OMS 025 - Particulates/Fibres at Incidents - Asbestos Flashcards
OMS 025 - Particulates/Fibres at Incidents - Asbestos
Determining the Presence of Asbestos
Determining the Presence of Asbestos
Conduct a Size Up and consider the potential for asbestos to be present at any incident. At structures, particular attention should be paid to the following:
- Buildings constructed before 2004
- Flat or corrugated sheet
- Lagging on water pipes, particularly in boiler rooms
- Insulation of older water pipes, domestic heaters and stoves
- Ceiling insulations
Assume asbestos is present if a Size Up has indicated it’s likely to be present.
Consider the presence of asbestos at non-structure fires (eg. bushfire, waste facility fire) where structures have been impacted by fire, or where asbestos may have been illegally dumped.
Do not take samples of the suspected asbestos materials at any incident.
OMS 025 - Particulates/Fibres at Incidents - Asbestos
Controlling exposure to Asbestos
Controlling exposures to asbestos
- Conduct a SPADRA to determine if the asbestos has been disturbed and if personnel and equipment are likely to be contaminated. Continually monitor undisturbed asbestos throughout the incident to ensure it remains intact.
- Notify all fireground crews of the confirmed/suspected asbestos location, and confirm asbestos procedures are being implemented. Ensure all on scene non-operational personnel and support agency personnel are also notified.
- Restrict access to the area to minimise exposure, utilising barrier tape to cordon off the area and delineate Hot, Warm (decontamination sector) and Cold Zones. This may also be completed by utilising geographical delineation such as the perimeter of a building.
- Ensure all personnel, including non-operational and/or support agency personnel, wear appropriate respiratory protection and PPC. The level of protection will be determined by the zone in which personnel are working, and the activity being undertaken.
- Minimise disturbance of any material suspected of containing asbestos, and ensure it is wet down and remains damp and intact.
- Appoint a Safety Officer.
- Notify the CommCen of the presence of asbestos and the implementation of asbestos procedures.
- Attempt to minimise the number of personnel operating in the Hot Zone.
- Ensure appliances and vehicles are sited upwind with windows, doors, vents, lockers and compartments closed. Set the air conditioner to recycled air mode to prevent further introduction of particulates.
- Notify the following:
* On Shift Commander for all asbestos incidents (Regional Functional Commanders can be contacted during business hours)
* EPA where high concentrations of asbestos are present and FRV personnel have been contaminated.
* Local Government Area Building Surveyor or Environmental Health Officer for advice or assistance with the removal of asbestos.
- Contain water run-off for major asbestos incidents, and seek advice from the EPA if required.
- Ensure adequate resources are available for the incident, taking into account BA procedures and decontamination requirements.
- Document the strategies used to deal with asbestos on scene in an incident log, IAP or via CommCen.
OMS 025 - Particulates/Fibres at Incidents - Asbestos
Who to notify?
- Notify the following:
- On Shift Commander for all asbestos incidents (Regional Functional Commanders can be contacted during business hours)
- EPA where high concentrations of asbestos are present and FRV personnel have been contaminated.
- Local Government Area Building Surveyor or Environmental Health Officer for advice or assistance with the removal of asbestos.
OMS 025 - Particulates/Fibres at Incidents - Asbestos
Establishing DEBRiS
Establish a Base of Operations and implement DEBRiS work practices. Ensure debris base of operations and work practices are completed as per OMS 024 - Debris
OMS 025 - Particulates/Fibres at Incidents - Asbestos
DECON
Ensure decontamination and bagging of all PPC, BA, equipment, small gear and harnesses used in the Hot Zone is completed as per OPP 027 - Bagging and Transport - Asbestos prior to leaving the incident.
Decontaminate extruded hose onsite and restow.
OMS 025 - Particulates/Fibres at Incidents - Asbestos
Disposal
Ensure contaminated canvas hose, rope lines, lanyards and SW@H equipment outlined in OPP 027 - Bagging and Transport - Asbestos are bagged for disposal as per the OPP.
OMS 025 - Particulates/Fibres at Incidents - Asbestos
Replacement of BA, Hoses, Harnesses, Rope Lines and SW@H equipment
- Source replacement BA for appliances from BA Service/Sector on scene, District Station, BA Department or station cache.
- Contact ERM to arrange replacement of canvas hose and GP rope lines. For service requirements requiring immediate action outside business hours, contact an On Shift Commander for assistance to activate the ERM Warehouse.
- Contact an On Shift Commander to arrange replacement of harnesses, life rescue lines and SW@H equipment.
NOTE; during business hours, regional stations should contact a Functional Commander in the first instance.
OMS 025 - Particulates/Fibres at Incidents - Asbestos
Cleaning of Appliances on Scene
- Do not move any vehicles which are suspected to have been externally exposed to asbestos from the incident until on scene cleaning has been completed.
- Follow OPP 006 - Decontamination - Fireground Personnel, for all appliances including on scene support agency vehicles if required prior to leaving the scene.
- Isolate any vehicle suspected of being contaminated inside the cabin or compartments. IC/OO is to ensure specialist cleaning is conducted before recommissioning to service.
- Contact an On Shift Commander to arrange specialist cleaning of appliances when required.
NOTE; during business hours, regional stations should contact a Functional Commander in the first instance.
OMS 025 - Particulates/Fibres at Incidents - Asbestos
Transporting Asbestos Contaminated PPC, BAs, Canvas Hose back to station
- Transport bagged PPC, BA sets, canvas hose, ropes and harnesses back to station as per OPP 027 - Bagging and Transport - Asbestos
- Consider requesting assistance from an On Shift Commander or Functional Commander to arrange transportation of asbestos bags where application of the OPP is unachievable. Requests after hours in regional areas will need to be arranged by the designated On Shift Commander.
OMS 025 - Particulates/Fibres at Incidents - Asbestos
Handing over the scene
- Double bag all contaminated consumables (eg. P2 masks and wipes) using an asbestos bag with a goose-neck seal, secured with duct tape.
-*Store bags within the cordoned off area for disposal by owner/occupier. Items should not be returned to FRV Fire Stations. - Notify the owner, occupier or other responsible person of the asbestos risk.
- Inform the CommCen of the contact to whom the scene has been handed over.
OMS 025 - Particulates/Fibres at Incidents - Asbestos
Returning to Station
- Ensure firefighters shower immediately, prior to putting the truck back into commission, paying particular attention to hair, neck, face, armpits and groin.
- Ensure asbestos bags, cards and adhesive envelopes are replenished on the appliance as per appliance inventory requirements.
- Ensure all personnel who attended the incident with an asbestos hazard individually complete an FRVSafe Report, specifying the asbestos hazard and Firecall number.
- Refer to ORP 008 - Collection of Contaminated Items - Asbestos, for instructions regarding the storage and collection of bagged items.
