Environment Agency and Crew Safety

Question 1

what are the EA responsible for?

Answer 1

drainage and pollution control relating to sewers.

Pollution control on River Thames and all its tributaries, water courses and open water sites.

Navigation control over non-tidal Thames.

Flood control within greater London including operation of flood barriers

Question 2

give six examples of when the EA should be informed of incidents involving what? (normally done by control)

Answer 2

all hazmats. 
Pesticides or fertilisers. 
Major incidents. 
4 pumps or >2 jets and/or hvp. 
Foam. 
Controlled burn. 
Flooding or property from a water course. 
CBRN or mass decon. 
Radioactive. 
Hazardous fly tipping. 
Hazardous waste or waste fires. Illegal burning of waste or COMAH waste fires. 
EA regulated sites. any risk site as assigned by LFB / EA

Question 3

what thresholds should the EA be notified of for oil and fuel?

Answer 3

25l

Question 4

what thresholds should the EA be notified of for detergents?

Answer 4

25l

Question 5

what thresholds should the EA be notified of for disinfectants?

Answer 5

25l

Question 6

what thresholds should the EA be notified of for paints or dyes?

Answer 6

25l

Question 7

what thresholds should the EA be notified of for cooking oils, glycerine or alcohol?

Answer 7

> 25l

Question 8

what thresholds should the EA be notified of for cutting cube, h2o soluble polymers?

Answer 8

> 25l

Question 9

what thresholds should the EA be notified of for food products?

Answer 9

> 250l

Question 10

what thresholds should the EA be notified of for beverages?

Answer 10

> 250l

Question 11

what thresholds should the EA be notified of for organic liquids?

Answer 11

> 250l

Question 12

what thresholds should the EA be notified of for sand, salt, cement?

Answer 12

> 500 KG

Question 13

what are the 3 groups of pollutant?

Answer 13

Organic - milk, beer, oj, blood.

Inorganic solids - cement, silt, plaster etc

eco toxic - acids, solvents, oils etc

Question 14

what does OIC need to consider when controlling pollution?

Answer 14

Wind speed & direction
Substances heavier than air? 
Soluble, toxic or flammable? 
On site specialist advice. 
Methods to reduce gassing off. Sealing leaks. 
Absorption with inert materials.
 Blanketing with foam. 
Cooling overheating systems. 
Washing vapour cloud with water spray. 
Advice from EA health officer

Question 15

what stages make up the hierarchy of containment?

Answer 15

1. contain at source.
2. contain close to source.
   3 contain on surface.
   4 contain in drainage system.
   5 contain in water course.

Question 16

what 2 pieces of equipment does the brigade have to deal with pollution control?

Answer 16

1. environmental grab bag (P/PL)

2. Large spill kit (OSU)

Question 17

who has overall responsibility for crew safety on appliances?

Answer 17

driver and OIC

Question 18

what should happen shutter alarm sounds?

Answer 18

stop. Handbrake on. Physical check of shutters

Question 19

what exemptions do we have regarding seatbelts?

Answer 19

none. Used to be RTA 1982, but now not applied. Must wear seatbelt at all times.