HAZMAT Operations Exam Flashcards
What is an Operations Level Responder?
DEFENSIVE operations (not offensive!)
- they respond to hazmat by implementing and supporting actions that protect nearby persons, property, and the environment
- would not usually be wearing PPE or special equipment
Operations Level Responders should be able to (goals):
Identify
Plan
Implement
Evaluate
Operations level responders may perform tasks above their training level (or MISSION BASED COMPETENCIES/TASKS) using…
WRITTEN or DIRECT guidance
Physical Properties
- DO NOT involve the chemistry of the material
- Describe how a material behaves in relation to the physical environment
Chemical Properties
- occur at a molecular level
- ex. flammability
Boiling Point
When liquid turns to gas at the surface
Chemical Reactivity
- The susceptibility of material to release energy by itself or in combination with other materials
- Ability to undergo a chemical change.
Corrosivity (pH)
a substances tendency to deteriorate in the presence of another substance
Properties of an Acid
- pH of less than 7*
- litmus dyes turn RED
- dissolves metal
- reacts with bases
- equal or less than 2.0 is STRONG
Properties of a Base, Alkalie, or Caustic
- pH above 7*
- litmus dyes BLUE
- reacts with acids
- equal or greater than 12.5 is STRONG
Flammability Range
the difference between the UEL and LFL, which is the range where materials will burn and/or explode
The UEL, LFL, and Flammability Range values are given in…
concentration percentages
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL)
minimum concentration vapor/air for a flame to propagate
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL)
maximum concentration vapor/air for a flame to propagate
Gasoline LEL and UEL
1.4 and 7.6
Hydrazine LEL and UEL
2.9 and 98
Flash Point
temperature at which a liquid will give off sufficient vapors that will ignite readily but will not continue to burn
Ignition Temperature/Autoignition Temperature
- minimum temperature required for self-sustained combustion in the absence of any source of ignition
- used to determine how flammable a material is
Particle Size
- refers to solids
- expressed in MICRONS
Persistance
ability to stay within the area
Physical States and Definitions
Solid: specific shape and definite volume
Liquid: no definite shape, but a definite volume
Gas: no definite shape or volume
*Different states form different hazards
Ionizing Radiation
consists of particles (alpha or beta) or high energy rays (gamma rays, X-rays)
Significance of Ionizing Radiation
- can cause an immediate physical change
- genetic mutations
- not commonly encountered in transportation situations
Non-Ionizing Radiation
consists of ultraviolet, visible light, sound waves, and magnetic fields
Significance of Non-Ionizing Radiation
- sunburn
- genetic mutations that lead to cancer
- beyond our control
Specific Gravity
- ratio of the weight of a liquid or solid as compared to an equal amount of water (think density)
- these are materials that DO NOT mix with water, they either sink or float
Toxic Products of Combustion
- may alter products
- may be less/more harmful depending on the HAZMAT that produced it
- smoke, steam, and runoff from fire and firefighting operations may contaminate a larger area and increases the need for respiratory protection and evacuation downwind
Vapor Density
-ratio of the weight of a vapor as compared to an equal amount of air therefore they either SINK or FLOAT
What does Vapor Density Determine?
the behavior of free vapors at the scene of a vaporizing liquid spill or gas release
Vapor Pressure
the pressure at which the vapor and liquid phases are in equilibrium in a closed container
What is the significance of vapor pressure?
- altitude and temperature affect the vapor pressure, which can increase the stress on the container
- materials with high flash points may become flammable
Water Solubility
a materials ability to blend uniformly
Types of solubility
Solid in liquid
Liquid in Liquid
Gas in Liquid
Gas in Gas
Solubility may be described as:
miscible (in regards to liquids and gas)
Polymerization
when two or more molecules chemically combine to form larger molecules in a reaction that can often be violent
Expansion Ratio
- Volume of a substance in a liquid form compared to the volume of the same number of molecules of that substance as a gas
- Ratio of finished foam volume to volume of original foam solution
Biological Agent and Toxins
- Viruses, bacteria, or their toxins which are harmful to people, animals, or crops
- Toxins: poison produced by living organisms
What is the difference between specific gravity and vapor density?
liquid vs. gas
Secondary Contamination is also known as…
Cross Contamination
Contamination
- transfer of hazmat
- occurs from DIRECT CONTACT with material
- victims and responders
Secondary (or Cross) Contamination
- INDIRECT transfer
- contact with victims and responders
Exposure vs. Contamination
Just because you were exposed does not mean you were contaminated (ex. someone with covid in a room with you)
Hazard vs. Exposure
- a Hazard is capable of posing unreasonable risk to health and safety
- exposure is affected by duration and concentration
Infectious and Contagious
Infectious gets YOU sick, Contagious gets OTHERS sick
- Infectious: caused by exposure to harmful microorganisms
- Contagious: capable of being transmitted
Acute vs. Chronic Effects
Immediate vs. Later
Acute vs. Chronic Exposures
Acute: large concentrations over a short time
Chronic: long periods of time with repeated exposure and low concentrations
Routes of Entry
inhalation
ingestion
absorption
injection
What are the 6 basic groups of Hazard and Response Information?
