HazMat Flashcards
Support agencies attending HazMat incident
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.
Definition of dangerous goods
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.
Definition of hazardous substances
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).
Locations hazardous materials will be found
Transport vehicles carrying materials
Chemical plants
Transport depots
Manufacturing facilities
Hospitals
Universities
Laboratories
Main characteristics of a hazardous material
Toxicity
Flammability
Reactive
Corrosive
Ways toxic substances can enter the body
Inhalation
Ingestion
Injection
Absorption
What do the coloured pages in the DG-IERG/HB76 represent
Green - UN number order
Orange - Technical name alphabetical order
Yellow - Guide pages
Where is the DG-IERG/HB76 found on the appliance
Dangerous goods - initial emergency response guide is found in the hazmat satchel behind the SO seat in urban pumpers.
Sections provided in the SDS
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
What is the response sequence
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
Define the hot zone
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.
Define the warm zone
The warm zone is the area immediately surrounding the hot zone where decontamination commences. May still pose exposure rick to unprotected personnel.
Define the cold zone
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.
What are the 9 classes of hazards
What is a HAZCHEM code
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.
General precaution when attending hazmat incident
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.
Containment strategies and pros
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.
Containment techniques and confinement tactics
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
Levels of decontamination
Level 1 - Emergency decontamination
Level 2 - Emergency service decontamination
Level 3 - Mass contamination
Level 4 - Bulk contamination
Principles of emergency decontamination
Wet
Strip
Wash
Cover
Considerations when siting decontamination zone
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.
Technical decontamination corridor
