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Norfolk Southern Hazmat Emergency Response Plan Table of Contents
Version 1: October 1998 Page i
For emergencies involving Norfolk Southern track or equipmentCall the Police Communications Center (800) 453-2530
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
1.0 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................ 1
2.0 PREVENTION............................................................................................................. 2
3.0 PREPAREDNESS........................................................................................................ 33.1 Coordination with Norfolk Southern Staff ....................................................... 43.2 Top 25 Rail Transported Hazardous Materials................................................. 43.3 Training and Exercises...................................................................................... 73.4 Local Norfolk Southern Rail Lines................................................................... 7
4.0 RESPONSE ................................................................................................................ 84.1 Incident Levels (I,II,III) .................................................................................... 84.2 On-Scene Command .........................................................................................104.3 Notification Procedures ....................................................................................11
4.3.1 Initial Notification – Local Fire and Police ...........................................114.3.2 Norfolk Southern Responsibilities .........................................................11
4.4 Norfolk Southern Response Resources.............................................................134.5 External Response Resources ...........................................................................144.6 Local Resources................................................................................................144.7 Hazard Identification ........................................................................................15
4.7.1 Rail Car Identification............................................................................154.7.2 Shipping Papers......................................................................................164.7.3 Placarding and Hazard Classes ..............................................................194.7.4 Shipping Containers...............................................................................19
4.8 Emergency Response Information Resources ..................................................22
5.0 POPULATION PROTECTION...................................................................................245.1 Pre-Emergency Identification of At-Risk Populations .....................................245.2 Recommended Practices for Shelter in Place Populations ...............................24
Norfolk Southern Hazmat Emergency Response Plan Table of Contents
Version 1: October 1998 Page ii
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EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1 Norfolk Southern Rail Operating System Map................................................. 5Exhibit 2 Top 25 Transported Hazardous Materials Nationwide (1997) ........................ 6Exhibit 3 Guide for Determining Incident Level and Response ...................................... 9Exhibit 4 Local and Norfolk Southern Notification Procedures ......................................12Exhibit 5 Location of Rail Car Initials and Number (Reporting Marks) .........................15Exhibit 6 Sample Norfolk Southern Train Consist...........................................................17Exhibit 7 Sample Norfolk Southern Waybill ...................................................................18Exhibit 8 UN/DOT Hazard Classes..................................................................................20Exhibit 9 Distribution of Hazardous Commodities Transported by
Norfolk Southern in 1997, by Hazard Classes..................................................21
Acknowledgement is hereby given to a similar Hazmat Emergency Response Plan prepared by ICF Kaiser Incorporatedfor use by CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT). Portions of the CSXT Plan are incorporated herein.
Norfolk Southern Hazmat Emergency Response Plan List of Acronyms
Version 1: October 1998 Page iii
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LIST OF ACRONYMS
AAR, BOE Association of American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CL Combustible Liquid
DOT Department of Transportation
EBS Emergency Broadcasting System
EMS Emergency Medical Services
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
FRA Federal Railroad Administration
GST General Superintendent Transportation
HAZMAT Hazardous Material
HAZWOPER Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response
ICS Incident Command System
LEPC Local Emergency Planning Committee
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet
NA North American
NA ERG North American Emergency Response Guidebook
NRC National Response Center
NS Norfolk Southern
NTSB National Transportation Safety Board
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PIH Poison by Inhalation
RQ Reportable Quantity
TRANSCAER Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response
UN United Nations
USCG United States Coast Guard
Norfolk Southern Hazmat Emergency Response Plan Section 1. Introduction
Version 1: October 1998 Page 1
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
This Plan has been developed byNorfolk Southern Railway Company(Norfolk Southern) to assist localemergency response organizations intheir efforts to plan for and respond torailway related incidents or emergencies.Because this Plan is designed to augmentthe local response plan(s), it is purposelybrief to cover only the key informationthat would be needed by planners andresponse organizations if an incidentinvolving Norfolk Southern shouldoccur. This Plan is subdivided into fourmain sections, addressing Prevention,Preparedness, Response, and PopulationProtection. Important components of thePlan include:
Τ Important phone numbers and pointsof contact in the event of a NorfolkSouthern related incident;
Τ Important notification procedures inthe event of a hazardous materialsincident;
Τ Rail car placarding/labelinginformation and sources of additionalinformation on hazardous materialsand hazard identification;
Τ Listing of the top 25 rail transportedhazardous materials nationwide, andNorfolk Southern contacts foracquiring similar information forlocal communities;
Τ Important information on how toidentify ownership of local rail lines;
Τ Additional resources available toNorfolk Southern and the LocalEmergency Planning Committees(LEPCs) in the event of an incident;and
Τ Potential training and emergencyresponse exercise opportunitiesavailable from Norfolk Southern.