- Material ID Info (DOT regulations allows for this)
- Physical Properties
- Chemical Properties
- Physical Hazards
- Health Hazards
- Response Info
Hazardous Materials are classified according to..
their primary danger
All orange placards are…
Class One
On a placard, the orange background with a bursting ball indicates..
explosives
All gas placards will read…
GAS
NFPA Standard 704 markings are used to…
- identify the presence and type of hazmat/threat at FIXED facilities
- the marking DOES NOT identify the specific material
How are HAZMAT containers marked during transportation?
DOT placards, identification numbers for vehicles and containers
Vehicle or Tank Identification Markings include:
- type of container/vehicle
- “Shipping Papers” or “Bill of Lading”
- metal certification plate
- Shippers identification number (trailer number)
- placards or labels
On trains, the shipping papers are called…
Way Bills or Consist
Pipeline Markers:
(POES) Product Owner Emergency telephone number Signal Words
In regards to pipelines, be aware that:
- markers are not always exact indicators of a pipelines location
- pipelines do not always follow a straight line bw markers
- look for road intersection!
GHS stands for…
Globally Harmonized System
The Product Identifier must be on the label, it includes:
- how the hazard is identified
- manufacturer
- product identifier must also be in section one of the SDS and they must match
What is the standard for Pesticide Labels?
- Signal Word: indicates severity of hazard
- Active Ingredients: identified and % is indicated
- Hazard Statements: nature of hazard
- Precautionary Statements: recommended protective measures
- Manufacturer Information (name, address, number)
- EPA registration number
What information is included in the EPA Registration Number?
Manufacturer
Specific Product
Sub registration number (distributor’s name)
Radioactive Materials are broken down into…
fissile classes
What are the Fissile Classes?
- Radioactive 1: white placard, low levels
- Radioactive 2: yellow placard, medium levels
- Radioactive 3: yellow placard, high levels
What is included on Radioactive Material Labels?
- Fissile Classes
- Content: name of radionuclide
- Activity: Bq, Ci
- Transport Index
What is the transport index?
- on label of Radioactive Materials*
- a unit used to determine if the integrity of the package has been breached
- equals the maximum radiation level in mrem/hour at 1m from an undamaged package
How can you verify information obtained from the survey of HAZMAT as it relates to transportation?
- ERG
- CHEMTREC, CANUTEC, or SETIQ
- contact shippers
- internet
If you see “secondary contamination from handling patients”, it relates to…
criminal or terrorist activity!
Hazard Communication Program
- on post version of SDS
- will be found with: base supply, building managers, and fire departments
Safety Data Sheets
- fixed and transportation
- can be found with or in: shipper, a responder can obtain it through CHEMTREC, accompanying the shipment, Internet, at Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC)
What are the sections of a SDS?
Section One: product identifier, distributer and manufacturer information
Section Two: hazards
Section Three: info on chemical ingredients
Section Four: symptoms
Section Five: fire hazard info
Section Six: emergency procedures
Section Seven: handling and storage
Section Eight: PEL, TLVs, PPE
Section Nine: chemicals characteristics
Section Ten: stability
Section Eleven: routes of exposure and toxicity
Section Twelve-Fifteen: not regulated by OSHA
Section Sixteen: date of prep or revision
Law Enforcement can assist in:
- Scene Security
- Crime Scene Preservation
- Evidence Collection
What are the three types of stress?
- Thermal: radiated, convected
- Mechanical: dominant physical force
- Chemical: reaction between chemical and container or content
What is Stress?
the applied force or system of forces that tend to strain or deform a body
If stress is not dealt with, it causes…
breaches
Types of breaches:
- Disintegration: glass bottle breaking
- Run away cracking: BLEVE
- Closures opening up: failed closing mechanism
- Punctures: forklift collides into container
- Splits/Tears: torn plastic
What are the four ways a container can release their content?
- Detonation
- Violent Rupture
- Rapid Relief
- Spills and Leaks
REMEMBER: tears, splits, and punctures are _______ which cause the ______, such as spills and leaks
BREACHES cause RELEASE
What are the dispersion patterns of HAZMAT?
