Hazmat Flashcards
Definition: ________ is a substance or material capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property when transported in commerce.
“hazardous materials” or HAZMAT
The term includes ______ hazardous substances, hazardous wastes, marine pollutants, elevated temperature materials, and materials designated as hazardous in the Hazardous Materials Table.
“hazardous materials” or HAZMAT
Describe the differences between acute and chronic exposures.
- Acute- short term/high dose event with harmful consequences
- Chronic- long term/low dose exposure with harmful consequences
What are the common routes of exposure for CBRNE materials?
Inhalation
- Describe aerosols (dry and/or wet particles/droplets that behave like a gas)
Absorption
- Skin: vulnerable to many chemicals but not to many biological threats unless there is an open wound—see Injection
- Eyes
- Mucous Membranes: nostrils, lips, etc.
Ingestion
- Primary: Eating/drinking contaminated product
- Secondary: Transferring contaminated product to mouth, usually through an inanimate object. Example: ballpoint pen
Injection
- Puncture
- Cut/abrasion
- Insect/Pest: usually biological
Safeguarding Lives: What is the RAIN Principle Acronym stand for?
- R- Recognize the presence of a CBRNE threat
- A- Avoid contamination/exposure to the threat
- I- Isolate the threat and immediate area
- N- Notify the appropriate response agency
Potential health effects of a CBRNE incident
Health Impacts
- Death
- Temporary impairment
- Permanent disability
- Psychological stress
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders
Potential Property and Environment Impacts of a CBRNE incident
Property and Environment Impacts:
- Damage to potable water sources
- Loss of productive lands
- Loss/destruction of food products
- Inability to occupy or inhabit structures
Potential Infrastructure Impacts of a CBRNE incident.
Infrastructure Impacts:
- Disruption of traffic and other modes of transportation
- Budget and resource strains on government and commercial entities
- Reduction in available services
- Overwhelmed health care system
What are the basic procedures for the N in RAIN.
Notify the appropriate response agency
Notify the appropriate agency
- Stay outside of designated perimeter
- Remain upwind
- Wait for qualified assistance
What are the basic procedures for the A in RAIN.
Avoid contamination/exposure to the threat
Avoid exposure
- Stay uphill, upwind from the incident
- Use distance and physical barriers to protect yourself from exposure
- Remain alert for changes in wind direction or the behavior of the material
What are the basic procedures for the I in RAIN.
Isolate the threat and immediate area
Isolate
- Set a perimeter around the exposed area
- Be sure to communicate the location of the perimeter
- Establish safe travel routes for the public
- Enforce perimeter security
What are the Practical Guidelines for Law Enforcement First Responders?
- Limitations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) availability and safe use (LE Responders should not use any PPE above gloves and particulate/droplet mask except to escape from a hazardous situation or at the direction of Incident Command)
- Safe donning and doffing of Nitrile gloves and particulate/droplet mask Instructor Note: demonstrate.
- Practical decontamination (hand wipes, soap and water, antibacterial gels, antiviral wipes, etc.)
- Time, distance/direction, and shielding/barriers (Shorter times in a HAZMAT zone are ALWAYS better. Distance and upwind location from a HAZMAT zone are ALWAYS better. Shielding and barriers can be helpful.)
What are the basic procedures for the R in RAIN.
Recognize the presence of CBRNE threat
Recognize the presence of CBRNE threat
- Observations (Odors, noises, wind direction, placards, signs, etc.)
- Assessment (Hazard level, casualties, need for additional resources, etc.)
- Plan (Response, exit strategy, precautions, etc.)
- Communicate (Dispatch, casualties, good Samaritans, etc.)
- Respond (Establish perimeter, first aid, enable ICS, etc.)
What are some sources to obtain on-site information about hazardous materials being transported?
Warnings and Indicators
- Shipping manifests
- Placards
- Labels
Interviews
- Driver, others involved in transportation of materials
- Witnesses
- Victims
Communications
- Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS)
- Shipper at point-of-origin
Common Explosives include:
- Black Powder
- PETN
- TNT/Dynamite
- C4
- ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil)
Types of Hazardous Materials include:
- Toxic Industrial Materials/Toxic Industrial Chemicals (chlorine, acetone, benzene, mercury, etc.)
- Agricultural Chemicals (pesiticides, insecticides, amonia, etc.)
- Chemical Warfare Agents (nerve agents, vesicants)
- Other Chemical Agents (riot control, irritants, etc.)
- Some controlled substances (fentanyl, cocaine, anesthetics, etc.)