The information that follows willassist local planners prepare for andrespond to any potential rail incident oremergency. This Plan is also designedto provide responders with accurate andefficient access to Norfolk Southern staffand resources, so that the necessary localand private resources can be engagedshould the need arise.
Norfolk Southern Hazmat Emergency Response Plan Section 2. Prevention
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2.0 PREVENTION
Accident and incident preventionare the primary focus and challenge ofNorfolk Southern’s Hazardous MaterialsRisk Management Program, with thegoals of minimizing risks andmaximizing employee and transportationsafety and protection of the environment.These goals are accomplishedthroughout Norfolk Southern through astrict program of effective employeetraining, regulatory and rule compliance,and risk assessment. Other preventionmeasures implemented by NorfolkSouthern include the “Go for FourProgram”, which requires that carscarrying hazardous materials not becoupled at speeds over 4 mph. Inaddition, Norfolk Southern has adedicated maintenance programdesigned to ensure ongoing propermaintenance of the operating systeminfrastructure. This includes frequentinspections and upgrades to railequipment and track. In addition,
Norfolk Southern coordinates with theshipper following any rail incident toensure against reoccurrence of thesituation and controlling factors.
In 1997, Norfolk Southernhandled 269,640 loads of hazardousmaterials traffic across its operatingsystem, which represents 5.6% of thetotal Norfolk Southern loads transportedthat year. In 1997, Norfolk Southernhad a total of only 99 DOT F 5800.1reportable incidents, of which only fivewere accident related (i.e., derailmentrelated). This works out to an incidentper shipment ratio of only 0.3672incidents per 1000 shipments. This is asignificant decrease from the ratio ofalmost 0.92 incidents per 1000shipments from a decade ago (1987).The dedicated implementation ofNorfolk Southern’s Hazardous MaterialsRisk Management Program has resultedin a significant overall improvement inthe company’s safety and hazardousmaterials incident record.
Norfolk Southern Hazmat Emergency Response Plan Section 3. Preparedness
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3.0 PREPAREDNESS
The primary goal of transportinghazardous materials is to move each andevery shipment in a timely manner fromorigin to destination safely and withoutincident. In the event of a hazardousmaterials incident, the goal becomes to(1) effectively prevent injuries, (2)minimize property damage, and (3)safeguard against significantenvironmental impact.
Preplanning and preparedness areessential to achieving timely andeffective incident response. An effectivestate of preparedness is accomplishedthrough good emergency planning andtraining, comprehensive emergencyresponse exercises, and the performanceof regular evaluations of theeffectiveness of response plans.
To better facilitate emergencypreparedness activities with localcommunities, Norfolk Southern is anactive participant in the TRANSCAER
Program (Transportation CommunityAwareness and Emergency Response).TRANSCAER is a nationwidecommunity outreach program designedto address community concerns about
the transportation of hazardous materialsthrough planning and cooperation. Theprogram provides assistance forcommunities to develop and evaluatetheir emergency response plans forhazardous materials transportationincidents.
For information aboutTRANSCAER efforts at the locallevel, or to obtain information abouttraining opportunities with NorfolkSouthern for their community, localplanners may contact the NorfolkSouthern Environmental ProtectionDepartment, Attention: Manager,Hazardous Materials, 110 FranklinRoad, S.E., Roanoke, Virginia 24042-0013.
To assist local emergencyplanners and responders in theirpreparedness related to NorfolkSouthern, this section discusses (1)coordination with Norfolk Southernenvironmental and response staff; (2) thetop 25 hazardous materials carried byrail in the U.S and Canada; (3) exercisesand training conducted by and availablefrom Norfolk Southern; and (4) how toidentify rail line ownership.
Norfolk Southern Hazmat Emergency Response Plan Section 3. Preparedness
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3.1 Coordination with NorfolkSouthern Staff
Norfolk Southern has aprofessional staff of hazardous materialsmanagers who can respond as necessaryto any incident or emergency. Thesemanagers are strategically locatedthroughout the Norfolk SouthernOperating System and are available toassist company personnel andemergency responders in the mitigationof emergency situations. Exhibit 1 is amap of the Norfolk Southern OperatingSystem, showing regional coverageareas for the hazardous materialsmanagers.
