Emergency and Disaster Response to Chemical Releases
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Emergency and Disaster Response to Chemical Releases Technician Level Training 29 CFR 1910.120 (q) Module 7 Site Control Emergency and Disaster Response to Chemical Releases This page left blank intentionally. ©HMTRI Site Control January 06 Page 72 Emergency and Disaster Response to Chemical Releases Table of Contents Acronyms Used in This Module................................................................5 Overview..................................................................................................7 Terminal Learning Objective.....................................................................7 Enabling Objectives..................................................................................7 PreIncident Planning...............................................................................9 Initial Responder Responsibilities.............................................................9 Initial OnScene Incident Commander.................................................10 Gathering Information .........................................................................10 The North American ERG.......................................................................11 The Initial Isolation Zone .....................................................................12 The Protective Action Zone.................................................................12 Factors That Change the Protective Action Distances (PAD)..............12 Site Control Zones .................................................................................13 The Exclusion Zone ............................................................................13 Establishing the Exclusion Zone ......................................................14 Contamination Reduction Zone...........................................................14 Support Zone ......................................................................................15 Using Monitoring Equipment to Establish Boundaries ............................16 Standard Operating Procedures.............................................................17 Physical Properties of the Material and Site Control...............................18 Other Considerations .............................................................................19 InPlace Sheltering..............................................................................19 Evacuation..........................................................................................19 Releases Inside Buildings ...................................................................20 Safe Havens and Alternative Routes of Egress...................................20 Alternative Means of Communications ................................................21 Medical Support..................................................................................21 Summary................................................................................................22 Review Questions ..................................................................................23 ©HMTRI Site Control January 06 Page 73 Emergency and Disaster Response to Chemical Releases This page left blank intentionally. ©HMTRI Site Control January 06 Page 74 Emergency and Disaster Response to Chemical Releases Acronyms Used in This Module ACGIH American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists CAA Clean Air Act CBRNE Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Energetic/Explosive CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensations Liability Act CFR Code of Federal Regulations CWA Clean Water Act DNR Department of Natural Resources DOT Department of Transportation EOP Emergency Operations Plan EPA Environmental Protection Agency HAZWOPER Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response ICS Incident Command System IDLH Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health NCP National Contingency Plan NIOSH National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health NRC National Response Center OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration PAZ Protective Action Zone PAD Protective Action Distance PCB Polychlorinated Biphenyl PPE Personal Protective Equipment RCRA Resource Conservation Recovery Act RQ Reportable Quantity SARA Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act SCBA Self Contained Breathing Apparatus SOP Standard Operating Procedures TSCA Toxic Substance Control Act TICs Toxic Industrial Chemicals TIMs Toxic Industrial Materials WMD Weapons of Mass Destruction ©HMTRI Site Control January 06 Page 75 Emergency and Disaster Response to Chemical Releases This page left blank intentionally. ©HMTRI Site Control January 06 Page 76 Emergency and Disaster Response to Chemical Releases Overview Site control is a key element in controlling the risk from hazards presented at a chemical spill or release. Before beginning containment, confinement, or control actions, a site management program must be initiated. This site management program most commonly divides the area into three zones: the Exclusion Zone, the Contamination Reduction Zone, and the Support Zone. After the zones have been established, clearly defined and marked, trained responders utilizing the proper PPE will be allowed to enter into the Exclusion Zone and work to contain and control a spill. Terminal Learning Objective Upon completion of this module, participants will demonstrate the ability to establish site control procedures for a disaster site or emergency response to a release of hazardous materials. Enabling Objectives Based on the information presented in the classroom and in the participant guide, participants will be able to: • Explain why site control zones are established at every incident. • Explain the function of the Exclusion Zone, the Contamination Reduction Zone, and the Support Zone. • Describe methods for establishing the boundaries of the Exclusion Zone. • Discuss the importance of establishing an alternative route of egress out of the Exclusion Zone in case of an emergency situation. • Identify methods that ensure contaminants are not spread. ©HMTRI Site Control January 06 Page 77 Emergency and Disaster Response to Chemical Releases This page left blank intentionally. ©HMTRI Site Control January 06 Page 78 Emergency and Disaster Response to Chemical Releases Introduction Initially, site control is established to control a geographic area with the goal of preventing unauthorized entry into the contaminated area. Effective site control prevents untrained and unprotected individuals from harm and minimizes the spread of contaminants. If the firstarriving responder fails to use all available information to exercise adequate protective actions, then lives, property, and incident control may be lost. Site control is accomplished by establishing physical barriers or posting guards around the area to alert others and prevent unauthorized entry. As the incident progresses, ongoing site control prevents unauthorized access to all areas in which responders are performing containment and control operations. Effective site control prevents bystanders and sightseers from interfering with ongoing hazardous materials operations. Before moving to establish site control, responders must obtain as much information as possible regarding the nature of the call. If responders respond without being fully informed, they may become victims themselves. It is imperative that responders collect as much information as possible before trying to establish the Exclusion Zone hot line. PreIncident Planning The collection of information regarding a potential hazardous materials release should begin during preincident planning. Preincident planning is the collection of information regarding potential releases and their likely impact on people (on and off site), the environment, and the facility. The availability of preincident planning information, in addition to that which is received when an emergency is actually reported, can make a significant difference in the outcome of the incident. Initial Responder Responsibilities The initial responder’s responsibilities also include the following procedures: • Take command. • Secure the area and prevent anyone from entering. ©HMTRI Site Control January 06 Page 79 Emergency and Disaster Response to Chemical Releases • Survey the incident from a safe distance to confirm the identity of the materials involved. • Determine the appropriate actions to be taken as recommended by the emergency response plan or the emergency response guidebook. • Notify supervisors. • Notify offduty responders. • Notify mutual aid agencies. • Activate prescribed departmental procedures (i.e., remote shut down procedures). While establishing the Exclusion Zone, no action should be taken that would place the responders or others in a position of danger or in contact with the material. Initial OnScene Incident Commander The initial onscene Incident Commander (IC) should obtain the MSDS for the chemical as soon as possible. The MSDS must list the name, address, and telephone number of the chemical manufacturer or importer. If necessary, the IC can contact the chemical manufacturer for additional response information. To identify the boundaries of the Exclusion Zone, the responder must analyze the incident to determine the extent of the problem. Once the problem is identified, he or she must predict possible outcomes. The firstarriving responder accomplishes these tasks by performing the following functions: • Survey the condition of containers. • Identify the nature and extent of the release. • Gather