Hazardous Materials: Scene Safety and Control

31 Objectives (1 of 4) Describe hazardous materials personal protective equipment. Identify the purpose, advantages, and limitations of structural firefighting protective clothing, high temperature-protective clothing, chemical-protective clothing, liquid splash-protective clothing, and vapor-protective clothing.

31 Objectives (2 of 4) Discuss respiratory protection in a hazardous material incident. Describe the levels of hazardous materials personal protective equipment.

31 Objectives (3 of 4) Identify skin-contact hazards encountered at hazardous materials incidents. Describe the safety precautions to be observed, including those for heat and cold stress, when approaching and working at hazardous materials incidents.

31 Objectives (4 of 4) Describe the physical capabilities required and limitations of personnel working in personal protective equipment. Describe techniques used to isolate hazard areas and deny entry. Describe the importance of the buddy system and back-up personnel.

31 Introduction Scene control, site management, and personal accountability are critical. Safe handling of hazardous materials incident determined in the first five minutes

31 Levels of Damage Threshold Limit Value/Short-Term Exposure Limit (TLV-STEL) Threshold Limit Value/Time Weighted Average (TLV-TWA) Threshold Limit Value/Ceiling (TLV-C) Threshold Limit Value/Skin (TLV-S) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH)

31 TLV-STEL Maximum concentration a person can be exposed to in 15-minute intervals, up to four times a day without damage. Minimum one hour rest between exposures Lower the TLV-STEL, the more toxic the substance.

31 TLV-TWA Maximum concentration a person could be exposed to 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week without damage The lower the TLV-TWA, the more toxic the substance.

31 TLV-C Maximum concentration a person could be exposed to, even for an instant. The lower the TLV-C, the more toxic the substance.

31 TLV-S Indicates that direct or airborne contact could result in a possible and significant exposure by absorption through the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes Take appropriate measures to minimize contact with the skin.

31 PEL Maximum, time-weighted concentration to which 95% of healthy adults can be exposed over a 40-hour workweek without damage Also called the REL (Recommended Exposure Level) Comparable to the TLV-TWA

31 IDLH (1 of 3) An atmospheric concentration of any toxic, corrosive, or asphyxiant that poses an immediate threat to life or could cause irreversible or delayed adverse health effects

IDLH (2 of 3) Three types of IDLH atmospheres: 31 IDLH (2 of 3) Three types of IDLH atmospheres: Toxic Flammable Oxygen-deficient IDLH atmospheres require the use of SCBA or equivalent protection.

31 IDLH (3 of 3) Below IDLH levels, most healthy individuals could escape the atmosphere without respiratory protection without irreversible damage to their health.

Determining Atmospheric Safety 31 Determining Atmospheric Safety Atmospheric monitoring requires specific training and equipment. Three types of atmospheres at a hazardous materials incident: Safe Unsafe Dangerous

Selection of Proper PPE 31 Selection of Proper PPE Turnout gear will not protect against many hazardous materials. PPE is selected based on the specific properties of the products involved. The IC should approve the level of PPE to be used on an incident. Fire fighters should not use PPE they have not been trained to use.

Types of PPE Clothing and Work Uniforms 31 Types of PPE Clothing and Work Uniforms Structural Firefighting Protective Clothing High-Temperature Protective Clothing Chemical Protective Clothing and Equipment

Hazardous Materials Protection (1 of 2) 31 Hazardous Materials Protection (1 of 2) Clothing and Work Uniforms Offers no protection from hazardous materials Structural Firefighting Protective Clothing Offers almost no chemical protection

Hazardous Materials Protection (2 of 2) 31 Hazardous Materials Protection (2 of 2) High-Temperature Protective Clothing Offers protection from high temperatures only

Chemical Protective Clothing and Equipment (1 of 2) 31 Chemical Protective Clothing and Equipment (1 of 2) Designed to prevent chemicals from coming in contact with the body Have varying degrees of resistance Chemical-resistant materials Designed to inhibit or resist the passage of chemicals into and through the material

Chemical Protective Clothing and Equipment (2 of 2) 31 Chemical Protective Clothing and Equipment (2 of 2) Important Concepts Penetration Permeation Degradation

31 Penetration Flow or movement of a hazardous chemical through closures, seams, porous materials, pinholes, or other imperfections Liquids and solids can penetrate.

