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Emergency Preparedness and Response to a Hazardous Material Release Alert

Emergency Preparedness and Response to a Hazardous Material Release Alert. Vale Canada Ltd., Ontario Operations Sudbury, Ontario Last updated: April 2015. Introduction.

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Emergency Preparedness and Response to a Hazardous Material Release Alert

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  1. Emergency Preparedness and Response to a Hazardous Material Release Alert Vale Canada Ltd., Ontario Operations Sudbury, Ontario Last updated: April 2015

  2. Introduction • The purpose of the following presentation is to provide you with important information on how to respond to a “Vale hazardous material release alert”. • It has been developed with help from the Greater Sudbury Emergency Management Advisory Panel. • Updating of this review will occur on an “as required” basis.

  3. Hazardous Material Release Alert • A “hazardous material release alert” will be issued by Vale in Sudbury when an emergency has the potential of adversely affecting one or more of the following: • Another complex at Vale • The public • The environment. • Although these events are very rare with all the operating safeguards in place, a very small risk does exist and it is important to know how to respond if an alert is issued.

  4. Accountabilities For Alert Response • Vale: • Sound alarms and ensure safety of personnel on site • Notify the Greater Sudbury Fire Services • Address the cause of the release (with assistance if required) • Greater Sudbury Fire Services: • Alert the public, media and other required emergency authorities • Respond to the affected area assisting the company if needed to address the cause

  5. Accountabilities • Media: • Broadcast message immediately in order to alert the public • Do not call the company or emergency services • Public at large (in affected areas): • Enact the A.C.T. plan until the “all clear” is announced Note: Public safety in response to an emergency is the accountability of the City of Greater Sudbury.

  6. Requirements To Register Chemicals • Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) some of the chemicals used at the Vale facilities in Sudbury are in large enough quantities to have to be registered under CEPA Section 200. • The next slide identifies the chemicals that must be registered and that are in use in the Sudbury Operations as well as the locations where these chemicals are used.

  7. Chemicals Registered Under CEPA 200 Vermilion Water Plant: West of Highway 144, Lively Acid plant: At the Copper Cliff Smelter Complex Copper Cliff Nickel Refinery: South side of Highway 55 east of Fielding Road

  8. Copper Cliff Area Facilities VERMILION PUMP HOUSE West of Highway 144 (Lively-Chelmsford) COPPER CLIFF SMELTER (Acid plant) One air horn located here COPPER CLIFF NICKEL REFINERY One air horn located here

  9. Health Risks Of These Chemicals • Like many other chemicals, all these products can cause serious injury when the exposure is large. • They are all likely to be a hazard in gaseous form. • The health risks for these products can be found through on-line searches on the Internet.

  10. Considerations In An Emergency • In the unlikely event of a hazardous material release alert, and, given that the source of the emergency may not be readily identifiable, Vale personnel responsible for emergency activation operate under two immediate considerations: • Who is at risk? • How can they be informed? • Consequently the most immediate response must focus on the safety of employees and the public.

  11. How Will I Know There Is An Emergency? • Hearing the Vale intermittent air horns located at the Copper Cliff Smelter and the Copper Cliff Nickel Refinery (note that these horns are tested every Monday at 1:30pm). • Hearing emergency message broadcast on local radio stations. • Viewing emergency message on local television stations.

  12. How Will I Know There Is An Emergency? Note: You will not receive a direct communication from Vale in the event of a Hazardous Material Release Alert – logistically this will not be possible. The air horns will stay “on” until the emergency is over and an “all clear” has been declared. The company will issue a press release only once the danger is under control and the circumstances surrounding the release are known.

  13. Media Message Template FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE • URGENT: VALE DECLARES A HAZARDOUS MATERIAL RELEASE EMERGENCY • A.C.T. PROGRAM ACTIVATED FOR AFFECTED AREAS • Sudbury, month day, 20XX – The City of Greater Sudbury Fire Services would like to notify the public that Vale has declared a Hazardous Material Release Emergency. • Affected areas include: ____________________ (locations) • Those who find themselves in the affected area(s) should immediately ACT accordingly: • Always go indoors • Close all doors and windows • Turn off any furnaces, air conditioners or other air intakes. • The public is being asked to stay tuned to local television and radio stations for further updates as they are made available. • Please do not call 911 unless it’s a life threatening emergency. Please do not call Vale. Vale will provide further details through the media as they are made available. In the event of a Hazardous Material Release Alert the following message will be broadcast in English and French in the media:

  14. What Does Vale Want You to Do? • Follow the ACT instructions • Stay out of indicated affected area(s) • Do not call Vale or public emergency numbers unless assistance is immediately required. • Wait for the “All Clear” message prior to resuming normal business. Vale will provide updates to the public through the radio and television.

  15. How to ACT in an emergency. If you hear the Vale emergency signal (a repeating 15-second air horn blast followed by 5 seconds of silence): Always go indoors Close all doors and windows Turn off furnace, air conditioners or other air intakes • Do no use the telephone except for immediate emergency assistance • Stay tuned to radio or TV for information updates • Remain inside until an “All Clear” message is broadcast and the air horn has stopped Vale is committed to the safety of our employees and our neighbours.

  16. Summary • This review has been designed to give you a brief overview of the emergency response process in the event of a Hazardous Material Release Alert from Vale. • If you require additional information please email your questions to ontario.questions@vale.com.

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