Hazardous Materials Protective Actions

Chapter 5: Overview Introduction Incident management systems Hazardous materials management processes Common incidents Decontamination Methods of decontamination Summary

Basic Concept Do not allow others to become part of the incident (includes responders). Protect those already involved (rescue). Protect those who may become effected by the incident if it progresses (exposures).

Incident Management OSHA requires some form of incident management. Three current systems – Incident Command System (ICS) – Incident Management System (IMS) – Firescope All three have similarities – Management system for emergencies

Incident Management Focused on span of control – 4-6 people work for 1 supervisor Provides unity of command Provides chain of command Goal oriented – Strategic goals – Tactical objectives – Tactical methods

Command Positions Incident commander – Safety officer – Public information – Liaison officer Finance Logistics Operations Planning

Incident Commander Runs the entire operation Responsible for overall strategy Delegates responsibility Command staff assists Unified command assists with decision making

Finance Responsible for bill paying Tracks expenses Records overtime Handles all financial aspects of the incident

Logistics Responsible for obtaining and coordinating equipment Tracks available resources Coordinates holding and storage of resources

Operations Directs the people who have “hands on” with the actual event Implements the tactical objectives Assigns the tactical methods used to mitigate the incident

Planning Plans for future needs Must anticipate future logistical needs For long-term incidents – Food – Shelter – Toilets – Rehab facilities

Branch Positions Under a management system, the span of control dictates the addition of other specified tasks. Under operations, the HAZMAT team will fill a number of positions known as branches.

Branch Positions Entry – at least 2 people Backup – at least 2 people Decontamination – decon leader and crew members Information and research Reconnaissance Resources (HAZMAT logistics)

HAZMAT Branch Leader Leads the HAZMAT team – Runs tactical portion of the incident – Reports to operations leader Assisted by HAZMAT safety officer – Assists overall safety officer – Looks for HAZMAT-specific concerns

Management Processes Used to organize HAZMAT-specific issues Provide framework to set up an incident – 8 step process ® – GEDAPER © – DECIDE process

8 Step Process ® Site management and control Identify the problem Hazard and risk identification Select PPE Information management and resource coordination Implement response objectives Decontamination Terminate the incident

GEDAPER © G ather information E stimate potential course and harm D etermine strategic goals A ssess tactical options and resources P lan and implement actions decided upon E valuate R eview

DECIDE D etect the presence of hazardous materials E stimate the likely harm C hoose a response objective I dentify the action D o the best that you can E valuate your progress

Isolation When arriving at a suspected chemical release, isolate the area from other persons who may inadvertently wander into a hazardous environment.

Rescue Emergency response work and rescue is inherently risky. Our best hope is to use methods to identify that risk and safely manage it.

Rescue Use a simple risk/benefit analysis when rescuing victims. A lot of risk is taken when a lot is at stake. No risk is taken when the benefit is little. Always wear protective clothing which includes the use of SCBA.

Top Ten Chemicals Released Sulfuric acid Hydrochloric acid Chlorine Ammonia Sodium hydroxide Gasoline Natural gas Propane Oil Methanol

Risk-Based Response Focuses on basic risk categories – Fire – Corrosive – Toxic – Radioactive Based on benefit Used to rescue live victims or protect endangered persons

Site Management For success, establish isolation areas. Prevent movement of responders or victims into hazard areas. – Hazard areas are known as zones, sectors, or other area designation.

Hazard Area Designations Hot zone = exclusion zone = contaminated area= isolation area Warm zone = contamination reduction = set up area Cold zone = support zone = incident command area

Zones

Isolation Areas First responders need to establish the area. To be wrong initially by being too large is better than to be wrong by being too small. – Use technical resources to assist with exact size. – Use air monitors to establish hazard areas. – Adjust when resources are adequate.

Isolation Considerations Topography Incoming resources Weather conditions Size of release Type of material Public exposure potential Other exposures – water sources

Evacuation and Sheltering Downwind and downhill at-risk areas Two response actions – Evacuation – Shelter in place Determined by type of release and risk Always use evacuation with large fires and explosive risk.