31 Permeation Process by which a hazardous chemical moves through a material at the molecular level Implies the chemical going through the material itself, rather than through an opening in the material

31 Degradation Physical destruction or decomposition of a material due to chemical exposure, general use, or ambient conditions Usually evidenced by signs such as charring, shrinking, swelling, color changes, or dissolving

Garment Construction Single-piece Multi-piece 31 Garment Construction Single-piece Completely encloses wearer Known as an encapsulated suit or acid suit Multi-piece Works with the wearer’s respiratory protection, an attached or detachable hood, gloves, and boots

Material Used In Construction 31 Material Used In Construction Butyl rubber Tyvek® Saranex PVC Vitron

Liquid Splash-Protective Clothing 31 Liquid Splash-Protective Clothing Protects skin and eyes Does not protect against gases or vapors Should not be used for incidents involving liquids that emit vapors May be worn over or under structural firefighting clothing

Vapor-Protective Clothing 31 Vapor-Protective Clothing Must be used when hazardous vapors are present Traps heat and perspiration Must be used in conjunction with respiratory protection

Respiratory Protection Devices 31 Respiratory Protection Devices Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) Supplied air respirator (SAR) Air-purifying respirator (APR)

SCBA Prevents exposure through inhalation or ingestion 31 SCBA Prevents exposure through inhalation or ingestion Should be mandatory for fire service personnel Fire fighters must know the limitations of SCBA

31 SAR User is connected to an external air source by a hoseline that connects to the facepiece. Useful during extended operations Decontamination Clean-up Hoseline may restrict movement.

APRs (1 of 2) Filter particulates and contaminants from the air 31 APRs (1 of 2) Filter particulates and contaminants from the air Should only be used when: Type and amount of contaminants are known Atmosphere is not oxygen-deficient

APRs (2 of 2) Limitations: 31 APRs (2 of 2) Limitations: Filtering cartridges are contaminant-specific. Atmosphere must be continuously monitored.

Level A Protection Fully encapsulating suit 31 Level A Protection Fully encapsulating suit Highest level of protection Effective against vapors, gases, mists, dusts Requires SCBA or SAR

31 Level B Protection Consists of chemical-protective clothing, boots, gloves, and SCBA Used when high respiratory protection but less skin protection required Type of gloves and boots worn depends on the chemical involved

31 Level C Protection Standard work clothing plus chemical-protective clothing Appropriate when: Type of airborne substance is known Concentration is measured Criteria for using an APR is met Skin or eye exposure is unlikely

Level D Protection 31 Lowest level of protection Used when: Atmosphere contains no known hazard. Work functions preclude splashes, immersion, or potential for inhalation. Should be used for nuisance contamination only

Skin Contact Hazards (1 of 4) 31 Skin Contact Hazards (1 of 4) Principal dangers of hazardous materials are toxicity, flammability, and reactivity. Hazardous materials can harm the inadequately protected body. Assume the worst and leave the largest possible safety margin.

Skin Contact Hazards (2 of 4) 31 Skin Contact Hazards (2 of 4) Skin can absorb harmful toxins without any sensation to the skin itself. Do not rely on pain or irritation as a warning of absorption. Some substances are lethal if only a few drops contact the skin.

Skin Contact Hazards (3 of 4) 31 Skin Contact Hazards (3 of 4) Skin absorption is enhanced by cuts, abrasions, heat, and moisture. Absorption rate depends on body part. Chemicals absorbed through the skin on the scalp much faster than through the forearm Eyes have one of the fastest means of exposure.

Skin Contact Hazards (4 of 4) 31 Skin Contact Hazards (4 of 4) Corrosives do not have to be absorbed to do damage. Acids Have affinity for moisture Can burn respiratory tract Alkalis Cause deep burns Turns tissue to soapy liquid

31 Safety Precautions Standard safety precautions for firefighting apply to hazardous materials incidents. In addition, special attention must be paid to temperature and stress.

