Emergencies

The overall objective for this module is that participants will recognize the key elements of the emergency planning process and their associated responsibilities

Overview

• The purpose of emergency planning

• Recognition of emergencies

• The elements of an emergency response plan

• Hazardous substance spills or fires

What is an Emergency?

• It is a serious situation or occurrence that happens unexpectedly and demands immediate action

Types of Emergencies

• Effect an individual worker– Chemical overexposure

• Effect many workers– Explosion– Spill– Fire

Preparation

• Have a comprehensive, workable emergency plan that is tailored to the specific hazards and site conditions

• Train all employees in the use and contents of the plan, and their roles

• Keep the plan and employee training current

Emergency Plans

• Written documents that set forth policies and procedures for responding to site emergencies

• Required by federal, state and local regulations

• Contingency Plan (RCRA - TSDFs)

• Local Emergency Plans

• Fire Prevention Plan

Emergency Response Plan

• Pre-emergency planning

• Personnel roles, lines of authority, and communication

• Emergency recognition and prevention

• Safe distances and safe refuge

• Site security and control

Emergency Response Plan

• Evacuation routes and procedures• Decontamination procedures not covered

by the site safety and health plan• Emergency medical treatment and first

aid• Emergency signals and response

procedures• Critique of response and follow-up• PPE and emergency equipment

Training

• Before you respond

• Corresponds to response actions

• To respond to anticipated emergency

• To evacuate in the event of unanticipated emergency

ERP Training

• Review of ERP

• SOPs for the job/responsibility

• PPE

• Procedures for handling emergency incidents

Recognizing Emergencies

• Uncontrolled situation that would / may harm people

• Personal injury

• Fire - large, gases, fumes, spread, explosion

• Unstable materials / explosion

• Spill with potential hazard / or off site

When is an emergencyWhen is an emergency

NOTNOT

an emergency ??????an emergency ??????

Fundamental

Emergency Priorities

#1

Human Life, Health, and Safety

Environment

Property

Emergency Response

• Know when to implement the emergency response plan

• Safe distances and safe refuge

• Site security and control

• Decontamination

• Maintenance

• Evaluation

Emergency Response

• Sequence of events– Use an alarm to warn others of dangers

– Remove self from area and immediate danger

– Assess the situation from a distance for severity

– Note important facts

– Initiate emergency response plan

– Notify proper contacts or response agency

Safe Distances and Safe Refuge

For every 100 feet you move away from the hazard, your safety factor increases exponentially

Increasing Distance

Safe

Very Dangerous

Site Security and Control

• Isolate the hazard area

• Eliminate ignition sources

• Decontaminate personnel if needed

Site Control

• Divide geographic site of a hazardous materials release or spill into manageable sectors

• First arriving individuals initiate the process of establishing these areas

Site Control

• First person to arrive at the spill takes command

• Often the most important decisions are made in the first few minutes at site

• Transfer of command can occur if written into the SPCC or ER Plan

Site ControlFirst Person(s) to Arrive:

• Evaluate the situation and initiate actions

• Recognize and identify problem with orientation toward health and safety

• Control access to hazard area and isolate the hazard !

• Identify and evaluate the hazard and risk

• Remove injured and evacuate others

• Determine resource needs

Site Control

Once the scene is secured

and the hazard(s) isolated,

steps can be taken to

more definitively identify

the materials involved and

their hazards

Site Control

• Based on material(s) spilled you may:– Need to evacuate additional personnel

– Need to request additional assistance such as fire control or medical help

– Determine what PPE must be used

– Identify needed supplies / equipment

– Identify experts / contractors needed

Site Control

To rescue or not to rescue,

that is the question

Estimated boundary of area with highest

contamination

CRZ

Access Control Points

Decon Line

Wind Direction

Exclusion Zone Boundary

Support Zone

Hazard Zone

• Hot zone, restricted zone or exclusion zone

• Must be tightly controlled

• Use "buddy" system

• Have a "back-up/rescue" team stand by

• Use PPE and monitor activities

CRZ

• Contamination Reduction Zone - warm zone or transition zone

• Transition between the hazard area and the support area

• Primary function is a place for decontamination

• Monitoring the hazard area for spread of airborne contaminants

CRZ

• PPE required

• Detection of contaminants in CRZ requires an evaluation of the size of the hazard zone

• Hazard area may need to be enlarged

Support Zone

• Area beyond the range of potential contamination

• The person in charge and support personnel stay in this area

• Access is controlled

Support Zone Tasks and Functions

• Layout of equipment and supplies

• Assisting entry and back-up teams in dressing

• Command or control post

• Logging of data

• Communications

Decontamination is...

Process of removing or neutralizing contaminants that have accumulated on personnel equipment

Decontamination

• Decontaminate all equipment used in an emergency response– Wipe off all equipment with paper towels or

disposable rags moistened with liquid detergent

– Clean brooms with liquid detergent and a small amount of water. Spray water onto the broom and allow to drain into a plastic cleanup bag containing the spill residue and absorbent

Decontamination

– Fill a bag with enough absorbent to contain all liquids

– Contaminated rags or paper towels should be disposed into the same labeled plastic bag as hazardous waste

Maintenance

• Replace or recharge fire extinguishers• Restock spill containment supplies• Clean or replace personal protective

equipment and clothing• Visually inspect process and storage

areas and equipment effected by the incident verify completeness of cleanup

Evaluation

• To determine if changes in operating procedures could prevent a recurrence and whether emergency response was adequate

Medical Emergencies

• Gather information

• Call designated Emergency Medical Technicians or rescue personnel

• Do what you are trained to do

• Protect yourself

• Help the victim safely

Spills and Releases to the Environment

• Report to immediate management

• Identify the spill

• Determine the proper protective equipment

• Contain the spill with cleanup sheets or sorbents

Liquid Spills

• Small Spills– Wipe up with proper cleanup sheets,

towels or absorbents– Neutralize acids and bases– Wash contaminated area with liquid

detergent and absorbent– Properly dispose of residues and

liquids

Liquid Spills

• Large Spills– Temporary shutdown of normal facility

operations until completion of cleanup– “Temporarily Closed”- Cleanup takes

first priority over other duties

Liquid Spills

• Large Spills– Stop the flow– Assess leaky transfer– Move uninvolved products– Provide containment in case

Solid Spills

• Sweep up carefully preventing dust from becoming airborne

• Wash the area with liquid detergent

• Soak up the residue with cleanup and properly dispose

Fire and Explosion Emergencies

• Small fire not presenting an immediate hazard, control with portable fire extinguishers

• If fire persists or becomes involved, call the local fire department

Fire Extinguishers

• Type A– Contains water– Used on combustible such as wood and

paper

Fire Extinguishers

• Type B & C– Contain carbon dioxide or dry chemical – Used on flammable liquid materials or

electric equipment

If Fire Persists:

Don’t be a hero

Don’t wait for an automatic system