HAZMAT Flashcards
How long is a hazardous exposure bracelet to be worn for?
Minimum of 48 hours
Why do we use hazardous exposure bracelets?
To identify persons who have or may have come into contact with a certain substance, to record the substance and make available information to them and their medical advisors incase of a medical decline
Who’s responsibility is it to use the hazardous exposure bracelets?
The incident controller will direct the hazardous exposure bracelet requirement and the decontamination officer or a nominated officer will fill out and tag the bracelet.
What is the hazardous exposure tagging process?
The nominated officer will:
-Tag the identified persons with a plastic-type bracelet
- Inform the person who may be contaminated to consult their doctor if they have concerns
- Obtain and record the incident number or details on the bracelet
- inform all agencies and persons that tagging is required and where to be tagged.
- Complete each section of the tag
-Complete Hazardous Exposure Report for each person being tagged
- Place with the ‘wearer may be suffering’ part outwards
-Tagged persons are to follow all advice from QAS
- Advice given about decontamination and actions for contaminated clothing
- The Hazardous Exposure Form to be made available to tagged persons, sent to Firecom and to senior officer.
What dos the 1800 number on the hazardous exposure tag provide?
The Substance Involved
Type of contamination (inhalation, contact, penetration, ingestion)
Medical treatment received at scene
Symptoms observed
Duration of exposure
What and Who determines the level of Chemical Protection Clothing required at a HAZMAT Job?
The IC determines the PPC/CPC level by under taking a Dynamic Risk Assesment (Situation, substance, tasks)
Referring to the ERG (HB76)
Hazardous Action Guide (HAG)
Chemdata (Firecom)
QFRS Scienteific
What level of CPC should the BAST wear?
Equal or higher than the teams in the Hot Zone
What are the types of Chemical Protective Clothing In QFES?
Type A Fully ENcapsulated with BA & radio. Highest level of respiratory, skin and eye protection from gaseous, liquid and solid chemicals.
Type B Chemical Splash Suit with helmet, BA & Radio. Same respiratory protection at Type A but less skin protection. Suitable for liquid splash but not vapour or gases.
Type C Support Garment. Full Face Piece & Cannister, chemical gloves, boots. Lowest Protection.
What is the purpose of Level 3 Chemical Protection?
The appropriate selection of CPC is a key risk control measure to prevent or minimize exposure to hazardous materials.
What’re the objectives of decontamination of staff and volunteers at a hazmat incident?
*all persons are identified, cleaned and checked
* the contaminant is removed at the decontamination corridor
* decontamination water, solutions or dry agents are contained where resources are available and
* when the incident is completed, there is no residual contamination due to the functions of operating a decontamination corridor.
Where is on site decontamination carried out at a hazardous materials incident?
The IC will ensure a suitable site is selected to establish a decontamination corridor as a part of the general layout for a HAZMAT incident. This area will confine or contain any run off, so a grassy flat area or bunded area should be considered.
Where is the decontamination corridor set up and where does it begin and terminate?
established in the warm zone, the entry is at the edge of the hot zone and the exit is at the edge of the cold zone.
WHo manages the decontamination at a HAZMAT job?
The decontamination officer who is identified with the Decontamination Officer Tabard. Where resources are limited, the BA sector commander will perform the role.
Whatre the responsibilities of the decontamination officer?
establish the decontamination corridor considering terrain run-off, the hazardous material involved, decontamination extent and type required, wind direction, water supplies and number of people to be decontaminated
* use only potable water
* supervise all activities conducted in the decontamination corridor (e.g. monitoring the effectiveness)
Tag all persons
What are the four stages of decontamination?
Primary Contamination monitoring
Personal Decontamination (washing)
Clearance contamination monitoring
Recovery and rehabilitation
Who should be consulted for specialist decontamination advice?
QFES Scientific Research branch
How would the decontamination be described in its approach?
Systematic and chemical detectors should be used to monitor the effectiveness of the process
What should happen if a person exits decontamination and contaminants are detected on them?