Excessive Heat Disorders 31 Excessive Heat Disorders Fully encapsulating and chemical-protective suits do not “breathe.” Personnel in such suits are at greater risk for heat-related emergencies. Heat-related emergencies: Heat Exhaustion Heat Stroke

31 Heat Exhaustion (1 of 2) Mild form of shock caused by overheating when the body cannot dissipate heat Signs and symptoms include: Elevated core temperature Weakness Profuse sweating Dizziness

Heat Exhaustion (2 of 2) Emergency Action: 31 Heat Exhaustion (2 of 2) Emergency Action: Remove victim from the source of heat Rehydrate Provide cooling

31 Heat Stroke (1 of 2) Life-threatening condition resulting from the total failure of the body’s temperature-regulation capacity Signs and symptoms include: Reduction or cessation of sweating Body temperature at or above 105ºF Rapid pulse

31 Heat Stroke (2 of 2) This is a true medical emergency requiring immediate transport to a medical facility.

Prevention of Heat-Related Emergencies 31 Prevention of Heat-Related Emergencies Prehydrate with 8 to16 oz. of water before donning PPE. Rehydrate with 16 oz. of water for each SCBA cylinder used.

Cold-Related Emergencies (1 of 3) 31 Cold-Related Emergencies (1 of 3) Two types of cold exposure: Materials-related Liquified gases and cryogenic materials Gases released under pressure Weather-related Wind speed and temperature

Cold-Related Emergencies (2 of 3) 31 Cold-Related Emergencies (2 of 3) Despite temperature, fire fighters will sweat. Wet clothing extracts heat from the body up to 240 times faster than dry clothing. May lead to hypothermia

Cold-Related Emergencies (3 of 3) 31 Cold-Related Emergencies (3 of 3) Prevention Wear appropriate, layered clothing. Warm up in heated shelters or vehicles. Keep layers next to skin dry.

Physical Capability Requirements 31 Physical Capability Requirements Hazardous materials responses are physically and psychologically stressful. A health and safety management program is needed to ensure responders are capable of meeting challenges of the work.

Medical Surveillance Program (1 of 2) 31 Medical Surveillance Program (1 of 2) Part of the health and safety management program. Includes: Fitness for duty determinations Detection of changes in body systems due to physical and/or chemical exposures

Medical Surveillance Program (2 of 2) 31 Medical Surveillance Program (2 of 2) Pre-entry values should be attained within 15 to 20 minutes after leaving environment. Treat and transport anyone who does not return to normal values within 20 minutes.

Response Safety Procedures 31 Response Safety Procedures Actions for Awareness-level responders Isolate and deny entry. Try to identify products. Follow the NAERG. Follow SOPs. Eliminate possible ignition sources.

31 Control Zones (1 of 2) Designated areas at a hazardous materials incident based upon safety and the degree of hazard Types: Hot zone Warm zone Cold zone

31 Control Zones (2 of 2)

Hot Zone Area immediately around the incident site 31 Hot Zone Area immediately around the incident site Contains personnel and equipment needed to control the release Is contaminated Access is limited. Entries and exits are logged.

Warm Zone Staging area for entering and leaving the hot zone 31 Warm Zone Staging area for entering and leaving the hot zone Contains an access corridor and a decontamination corridor Only essential personnel allowed. Personnel must be in appropriate PPE. Generally one level below what is used in the hot zone

Cold Zone Safe area where special protective clothing is not needed 31 Cold Zone Safe area where special protective clothing is not needed Restricted area Cold zone operations include: Personnel staging Command post Medical support area

Isolation Techniques (1 of 2) 31 Isolation Techniques (1 of 2) Approach from uphill. Resist the urge to rush in. Establish a perimeter. Ensure perimeter control devices do not impede rapid evacuation.

Isolation Techniques (2 of 2) 31 Isolation Techniques (2 of 2)

Buddy System and Back-up Personnel 31 Buddy System and Back-up Personnel Back-up personnel must be ready to respond quickly into the hot zone to rescue any personnel if an emergency occurs. Work in teams of two. Do not rely solely on radios for communication in the hot zone.

Summary (1 of 4) PPE is product-specific. 31 Summary (1 of 4) PPE is product-specific. No such thing as generic chemical-protective suit PPE has limitations; fire fighters must know them. Four recognized levels of protective clothing Level A provides the most protection. Level D provides almost no protection.

31 Summary (2 of 4) Use of respiratory protection is essential on most hazardous materials incidents Be aware of and know how to handle both heat- and cold-related emergencies Monitor responder vital signs before, during, and after a hazardous materials incident.

Summary (3 of 4) Resist the urge to rush in. 31 Summary (3 of 4) Resist the urge to rush in. Only fire fighters trained to the technician or specialist levels should enter the hot zone.

Summary (4 of 4) Work in teams of two in the hot zone. 31 Summary (4 of 4) Work in teams of two in the hot zone. Ensure a back-up team is prepared to enter the hot zone to effect a rescue.