The hazardous materialsmanagers have a variety of responsetools and resources available for use inan emergency. The Norfolk Southernhazardous materials manager will workwith other company officials and thelocal incident command personnel toensure safe and efficient handling of theincident.
3.2 Top 25 Rail TransportedHazardous Materials
Data on the common types andvolumes of hazardous materials beingtransported through local communitiesare useful for local emergency plannersin developing effective and realisticemergency response plans. In general,the types of hazardous materialstransported by rail through localcommunities do not vary significantlyfrom the national average. The typicalvariance may be in the ordering of the“top ten” products that are transportedthrough various communities. A listingof the top 25 hazardous materialstransported nationwide, as measured by
tank car loaded originations in the U.S.and Canada in 1997, is summarized inExhibit 2.
Norfolk Southern providessimilar traffic flow information to localemergency planners upon request.Hazardous Material Density Studyreports list each commodity by name,hazard class, and United Nations/NorthAmerican (UN/NA) Number.Frequency information is generallyprovided by number of carloads for thetop fifty most often transported productsin the locale. Hazardous MaterialDensity Study reports for the new,merged Norfolk Southern system shouldbe available by Fall 1999. Localplanners may contact the NorfolkSouthern Environmental ProtectionDepartment, Attention: Manager,Hazardous Materials, 110 FranklinRoad, S.E., Roanoke, Virginia 24042-0013, if they wish to obtain thisinformation for their localcommunity.
Norfolk Southern Hazmat Emergency Response Plan Section 3. Preparedness
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EXHIBIT 1 Norfolk Southern Operating System Map
Norfolk Southern Hazmat Emergency Response Plan Section 3. Preparedness
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Exhibit 2. Top 25 Transported Hazardous Materials Nationwide (1997)1
Rank Hazmat Code Commodity (DOT Proper ShippingName)
DOT HazardClass
Total Tank CarOriginations
1 4935240 Sodium Hydroxide, solution 8 92,0312 4905752 Petroleum Gases, liquefied 2.1 88,9173 4930040 Sulfuric Acid 8 78,2584 4904210 Ammonia, Anhydrous, liquefied 2.2 66,1555 4961605 Elevated Temperature Liquid, Not
Otherwise Specified9 62,478
6 4920523 Chlorine 2.3 52,4697 4945770 Sulfur, molten 9 44,5128 4905792 Vinyl Chloride, inhibited 2.1 32,2239 4909230 Methanol 3 29,30810 4917403 Sulfur, molten 4.1 27,15311 4930247 Phosphoric Acid 8 24,39712 4912210 Fuel Oil 3 24,32613 4908175 Gasoline 3 22,18114 4905421 Propane 2.1 21,79815 4909152 Denatured Alcohol 3 21,32616 4907265 Styrene Monomer, inhibited 3 20,45017 4904509 Carbon Dioxide, refrigerated liquid 2.2 19,42018 4930228 Hydrochloric Acid, solution 8 18,50319 4914164 Fuel Oil CL 12,49920 4905423 Butane 2.1 12,07821 4905704 Butadienes, inhibited 2.1 11,24722 4921598 Phenol, molten 6.1 10,43123 4914166 Diesel Fuel CL 9,91024 4912217 Fuel Oil 3 9,01125 4905784 Propylene 2.1 8,949
2.1 Flammable Gas2.2 Non-Flammable Gas2.3 Poison Gas3 Flammable LiquidCL Combustible Liquid
4.1 Flammable Solid6.1 Poisonous Material8 Corrosive Material9 Misc. Hazmat/ORM
1(Top 25 Hazardous Commodity Movements as Measured by Tank Car Loaded Originations inthe U.S. and Canada, 1997. Source Transportation Technology Center, Inc.)
Norfolk Southern Hazmat Emergency Response Plan Section 3. Preparedness
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3.3 Training and Exercises
Regular training and exercisingof emergency response plans facilitateseffective operations during an actualresponse.