They are to be recycled through the decontamination stage
Who is to be contacted for advice if there is a radioactive l/biological incident?
Queensland Health may provide expert technical advice regarding decontamination operations and may undertake screening prior to decontamination.
What may QFES assist with in decontamination at radioactive/biological incidents?
QFES may assist Queensland Health in the initial screening of persons exiting the contaminated area (e.g. issuing of saliva swab sample kits and distribution of iodine tablets, as directed by the Queensland Health pharmacist).
Why do we wear it and what PPE/PPC/CPC is to be considered when performing decontamination activities?
PPC limits as low as reasonably practicable, the level of risk associated with decon activities
- respiratory protection
- Air Purifying Respirator
- Powered Air Purifying Respirator
- Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
- eye protection if donning APR P2
- skin protection:
- Personal Protective Clothing (PPC) - disposable overalls
- Personal Protective Clothing (PPC) - Level 2 OR 3C
- Gloves and
- Boots.
What are the 3 types of decontamination and what are their primary objectives?
Mass Decontamination
the process of removing contamination from members of the community
Technical Decontamination
A systematic and controlled process of removing contamination from
QFES and/or other emergency services staff wearing protective clothing andrespiratory protection
Emergency Decontamination
is the process of immediately removing contamination on all persons in potentially life-threatening situations without the formal establishment of a decontamination corridor. The capability for emergency decontamination must be established prior to deploying any staff and volunteers into the hot zone.
What actions need to be taken prior to mass decontamination?
- develop a decontamination plan (an element of the Incident Action Plan and considers the type of contaminant and number of persons affected)
- establish a decontamination corridor including provision for emergency decontamination and designating the Decontamination Officer and members of the Decontamination Team and
- identify the extent and type of decontamination required based on the contaminant and degree of contamination.
What is involved in Stage 1 Mass Decontamination -
Primary Contamination Monitoring
- where resources permit, undertake contamination check of exposed persons
- if persons are deemed contaminated, they are to be given a Contamination Tag to be worn around the neck
* when persons are clean, the RED (Contaminated) tear off section is to be removed and retained by the Decontamination Officer for accountability purposes
* persons deemed clean are to proceed to Stage 4 – Recovery and Rehabilitation and
* all other persons are to be directed through the decontamination corridor.
What is involved in Stage 2 Mass Decontamination -
Personal Wash Down
* pass through boot wash area
* obtain a personal decontamination kit
* ensure the Contamination Tag is worn around the neck
* place personal valuables in the small clear plastic clip lock bag
* within a private area, undress first layer of clothing
* place clothing and valuables into the large plastic bag
* tear off ID corner of Contamination Tag (YELLOW section with eyelet) and secure to the large plastic bag using a zip tie
* place the belongings bag as directed, in the designated area
* take the sealed disposable clothing bag and proceed through the decontamination corridor (e.g. low-pressure hose reels/ portable showers, depending on resources available) and
* within secure and private area, dry off and redress, using towelling, clothing and booties from provided kit.
What is involved in Stage 3 Mass Decontamination -
- Clearance Contamination Monitoring
- where resources permit, undertake contamination check of washed persons
- for all persons deemed clean the RED (contaminated) tear off section of the Contamination Tag is to be removed and retained by the Decontamination Officer for accountability purposes, before the person may proceed to Stage 4 – Recovery and Rehabilitation
- if decontamination was not successful, the person is to return to the personal washing stage, obtain a new personal decontamination kit and complete the wash down stage again
- all persons are to ensure the initial issued Contamination Tag remains around their neck during the process and
- once the persons have been deemed clean, the RED (Contaminated) tear off section is to be removed and retained by the Decontamination Officer for accountability purposes before proceeding to the Stage 4 – Recovery and Rehabilitation.
What is involved in Stage 4 Mass Decontamination -
Recovery and Rehabilitation
* medical assessment by Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) is undertaken in cold zone
* ensure all persons who pass through the station are tagged and details recorded in IF 00.37.00 – Hazardous Exposure Report and IF 00.38.00 – Radiation Dose Monitoring for radioactive incidents.
