VDEM Flashcards
OSHA 1910.120 (q) (6) (iii)
Hazardous Material Technicians (HMT) are individuals who respond to releases or potential releases for the purpose of stopping the release. They assume a more aggressive role than the first responder at the operations level in that they will approach the point of release in order to plug, patch or otherwise stop the release of a hazardous substance.
NFPA 472 Chapter 7
The Hazardous Material Technician (HMT) shall be that person who responds to hazardous material/WMD incidents using a risk-based response process by which he or she analyzes a problem involving hazardous material/WMD, selects applicable decontamination procedures, and controls a release using specialized protective clothing and control equipment.
The HMT shall demonstrate the following competencies:
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of the HMT when responding to and operating at an incident involving hazardous material/WMD.
- Understand the various terms and definitions used by government agencies to identify and describe hazardous materials.
- Understand state and federal laws and regulations as they apply to emergency operations at an incident involving hazardous material/WMD.
What are the three major objectives to meet the goals of the Hazardous Materials Technician?
Analyze, plan, implement
What does the U.S. DOT Title 49 CFR address?
It addresses the domestic transportation of hazardous materials for all forms of transportation to, from, and within the United States.
What kind of position will awareness and operations level responders take?
Defensive
What is the resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA)?
- RCRA established the federal effort in regulating solid and hazardous waste management.
- Defines solid and hazardous waste
- Regulates the generation, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste
- Establishes a permit program for hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDs)
What is RCRA also known as?
RCRA is also known as the “Cradle to Grave Law”. The law exempts actions taken during the immediate response. Transportation, storage, and disposal of material after it is cleaned-up are subject to all RCRA permitting.
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA)
CERCLA established the Superfund hazardous substances clean-up program.
- Requires the clean-up of releases of hazardous substances
- Authorizes the federal government to respond to spills and other releases
- Defines “Responsible Parties”
- The law exempts actions taken by State and local governments from CERCLA liability during an emergency response.
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA)
Title I - 42 U.S.C. section 126
- Requires OSHA to establish health and safety standards for workers who handle or respond to chemical emergencies.
Title III - 42 U.S.C. section 300
- Emergency Planning and community right to know.
- Contingency plans for hazardous substances.
What is a hazardous material and who/what defines it?
“A substance or material which has been determined by the Secretary of Transportation to be capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce, and which has been so designated…”
49 CFR (US DOT)
What is a hazardous substance and who/what defines it?
“Any substance designated or listed under paragraphs (a) through (d) of this definition, exposure to which results or may result in adverse effects on the health or safety of employees:
- Any substance defined under Section 101(14) or the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA);
- Any biological agent or other disease causing agent as defined CERCLA
- Any substance listed by the U.S. Department of Transportation as hazardous materials under 49 CFR 172.101
29 CFR (OSHA)
What is an extremely hazardous substance?
A term used to describe substances listed in 40 CFR. These chemicals may be subject to emergency planning and, in the event of a release, emergency notification.
EPA
What is hazardous waste?
A term for chemicals that are regulated under the Resource, Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (40 CFR, part 261.33) “Cradle to Grave Law.” Hazardous wastes in transport are regulated by DOT (49 CFR, parts 170-179).
EPA
What are toxic chemicals?
EPA term for chemicals whose total emission must be reported annually.
What are highly hazardous chemicals?
OSHA term for materials covered under 29CFR 1910.119 ‘Process Safety Management’.
What are dangerous goods?
“Outside the United States, the term ‘dangerous goods’ is used as roughly the equivalent to our usage of the term hazardous materials, especially as it relates to regulations governing transportation of materials (goods). The regulations are international and were prepared by the Committee of Experts on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods for the United Nations…”
Weapons of mass destruction
- Any destructive device as defined by section 921 of this title; includes explosives, incendiaries, and projectiles.
- Any weapon designed or intended to cause death or serious bodily injury through the release, dissemination, or impact of toxic or poisonous chemicals; or their precursors.
- Any weapon involving a biological agent, toxin or vector.
- Any weapon that is designed to release radiation or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life.
Code of Virginia
*44-146.34 of the Virginia Code
Hazardous Materials means substances or materials which may pose unreasonable risks to health, safety, property or the environment when used, transported, stored or disposed of, which may include materials which are solid, liquid, or gas. Hazardous materials may include toxic substances, flammable and ignitable materials, explosives, corrosive materials, and radioactive materials, and include
Those substances or materials in a form of quantity which may pose an unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property when transported, and which the Secretary of Transportation of the United States has so designated by regulation or order;
Weapon of Terrorism, Virginia Code Title 18.2-46.4
Any device or material that is designed, intended, or used to cause death, bodily injury or serious bodily harm, through the release, dissemination, or impact of (i) poisonous chemicals; (ii) an infectious biological substance; or (iii) release of radiation or radioactivity.
When judged to be an IDLH and/or to involve an imminent danger condition, who has the authority to alter, suspend, or terminate response activities?
The safety officer
Medical Surveillance Program
29 CFR 1910.120 (q) (9) refers to paragraph (f)
OSHA 1910.120 requires hazardous materials employees to participate in a medical surveillance both before and during employment.
- Pre-employment screening
- Annual medical exams
- Termination medical exam
Chemical Protective Clothing
29 CFR 1910.120 (q) (10)
- PPE shall be selected and used to protect employees form hazards and potential hazards as identified during the site characterization and analysis.
- Requires that a Personal Protective Equipment Program shall be established.
What are the 10 components of the Hazardous Material Tactical and Safety Plan?
- Site Map
- Hazard Analysis
- Safety and Health Considerations
- Tactical Objectives
- Scene Control Zones
- Tactical Command Structure
- Site Communications
- Hazard Monitoring
- PPE
- Decon
What are the ICS functional elements and what are they responsible for?
Command- responsible for the overall management of the incident. Develops and implements strategic decisions, approves the ordering and release of resources, responsible for incident safety, staff positions, Safety Officer, Information Officer and Liaison Officer.
Operations- responsible for the direct management of all incident tactical activities
Planning- responsible for the collection, evaluation and dissemination of tactical information, including resource status, situation status, documentation and technical specialist
Logistics- responsible for providing all support services including rehab, comms, supplies and facilities
Finance- responsible for all financial procurement services and cost analysis.
Where does the hazmat branch work?
The Hazmat Branch works in the Operations Section.
HAZMAT BRANCH DIRECTOR (GROUP SUPERVISOR)
Reports to the Operations Section Chief or the Incident Commander and is responsible for the implementation of the Incident Action Plan that deals with the tactical control of the hazardous material. This includes safety, site control, research, entry and decontamination.
- Establishes and maintains control zones and access points into the hot zone and the warm zone.
- Monitors the site for the presence and concentration of hazardous
materials.
HAZMAT SAFETY OFFICER
Coordinates safety related activities relating to the Hazmat Branch and advises the Hazmat Branch Officer on all aspects of health and safety. Has the authority to stop or prevent unsafe acts and is responsible to:
- Participate in the preparation and implementation of the Incident Tactical/safety plan.
- Advise the Hazmat Branch Director of deviations from the plan or any dangerous situations.