Norfolk Southern has emergencyresponse plans in place to control andremediate hazardous materials incidentsand to minimize the damage caused bythem. However, due to the nature of therailroad network, Norfolk Southernrecognizes that local emergencyresponse personnel, such as firefighters,Emergency Medical Services (EMS),and police, will most likely be the first toarrive at the scene of a hazardousmaterials incident. Therefore, the bestdeveloped plans in place throughout theNorfolk Southern operating system willnot be 100% effective unless an efficientincident response capability ismaintained by local communities alongthe right-of-way.
In response to this need, NorfolkSouthern is an active participant in theTRANSCAER initiative. A portion ofthis program includes training for firedepartments and other local emergencyresponse organizations. In fact, since1997 Norfolk Southern has providedhazardous materials training to over4,000 state and local emergencyresponders.
Norfolk Southern regularlyconducts two levels of emergencypreparedness exercises: tabletopexercises and full-scale exercises.Tabletop exercises are designed to havethe participants practice problemsolving, generate discussion, and resolvequestions about handling an incident,
through the tabletop analysis of variousincident scenarios. Full-scale exercisesput the Norfolk Southern SystemEmergency Action Plan and DivisionalEmergency Action Plans through apractical evaluation, via the enactment ofa full response to a mock incident.
In general, Norfolk Southernworks with LEPCs through theTRANSCAER program to coordinateexercises, both tabletop and full-scale.Norfolk Southern is currently developinga program to coordinate emergencyresponse drills and exercises with localemergency response agencies at majorrail yards within the Norfolk Southernoperating system.
3.4 Local Norfolk SouthernRail Lines
It is important for localemergency planners to familiarizethemselves with the local rail lines toknow the ownership of the line andpotential access routes for emergencyresponse vehicles. As part of its gradecrossing safety program, NorfolkSouthern has posted a telephone hotlinenumber (1-800-946-4744), along withthe Federal Railroad Administration(FRA) unique Crossing IdentificationNumber, at each Norfolk Southerncrossing. This program allows people toreport malfunctions in crossing safetydevices to Norfolk Southern, but canalso be used by emergency responders toidentify Norfolk Southern rail lines inthe event of a railroad incident. Alisting of the railroad crossings withina community can be obtained bycontacting the Police CommunicationsCenter (1-800-453-2530).
Norfolk Southern Hazmat Emergency Response Plan Section 4. Response
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4.0 RESPONSE
Norfolk Southern will respond toall known hazardous material incidentsthat occur in the course of transportationover the Norfolk Southern Railwaysystem. Norfolk Southern’s primaryobjectives at the scene of a hazardousmaterials incident are to:
! Protect life and health;
! Protect property and theenvironment;
! Cooperate with and assistgovernmental authorities; and
! Comply with local, state, and federalregulations.
4.1 Incident Levels (I, II, III)
Norfolk Southern has developed anincident level response system basedupon the designation of hazardousmaterials incidents as either Level I, II,or III Incidents. The Level of ahazardous materials incident is based oncertain hazard assessment criteria, whichinclude:
! Nature of commodity or hazardclass;
! Leak severity;
! Potential threat to life or safety;
! Fire/Explosion potential;
! Potential environmental impact towater, land, and air;
! Container integrity;
! Tank car derailment status; and
! Oil discharge (locomotive spills).
Exhibit 3 is a guide for determiningIncident Levels, and lists variousincident conditions and decision-makingguidelines. A clear understanding of theIncident Level system utilized byNorfolk Southern will help in responsecoordination efforts between the LocalEmergency Planners and Respondersand Norfolk Southern staff andresources.
