they combine it with another bottle. Some inmates start coughing, while others have trouble breathing. At this point, the inmate realizes that they accidentally mixed bleach and ammo- nia. How should you respond in this situation? Hazardous materials are used throughout a correctional facility or work detail. They include cleaning agents, floor wax, bleach, laundry detergent, fuels, pesticides, and fertilizer. A hazardous materials incident also could occur during a fire. A hazardous material (hazmat) emergency occurs when a substance capable of causing harm to people, the environment, and property is released or is not properly controlled. While inmates are on work details, they could accidentally combine common chemicals, such as bleach and ammonia, creating a hazardous environment. Inmates could use containers to transport hazardous materials or biohazardous materials, such as urine. Urine or other body fluids, including contaminated blood, could be considered hazard- ous materials. Be thorough in your searches when inmates return from work assignments. A group of inmates could deliberately work together and separately take items that are hazardous when combined. People can be contaminated with hazardous materials through inhalation, ingestion, absorption, and injection. Hazardous materials can pose immediate and long-term health hazards, such as asphyxiation, chemical burns, tissue destruction, cancer, or death. They can also cause harm to the environment, such as water, air, and land pollution, as well as death or serious injury to wild- life and domestic animals. ✅ CO837.1. Know how to recognize hazardous materials Hazardous materials may have certain smells, but not all hazardous materials have an odor. There may be no warning of a hazmat emergency. Never check a container by smelling or tasting it. You can rotate a closed container to test its weight and consistency; a shampoo bottle filled with bleach will feel and sound different than if filled with shampoo. 274 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1 Because of their nature, hazmat emergencies: are more likely to cause a need for outside assistance require multiple agency response may be long-lasting may involve unseen hazards During a hazmat incident, the Department of Transportation (DOT) Emergency Response Guide- book (ERG) is a resource used to guide a first responder’s initial actions to a hazmat incident includ- ing the identification of hazardous materials, areas of personal protection, and initial safety plan. ✅ CO837.2. Know the classes and dangers of hazardous materials described in the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) The following is a list of the classes of hazardous materials and the dangers associated with each class, according to the ERG, a copy of which will be available to all staff: Class 1—explosives: exposure to heat, shock, or contamination could result in thermal and mechanical hazards Class 2—gases: container may rupture violently under pressure (or as a result of a fire); may become flammable, poisonous, a corrosive, an asphyxiate, and an oxidizer; may cause frostbite Class 3—flammable and combustible liquids: container may rupture violently from heat/ fire; may be corrosive, toxic, and thermally unstable Class 4—flammable solids: some are spontaneously flammable; may be water reactive, toxic, and corrosive; may be extremely difficult to extinguish Class 5—oxidizing substances: supports its own combustion through using oxygen; sensi- tive to heat, shock, friction, and contamination Class 6—poisons and infectious substances: toxic by inhalation, ingestion, and skin and eye absorption; may be flammable Class 7—radioactive substances: may cause burns and biologic effects; can cause contami- nation of surroundings Class 8—corrosives: causes disintegration of contacted tissues; may be fuming, water reactive, and destructive to metals Class 9—other regulated materials (ORM): miscellaneous Chapter 8 Responding to Incidents and Emergencies / 275 ✅ CO837.3. Know the indicators of hazardous materials Hazardous materials are indicated by placards (diamond-shaped signs), markings, shipping papers, SDSs (safety data sheets), or storage containers. Refer to the ERG for exact information. Use extreme caution when using your senses at a hazmat incident, including: vision—you may use your vision to see indicators of the presence of hazardous materials such as smoke, fire, vapor, or gas clouds; when light or visibility is poor, these signs are harder to see. Green smoke is a particularly dangerous sign. Make sure to also watch out for hazardous material placards. hearing—use your hearing when interacting with witnesses or identifying unusual sounds, such as hissing from a gas leak or a tanker spill, or a bubbling sound from mixing chemicals. taste, touch, or smell—use of these senses risks exposure to the substance; they should not be used intentionally in an incident. Equipment ✅ CO837.4. Know the equipment needed when responding to a hazardous materials incident Each agency will