
Site Control and Accepted Safety Practices Hazmat Industry Technician
Hazwoper Regulation Requirements • Coordinate operations through ICS • One individual in charge
Incident Commander Responsibilities • ID all hazards • Hazardous substances • Site hazards • May have been done in ERP
Incident Commander Responsibilities • Implement “appropriate” operations • Assure the use of proper PPE • May be specified in ERP
Incident Commander Responsibilities • Ensure use of SCBAs
Incident Commander Responsibilities • Limit number of personnel on site • Use buddy system • In exclusion zone
Incident Commander Responsibilities • Ensure standby EMS is available
Incident Commander Responsibilities • Designate a “safety official” • Knowledge of operations & product involved
Incident Commander Responsibilities • Implement appropriate decontamination
Hazwoper and PPE • PPE requirements designed to protect you • OSHA requirements general not specific
Hazwoper and PPE • Must use SCBA when conditions • Create IDLH condition • Impair ability to escape
Hazwoper and PPE • Must use fully encapsulated suits when • Skin absorption hazard present • May cause IDLH condition • Impair ability to escape
Hazwoper and PPE • Purpose: reduce exposure • No one-size-fits-all • No all-hazard suits or gloves • There are no BLEVE suits
NFPA Requirements • OSHA Regulation – Law • NFPA consensus standards – Recommendations • OSHA reg refers to NFPA standards • Recommends following them
NFPA Standards & Hazmat • NFPA 472 – training recommendations • NFPA 1991 – vapor protective suits • NFPA 1992 – Splash-protective suits
NFPA Recommendations • Maintain personnel accountability • Write Incident Action Plan (IAP) • Team should have adequate communications • Implement control zones
Site Safety Plan Requirements • Site Safety Plan (SSP) notrequired • OSHA recommendsusing one • So what should you do?
SSP and ERP • Site Safety Plan is included in ERP • Emergency response may require additional forms and/or incident-specific info
Plan Should Address • Safety, health and hazard analysis • Employee training requirements • PPE
Plan Should Address • Medical surveillance • Monitoring – frequency and type • Site control measures
Plan Should Address • Decon procedures • Confined space entry procedures • Spill containment
SSP and ERP • Plan is designed to protect you • Incident may require additional plan info • Should be part of incident briefing
Facility Standard Safety Practices • Site policies will be in ERP • Instructor will discuss guidelines
SO, ASO-HM and Entry Briefings • OSHA requires a Safety Officer • Must be knowledgeable in operations • Must be able to ID hazards • Has authority to suspend operations
Assistant Safety Officer - HM • Focuses on hazmat issues • Reports to incident safety officer • Coordinates with hazmat group
Duties of ASO-HM • Select PPE • Prepare SSP • Complete medical-related paperwork
ASO and Entry Briefings • ASO-HM will ID and assess hazards • Will make recommendations for hazard control • Info passed to you in Entry Briefings
Typical Hazards (All Emergencies) • Slips, trips and falls • Motor vehicle accidents • Heat-related illness
Typical Hazards – Hazmat • Confined spaces • Hazardous atmospheres • Damaged equipment/structures • Environmental hazards • Fire/Explosion hazards
Entry Briefing • Verbal briefing using SSP as template/checklist • SSP given to responders
Entry Briefing Contents • Entry objectives • Site hazards • Personnel assignments & responsibilities • PPE required • Emergency procedures
Safety Hazards of PPE • Limited visibility • Reduced dexterity • Claustrophobia • Restricted movement
Safety Hazards of PPE • Heat-related illness
PPE and Heat Stress • CPC interferes with body’s cooling mechanisms
CPC a Hazardous Environment • Core body temperature will increase! • Increasing body temp causes heat stress • Heat stress can lead to heat-related illness
Heat-Related Illness • Heat Edema • Heat Rash • Heat Cramps • Heat Exhaustion • Heat Stroke
Preventing Heat Stress • Water • Shade • Training
Avoiding Heat Stress in Hazmat • Reduce physical demands • Increase break times • Number and frequency • Adjust work times • Ensure adequate rehab
SO and Heat Stress • SO monitors & enforces fluid replacement • Thirst is not a reliable indicator of dehydration
Heat Stress & Medical Monitoring • SO ensures it’s done • Will monitor vital signs • Heart rate • Body temperature • Blood Pressure • ERP will specify procedures to follow
Medical Monitoring Guides • ERP will specify action levels for vitals • (i.e. When you have to take the suit off)