Evacuation Time consuming Mass notification difficult Not always mandatory (state specific) Difficult to evacuate large numbers of people – Road crowding – Panic – Shelter issues

Shelter in Place Usually preferred option Difficult to inform everyone Shut off HVAC system, windows, and doors Notify and keep sheltered victims informed Best for short-term releases

Reasons to Not Shelter in Place Large, fast moving fire situation Explosion potential Long-term release where chemical exposure could rise in the building – Evacuation would result in lesser exposure

Types of Vapor Clouds

Types of Container Breaches

Common Incidents — Explosives The general rule with explosives is if the fire is near or is affecting the explosives, then emergency responders should isolate the area and back away. Life safety is the top priority.

Explosives Standoff Distances

Explosives All explosives should be handled by a bomb technician. Bombs brought into the fire station should only be handled by a bomb technician. Potentially explosive chemicals should only be handled by a bomb technician. There is a theme running through here………

Gases Natural gas – Very flammable – Rises quickly – Easily ignited by static Propane – Very flammable – Sinks and stays low – Easily ignited by static

Gas Cylinders BLEVE hazards Usually contain liquids which are liquid by pressurization Many cars, trucks, and other vehicles are powered by natural gas or propane.

Alternate Fuel Source

Flammable and Combustible Liquids Gasoline – Leading chemical causing fatalities – Many are complacent with gasoline Diesel fuel

Flammable and Combustible Liquids

Flammable Solids Burn readily Burn quickly and with high heat – Highway warning flares

Water Reactives Can react with water or moisture in the air May react violently – Sodium – Lithium May have minor reaction – Calcium carbide (acetylene) – Heat – Bubbling – Off-gasing (flammable or toxic gases)

Water Reactives

Spontaneously Combustible May be stored to prevent violent reaction White phosphorus stored in water is stable – Exposed to air, violently reacts and ignites

Oxidizers Release oxygen molecules Increases fire risk Most explosive materials are oxidizers

Organic Peroxides Can react to light, heat, shock, and contamination May polymerize Can be explosive or violently reactive

Poisons Pesticides – Technical grade (almost pure) – Household grade (very dilute) Inhalation poisons Environmental hazards

Radioactive Materials The key to safety is keeping the material contained. Limit your time, keep your distance, and wear some form of shielding when dealing with radiation.

Corrosives Most common – Sulfuric acid – Hydrochloric acid – Sodium hydroxide – Ammonia

Other Incidents The absence of a vapor cloud or odor does not mean that a potentially deadly material is not present. – Odorless – Colorless

Decontamination Removal of a chemical or material from a person, equipment, or environment May be performed by first responders Crucial to overall safety Chemical specific

Types of Decontamination Gross decontamination Formal decontamination Fine decontamination Emergency decontamination – Mass decontamination

Emergency Decontamination Responders should always be prepared for emergency decontamination. Runoff control is important, but do not delay decontamination to establish runoff control. Persons lives are always the priority.

Gross Decontamination Gets the majority of the contamination off – Gets the big chunks Usually the first wet step in the decon process – May involve showers or hose set ups

Formal Decontamination Scrubbing and rinsing Introduction of a decon solution – Soap and water are good Steps usually repeated Involves removal of PPE Done by decon team members

Fine Decontamination Hospital-based After formal decontamination For the more intricate parts of the body Hospital personnel need HAZMAT training and equipment.

Mass Decontamination Most decon setups are for the HAZMAT team. Mass decon is for large numbers of people. – More than 10 is usually mass numbers. It is usually water-based. Clothing removal provides more than 80% removal of the contaminant.

Methods of Decontamination

Full Decontamination Process Tool drop Gross decontamination Formal decontamination PPE removal SCBA removal Clothing removal Body wash (emergency only) Dry off Medical evaluation

Full Decontamination Process

Methods of Decontamination Absorption Adsorption Covering Dilution Disinfection Disposal Emulsification Neutralization Overpacking Removal Solidification Vacuuming Vapor dispersion

Methods of Decontamination

Summary Incident management systems Hazardous materials management processes Common incidents Decontamination Methods of decontamination