Ch. 7: Hazard Assessment and Risk Evaluation Flashcards
What is recognized as a critical benchmark in safe and successful emergency response operations?
The concept of hazard assessment and risk evaluation.
What is the most critical decision-making point in the successful management of a hazardous materials incident?
The evaluation of hazard information and the assessment of risks.
What refer to a danger or peril?
hazards
What refer to the probability of suffering harm or loss?
risks
What are the three distinct, but inter-related tasks of the hazard and risk evaluation process?
1) Hazard Assessment
2) Risk Evaluation
3) Development of the IAP
What must responders understand to mount a safe and effective hazmat response?
1) how the enemy will behave
2) how it can harm
3) how these properties are influenced by the environment where the incident is occuring
What provide information on the behavior of a material?
physical properties
What is known as the pressure exerted by the vapor within the container against the sides of the container?
vapor pressure
The weight of a solid or liquid material as compared with the weight of an equal volume of water.
specific gravity
The weight of a pure vapor or gas compared with the weight of an equal volume of dry air at the same temperature and pressure.
vapor density
The temperature at which a liquid changes its phase to a vapor or gas.
boiling point
The temperature at which a solid changes its phase to a liquid.
melting point
The ability of a substance to change from the solid to the vapor phase without passing through the liquid phase.
sublimation
The temperature above which a gas cannot be liquefied no matter how much pressure is applied.
critical temperature
The pressure that must be applied to liquefy a gas at its critical temperature.
critical pressure
The rapid release of a liquefied gas that causes it to rapidly cool, slow down the boiling process, and remain in a liquid state.
auto-refrigeration
The ease with which a liquid or solid can pass into the vapor state.
volatility
The rate at which a material will vaporize or change from liquid to vapor.
evaporation rate
The amount of gas produced by the evaporation of one volume of liquid at a given temperature.
expansion ratio
The ability of a solid, liquid, gas or vapor to dissolve in water or other specified medium.
solubility
The ability of materials to dissolve into a uniform mixture.
miscibility
Measurement of the thickness of a liquid and its ability to flow.
viscosity
What are the intrinsic characteristics or properties of a substance described by its tendency to undergo chemical change?
chemical properties
What typically provides responders with an understanding of how a material may harm?
chemical properties
Concentration of material to which the body is exposed over a specific time period.
dose
Minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off sufficient vapors that will ignite and flash over, but will not continue to burn without the addition of more heat.
flash point
Minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off sufficient vapors that will ignite and sustain combustion.
fire point
The minimum temperature required to ignite gas or vapor without a spark or flame being present.
ignition temperature
The range of gas or vapor concentration that will burn or explode if an ignition source is present.
flammable range
The byproducts of the combustion process that are harmful to humans.
toxic products of combustion
What are the two primary tasks within the hazard and risk evaluation process?
1) gather hazard data and information on the materials involved
2) to compile that data in a useful manner so that risk evaluation process can be accomplished in a timely and efficient manner
What should a good guidebook have?
well-written “How to Use” section
What is the most recognized emergency information center?
CHEMTREC
Which two ways can hazardous materials concentrations be identified?
1) on-site use of direct reading instruments
2) laboratory analysis of samples obtained through several collection methods
What provides information at the time of sampling, thereby allowing for rapid, on-scene risk evaluation and decision making?
direct-reading instruments
What is the period of time between when the instrument senses a product and when a monitor reading is produced?
instrument response time (lag time)
The lowest concentration to which a monitoring instrument will respond.
lower detection limit (LDL)
The process of adjusting a monitoring instrument so that its readings correspond to actual, known concentrations of a given material.
calibration
What operations poses the greatest threat to emergency responders?
initial air monitoring and reconnaissance
How should a hazard area be approached whenever possible?
upwind then move to the flanks of the release
What is used to assess the level of risk, determine material hazards and characteristics, and make emergency response and clean-up decisions?
sampling
What is a process that involves the collection of material that will be used in a legal proceeding?
evidence collection
When dealing with flammable liquids, how should bung caps be removed?
unscrewed very slowly, ~.25 inches per movement
What is the most critical task performed by emergency responders?
risk evaluation
What is the overall objective of emergency responders at any emergency?
To favorably change or influence the outcome.
What is defined as the process of breaking down complex actions into smaller, more easily understood parts?
event analysis
What is defined as an applied force or system of forces that tend to either strain or deform a container or trigger a change in the condition of the contents?
stress
What are the three types of stress?
thermal, mechanical, and chemical
What type of stress is generally associated with hot or cold temperatures and their effects upon the container or its contents?
thermal stress
What is the result of a transfer of energy when one object physically contacts or collides with another?
mechanical stress
What is the result of a chemical reaction between two or more materials?
chemical stress
What will happen when a container is stressed beyond its limits of recovery?
breach
What will directly determine one’s ability to control the situation?
rate of release
What are specific and measurable processes implemented to achieve the strategic goals?
tactical objectives
What is the relative ability of a metal to bend or stretch without cracking?
ductility