determine the availability of equipment to use during a hazmat incident. Some of the equipment may include PPE to observe universal precautions, such as a face mask, protective gloves and gowns; a hazmat suit; SCBA; a bloodborne pathogens cleanup kit; and barriers. Refer to the ERG for a detailed description of, and instructions for, the appropriate use of equipment related to hazmat incidents or emergencies. Make sure you have current versions of all reference guides. Equipment, informational guides, and hazardous materials references may be managed by a supervisor. Standard Procedures Due to the dangers associated with hazmat incidents, be aware of your surroundings and take note of activity, practice officer safety, and follow special precautions at all times. ✅ CO837.5. Know how to follow standard procedures for responding to a hazardous materials emergency Each agency’s policies, procedures, and emergency plan will dictate the roles and responsibilities of each staff member. You may be the first person on the scene, but the resolution of a hazmat incident is usually the responsibility of supervisory staff and specialized response teams. As an officer, you should respond only within the scope and level of your training. When looking for hazards and investigating an incident, stay constantly aware and be prepared to relay information. Even when assisting in cleanup, you must follow officer safety, universal precau- tions, and the SDS. Avoid tunnel vision and be aware of the variety of complications that might arise, since hazmat situations can be dynamic and evolving. For example, do not immediately run over to assist if you suspect a hazmat incident. Consider all hazmat incidents as life-or-death situ- ations. Remain calm and focus on a resolution. 276 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1 To resolving a hazmat situation, make sure to do the following: 1. Locate and verify the nature of the hazardous materials emergency.  Observe from a safe distance.  If the spill is minor, respond according to the SDS guidelines. For example, dilute a bleach spill and ventilate the area. 2. Refer to the posted SDS for the hazardous materials. Make sure a copy of the SDS is read- ily available for any emergency personnel. 3. Communicate with control room staff and supervisors, who may coordinate response activities. Relay the following information:  types of substances or hazards (do not attempt to smell or taste the substance)  areas affected  any medical emergencies or injuries  wind direction (for example, if any vapor or smoke is blowing toward the dining hall) 4. Enter the area only when it is safe to do so.  Use PPE, such as a face mask, protective gloves, and a gown, immediately.  Use disposable equipment as much as possible. 5. Provide first aid for the injured and separate contaminated people. 6. Evacuate areas affected by hazardous materials.  Everyone should be evacuated as soon as it is safe to do so.  Ideal evacuation routes will take people as far away from the incident as possible and be upwind and uphill from the threat.  Follow the posted evacuation diagrams. Evacuation may not be possible in some cases. 7. Isolate the situation so that it does not spread to unaffected areas. Shut down air- conditioning units and close doors and windows.  Stay as far away as practical (a minimum of 500 feet if possible), and keep others away.  Use binoculars or video surveillance if available or approach from upwind.  Do not take an ignition source into the affected area (a vehicle can be an igni- tion source). Chapter 8 Responding to Incidents and Emergencies / 277  8. Create a barrier or perimeter around, and restrict access to, the affected area.  Use signs, warning tape, and physical barriers, such as a mound of dirt, or officers stationed outside a secured area.  Structures such as internal gates, roll gates, doors, and cross fences can greatly aid in accomplishing these efforts. 9. Observe special precautions when dealing with decontamination efforts.  Make sure that contaminated victims and equipment are decontaminated before your contact with them.  If you become contaminated, make sure that you and your clothing are fully decon- taminated as soon as possible. 10. Restrict or control access to the affected area, until the area is declared safe by emer- gency personnel.  Supervisors will issue a direct order for no one except emergency personnel to enter the area.  Keep a record of the events and complete follow-up documents as directed by the agency. You can get help during a hazmat/waste spill by contacting the Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (CHEMTREC) at 1-800-424-9300. CHEMTREC has the capability to contact the shipper, manu- facturer, or other sources for more detailed assistance and follow-up support. For example, if a spill occurs in the area where the SDS is located, and you are not able to access the information on or identify the substance, you can contact CHEMTREC for immediate help. 278 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1