DecontaminationDecontamination

Instructional GoalInstructional Goal

• understand the purpose and understand the purpose and principles of deconprinciples of decon

• see the potential for work-related see the potential for work-related exposure during deconexposure during decon

• demonstrate decon principle is demonstrate decon principle is the fieldthe field

Decontamination is . . .Decontamination is . . .

process of removing or process of removing or neutralizing contaminants neutralizing contaminants that have accumulated that have accumulated on personnel and on personnel and equipmentequipment

Why Decon?Why Decon?

• Protect personnel by reducing the Protect personnel by reducing the transfer of harmful materials into transfer of harmful materials into clean areas; clean areas;

• Helps prevent mixing of incompatible Helps prevent mixing of incompatible chemicals; chemicals;

• Protects the community by preventing Protects the community by preventing uncontrolled transportation of uncontrolled transportation of contaminants from the site.contaminants from the site.

Decontamination PlanDecontamination Plan• Establish methods and proceduresEstablish methods and procedures

• Determine appropriate decon methodsDetermine appropriate decon methods

• Determine number and layout of decon stationsDetermine number and layout of decon stations

• Establish procedures to prevent contamination of Establish procedures to prevent contamination of clean areasclean areas

• Determine decon equipment neededDetermine decon equipment needed

• Establish methods for disposing of clothing and Establish methods for disposing of clothing and equipmentequipment

S O Ps for S O Ps for DecontaminationDecontamination

Minimize contact with wasteMinimize contact with waste

• Stay out of the contaminantStay out of the contaminant

• Use remote sampling Use remote sampling

• Protect equipmentProtect equipment

• Wear disposable outer garments Wear disposable outer garments

• Use disposable equipment when possibleUse disposable equipment when possible

• Encase contaminant sourcesEncase contaminant sources

S O Ps for DecontaminationS O Ps for DecontaminationMaximize Worker ProtectionMaximize Worker Protection

•Check PPE before useCheck PPE before use

•Proper dressout Proper dressout proceduresprocedures

•Training and retrainingTraining and retraining

DecontaminationDecontamination

Maximize Worker ProtectionMaximize Worker Protection

Fasten all fastenersFasten all fasteners

& &

Seal all gapsSeal all gaps

Levels of ContaminationLevels of Contamination

•Surface - Surface - easy to detect and removeeasy to detect and remove

•PermeationPermeation– Contact timeContact time– ConcentrationConcentration– TemperatureTemperature– Size of molecules and pore spaceSize of molecules and pore space– Physical state of wastePhysical state of waste

Key QuestionsKey Questions

Is the decon method effective Is the decon method effective for the specific substances for the specific substances

present?present?

Does the method itself pose Does the method itself pose any health or safety hazards?any health or safety hazards?

Decontamination Decontamination Methods Methods Isolation-Dry Isolation-Dry DeconDecon

Contaminants end up in the BagContaminants end up in the Bag

““Bag and Stash”Bag and Stash”

HazardousWaste

Decontamination Methods Decontamination Methods Physical RemovalPhysical Removal

•Loose contaminantsLoose contaminants•Adhering contaminantsAdhering contaminants

– SolidificationSolidification– RinsingRinsing

•Volatile LiquidsVolatile Liquids

Decontamination Methods Decontamination Methods Chemical RemovalChemical Removal

• Dissolving ContaminantsDissolving Contaminants• SurfactantsSurfactants• NeutralizersNeutralizers• Disinfection / SterilizationDisinfection / Sterilization

Testing for EffectivenessTesting for Effectiveness

•Visual Observation Visual Observation – Natural & UV LightNatural & UV Light

•Wipe SamplingWipe Sampling

•Cleaning Solution AnalysisCleaning Solution Analysis

•Testing for PermeationTesting for Permeation

Health and Safety Hazards of Health and Safety Hazards of Decontamination Decontamination

•Consider compatibility of decon Consider compatibility of decon solutions or other decon solutions or other decon materials BEFORE usematerials BEFORE use

•Consider the effect of the decon Consider the effect of the decon method on decon personnel method on decon personnel and workers BEFORE useand workers BEFORE use

Decon Facility DesignDecon Facility Design

• Depends on site-specific factorsDepends on site-specific factors

• Provides an organized process to Provides an organized process to reduce levels of contaminationreduce levels of contamination

• Flow patterns and separate Flow patterns and separate stationsstations

All equipment and All equipment and materials used for materials used for decontamination decontamination

must be must be decontaminated or decontaminated or

disposed of properlydisposed of properly

DecontaminationDecontamination

Disposal MethodsDisposal Methods

DecontaminationDecontamination

Personal ProtectionPersonal Protection

Decon workers stationed Decon workers stationed closest to the Exclusion closest to the Exclusion

Zone need more PPE than Zone need more PPE than decon workers stationed decon workers stationed near the Support Zonenear the Support Zone

Basic 6 - Step Decon Basic 6 - Step Decon LineLine1) 1) Equipment DropEquipment Drop

2) 2) Gross Decon - wash / rinse boots Gross Decon - wash / rinse boots & gloves& gloves

3)3) Air Tank ChangeAir Tank Change

4)4) Boots, gloves, & outer garment offBoots, gloves, & outer garment off

5)5) SCBA Facepiece RemovalSCBA Facepiece Removal

6)6) Field WashField Wash

Wash face and hands

Tub with washwater and towel

6

RETURN WITH

NEW AIR TANK

EQUIPMENT DROP

CLEAN SIDE

DIRTY SIDE

ENTERENTER

SPAREAIRTANKS

5 GALPAIL WITHWASHWATER

SHOWERSTALL

1

2

5

4

Remove SCBAfacepiece andinner gloves

Tub for SCBAfacepiece

Field wash boots and CPC

Step into bag and peel CPC off and into bag

Bag 55-85 gallon

Leave SCBA facepiece on

3

Drop SCBABag for SCBA

OR

Get full air tank and return

Drum for bagged CPC

HOT ZONE

SUPPORT ZONE

Decontamination Decontamination

Emergency Decontamination Emergency Decontamination

• Procedures must be Procedures must be establishedestablished

• Stabilize first or decon Stabilize first or decon first???first???

• Protect medical personnelProtect medical personnel

• Dispose of contaminated stuffDispose of contaminated stuff

Life-saving ProceduresRequired?

Life-saving ProceduresRequired?

Accident or Injury

Decontaminate as

much as possible!

Grossly Decontaminate or Coveror Wrap

Contaminated Areas!

Perform Life-SavingProcedures!

Further MedicalAttention or Surveillance

Needed?

Transport toMedical facility!

AdditionalEmergency Care

Needed?

Report to Safety Officer!

Yes

Contaminants Hazardous?

NoN

o

Yes

No

Yes

No Yes