- Hemisphere: semicircle or dome, partially in contact with ground (GAS)
- Cloud: ball shaped, risen above ground (GAS)
- Plume: irregular shaped, influenced by wind or topography (GAS)
- Cone: triangle shaped with point source and wide base downrange (GAS)
- Stream: LIQUID flowing with topography
- Pool: LIQUID in equally shaped circle accumulated in low areas
- Irregular: irregular deposit or pattern (LIQUID)
Define Harm
injury or damage caused by being exposed to the hazards of the material
What are the factors that influence harm?
concentration and duration
Types of Hazards that cause harm:
Thermal: heat or cold
Etilogic: bodily fluid borne disease
Asphyxiation: inability to carry or deliver oxygen
Mechanical: explosion or fire
Corrosive: breaking layers of skin
Poisonous: inhibit body normal biological functions
Radiation: damaging through waves/particles
Physiological: generates fear or helplessness
Corrosive
causes visible destruction or irreversible damage to living tissue at the sight of contact
Lethal Concentration (LC 50) vs. Lethal Dose (LD 50)
lethal concentration is by inhalation and dose is by any other route
Toxic
Poisonous
Toxicity
the degree to which it is harmful
Irritant
cause REVERSIBLE inflammation at the site of contact
Sensitizer
causes an allergic reaction in most exposed organisms
Examples of chemicals that have target organ effects
- Hepatotoxins (liver damage)
- Nephrotoxins (kidney)
- Neurotoxins (nervous system)
- Blood Agents (hemoglobin)
- Pulmonary Agents (irritate the lung or damage pulmonary tissue)
Cutaneous Hazards
affect dermal layer
Asphyxiant
displaces oxygen
Convulsant
causes seizure
Allergen
provoking substance
Mutagen vs. Teratogen
effects DNA of mother and baby, respectively
Alpha Particles
- slow moving and heavy
- can travel 3 inches and be stopped by a sheet of paper
- not dangerous unless ingested
- PPE can protect against it
Beta Particles
- very small with high penetrating power
- can travel 7 ft
- can damage skin tissue, and internal organs if ingested
- PPE protects
Gamma Rays
- most dangerous
- originate from nucleus
- speed of light
- can be shielded by several feet of concrete or a few inches or lead
- can cause skin burns and damage internal organs
- PPE is inadequate
Neutron
- neutron particles ejected from an atoms nucleus
- nuclear power plants
- not commonly encountered in transportation
- best shielded with high hydrogen content material
What are the best ways to protect agains radiation?
Time, Distance, and Shielding
What is the Inverse Square Law?
Realtes to Radiation.
As you double the distance, you quarter the exposure
Resources for determining the size of the endangered area:
- ERG: table of initial isolation and protective action distances, green pages, orange pages for initial distances
- CHEMTREC
- Pre Incident Plume dispersion models
What factors influence determining numbers and types of exposures?
TIME TO LEAVE WASHINGTON:
- Time of day
- Type of occupancies
- Location of release
- Weather
IOT determine the total number of exposure that could be saved, you would:
- determine the total number of exposures
- determine the number or exposures already lost
- estimate effectiveness of the chosen action option
Defensive Operations fall into two categories
- Evacuation
2. Recognition, Identification, Notification, and Isolation
Gross Decontamination
- a phase of all decontamination
- because of cancer, gross decontamination is now recommended
- reduces contaminates immediately
- may not remove all contaminates
Describe the primary types of decontamination
- Emergency: removes the threatening contaminate from victim without regard to environment or property
- Technical: using chemical or physical methods to remove contaminates
- Mass Decontamination: large numbers of people as fast as possible
We set um emergency decontamination…
IMMEDIATELY
We set up technical and mass decon…
before entering the hot zone
Residual Contact Contamination
waste runoff as a by-product of the decontamination process
High Temperature Protective Clothing Includes…
- Approach Suits: short term entry into flaming environments
- Proximity Suits: short term entry into flaming environments AND close approach for rescue
- Fire-Entry Suits: total flame environments, prolonged exposure to direct flame
Selection of proper PPE is based in:
the HAZARD and its IMPACT
Degradation, Penetration and Permeation
the damage, how it affects the suit, how it poses risk to you
What are you expected to be able to do at the operations level?
- describe safety and emergency procedures
- don, work in, and doff PPE
When it comes to PPE, emergency procedures include:
- Loss of air supply
- Loss of suit integrity
- Loss of verbal communication
- Buddy down in hot zone
NFPA 1500
annual requirements for individuals to be:
- trained
- tested
- certified
- job oriented PT test
NFPA 704
at a fixed facility. does not name the chemical.
NFPA 1991
Level A: unpermeated for 3 hours
NFPA 1992
Level B: unpermeated for 1 hour
