HazMat

Question 1

Support agencies attending HazMat incident

Answer 1

ACTAS - Patient care.
AFP - Traffic control, crowd control, evacuation.
SES - Logistical support to control authority.
Environment ACT - Provides direction to the control authority on potential environmental impact.
Workcover - Determines compliance with WHS legislation, investigates breaches.
Canberra Regional Oil Industry Emergency Response Group (CROIERG) - Provides assistance with product identification, recovery and containment.
ActewAGL and Icon Water - Responsible for utilities.
Jemena - Responsible for natural gas.
Military
HazMat Specialists - Provide expect advise.

Question 2

Definition of dangerous goods

Answer 2

Dangerous good are substances that are considered to present a risk to the health and safety of the public if they are not properly controlled during handling, transportation or storage.

Question 3

Definition of hazardous substances

Answer 3

Hazardous substances are materials that have potentially harmful effects of health. Effect can be acute (short term exposure) or chronic (long term repeated exposure to small quantities).

Question 4

Locations hazardous materials will be found

Answer 4

Transport vehicles carrying materials
Chemical plants
Transport depots
Manufacturing facilities
Hospitals
Universities
Laboratories

Question 5

Main characteristics of a hazardous material

Answer 5

Toxicity
Flammability
Reactive
Corrosive

Question 6

Ways toxic substances can enter the body

Answer 6

Inhalation
Ingestion
Injection
Absorption

Question 7

What do the coloured pages in the DG-IERG/HB76 represent

Answer 7

Green - UN number order
Orange - Technical name alphabetical order
Yellow - Guide pages

Question 8

Where is the DG-IERG/HB76 found on the appliance

Answer 8

Dangerous goods - initial emergency response guide is found in the hazmat satchel behind the SO seat in urban pumpers.

Question 9

Sections provided in the SDS

Answer 9

Identification
Hazards identification
Composition/ information on ingredients
First aid measures
Fire-fighting measures
Accidental release measures
Handling and storage
Exposure controls/ personal protection
Physical and chemical properties
Stability and reactivity
Toxicological information
Ecological information
Disposal considerations
Transport information
Regulatory information
Other information

Question 10

What is the response sequence

Answer 10

I - Identify hazard
P - PPE required
I - Isolate (area of contamination/hazard)
C - Contain (contaminate)
D - Decontaminate (persons and equipment)
M - Monitoring of contamination and personnel

Question 11

Define the hot zone

Answer 11

The hot zone is identified as an area of isolation where contaminant levels are considered sufficiently high to threaten life and safety. Only personnel equipped with correct PPE and equipment can enter.

Question 12

Define the warm zone

Answer 12

The warm zone is the area immediately surrounding the hot zone where decontamination commences. May still pose exposure rick to unprotected personnel.

Question 13

Define the cold zone

Answer 13

The cold zone is a support area immediately surrounding the warm zone. Site control, casualty treatment area and marshalling/ assembly areas are generally established in cold zone.

Question 14

What are the 9 classes of hazards

Answer 14

Question 15

What is a HAZCHEM code

Answer 15

HAZCHEM code is a short code that gives information about the initial actions to be taken at a hazmat scene.
Could be 2PE or similar. Can be read on page 316 of Dangerous goods - initial emergency response guide.

Question 16

General precaution when attending hazmat incident

Answer 16

Control the movement of people.
Confirm that the incident involves hazardous materials:
1) Look for the HAZCHEM sign.
2) Identify the materials form a distance (use binoculars)
3) During identification, remember that spelling and product details are crucial.
4) Do not guess - only use the information that is at hand.
Once the hazardous materials have been identified:
1) Select appropriate PPE.
2) Avoid any unnecessary exposure.

Question 17

Containment strategies and pros

Answer 17

Defensive strategy:
Defensive strategy’s involve no direct intervention by the firefighter. The aim is to let the incident stabilise itself. Could lead to less pollution and reduce risk of toxic exposure to firefighters and community.
Offensive strategy:
Offensive strategy’s involve some form of direct intervention. Could include aggressive hose line attack to perform a rescue or protect an exposure, or an aggressive application of neutraliser to contain a dangerous acid spill.

Question 18

Containment techniques and confinement tactics

Answer 18

Containment techniques:
Up-righting and sealing leaking containers.
Allowing the leak to continue then handling appropriately.
Plugging and patching leaking containers.
Closing valves and closing and tightening lids.
Confinement tactics:
Diversion
Dyking
Retention

Question 19

Levels of decontamination

Answer 19

Level 1 - Emergency decontamination
Level 2 - Emergency service decontamination
Level 3 - Mass contamination
Level 4 - Bulk contamination

Question 20

Principles of emergency decontamination

Answer 20

Wet
Strip
Wash
Cover

Question 21

Considerations when siting decontamination zone

Answer 21

Type of contamination to be carried out.
Weather condition, particularly wind.
Location of any drains and water courses (to control run off).
Topography.
Comfort and safety or personnel.
Location of appliances.
Location of water supplies.
Location of appliances to supply hose lines, lighting etc.
Proximity to incident.
Location of entry control point.

Question 22

Technical decontamination corridor

Answer 22