Norfolk Southern Hazmat Emergency Response Plan Section 4. Response
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EXHIBIT 3
GUIDE FOR DETERMINING INCIDENT LEVEL AND RESPONSE
INCIDENT LEVELINCIDENTCONDITIONS I II III
COMMODITY OF HAZARDCLASS
LOW HAZARDRQ = 5000 OR 1000 POUNDS
2.2,3,8,9,CL
MEDIUM HAZARDRQ = 100 POUNDS
3,4,5
HIGH HAZARDRQ = 10 OR 1 POUNDS
1,2.1,2.3,6,7,ESC,PIH,HW,MP
LEAK SEVERITYAMOUNT RELEASED
MINOR: CAN BE CONTAINEDOR CONTROLLED WITH READILY
AVAILABLE RESOURCES
MEDIUM: CAN BECONTROLLED ONLY WITH
SPECIAL RESOURCES
MAJOR: MAY NOT BECONTROLLABLE EVEN WITH
SPECIAL RESOURCES
LIFE/SAFETYIMPACT
NO LIFE THREATENINGSITUATION FROM MATERIALINVOLVED, NO EVACUATION
LOCALIZED AREA,MINIMUM EVACUATION
LARGE AREAS,MASS EVACUATION
FIRE/EXPLOSIONPOTENTIAL LOW MEDIUM HIGH
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT(WATER, LAND, AIR) MINIMAL
NO LONG TERM DAMAGEMODERATE
LONG TERM DAMAGE POSSIBLEMAJOR
LONG TERM DAMAGE LIKELY
POTENTIAL PROPERTYDAMAGE LOW
< $10,000MEDIUM
$10,000 TO $50,000HIGH
> $50,000
CONTAINERINTEGRITY NOT DAMAGED
DAMAGED BUT WILL CONTAINCONTENTS TO ALLOW HANDLING OR
TRANSFER OF PRODUCT
DAMAGED TO SUCH ANEXTENT THAT CATASTROPHIC
RUPTURE IS POSSIBLE
TANK CARDERAILMENT STATUS
CAR ON RAIL ORWHEEL(S) DERAILEDWITH CAR UPRIGHT
LOADED HAZMAT TANKCAR NOT UPRIGHT
MULTIPLE LOSSESHAZMAT CARS NOT
UPRIGHT
OIL DISCHARGE(LOCOMOTIVE SPILLLS)
A FUEL SPILL OFLESS THAN 1,000 GALLONS
INTO ENVIRONMENT
A FUEL SPILL OF1,000 TO
5,000 GALLONSINTO ENVIRONMENT
A FUEL SPILL OFMORE THAN 5,000 GALLONS
INTO ENVIRONMENT
Norfolk Southern Hazmat Emergency Response Plan Section 4. Response
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4.2 On-Scene Command
Norfolk Southern recognizes theauthority of local emergency responseofficials to take command of anyincident that poses a threat to the healthand safety of the general public or theenvironment. All Norfolk Southernmanagement employees understand thatit is their role at an emergency to workwith local officials to bring an incidentto a safe conclusion.
Norfolk Southern personnel andcontractors working on the scene of ahazardous materials incident are coveredby the U.S. Occupational Safety andHealth Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR(Code of Federal Regulations) 1910.120“Hazardous Waste Operations andEmergency Response” (HAZWOPER)regulations. As instructed in theseregulations, Norfolk Southern willutilize an Incident Command System(ICS) for its employees and contractors.Further, they will work with localofficials in a Unified ICS as recognizedby the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) and U.S. Coast Guard(USCG) and cited in the National Oiland Hazardous Substances PollutionContingency Plan, 40 CFR Part 300.Only fully trained and qualifiedindividuals will be permitted to conductoffensive, hands-on, technical responseactivities. Specialized contractorsworking at the scene will be covered bythese regulations and are considered"specialized" employees.
The senior or designated NorfolkSouthern representative will be in chargeof all Norfolk Southern employees,contractors or other company resources.The Norfolk Southern official willcoordinate with the local emergency
response official in charge. NorfolkSouthern will make resources andinformation available to the localemergency response official to aid in thesafe and efficient mitigation of theincident.
It is understood that no NorfolkSouthern official may commit anyresources to any task which wouldviolate local, state, or federal laws orstatutes or which would pose anunreasonable risk or safety hazard to anypersonnel working for Norfolk Southern.
Norfolk Southern Operating andSafety rules will be strictly adhered to byall Norfolk Southern employees duringre-railing or emergency responseoperations. The senior or designatedNorfolk Southern official on scene isfully responsible for the enforcement ofthe rules and the conduct of allemployees, both Norfolk Southern andcontractor personnel.
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4.3 Notification Procedures
This section outlines the localand Norfolk Southern notificationprocedures when a railroad hazardousmaterials incident occurs. Please seeExhibit 4 for a flow chart depicting theNorfolk Southern notificationprocedures.
4.3.1 Initial Notification – LocalFire and Police
Norfolk Southern incidentnotification procedures vary slightlydepending on whether or not the incidentoccurs in a railyard or on the mainline(i.e., between railyards). In the yard,Norfolk Southern employees report allincidents to the Yardmaster or TerminalTrainmaster, who then contacts theDivision Chief Dispatcher, and local Fireand Police using 911 if available. Online of road, Norfolk Southernemployees report all incidents directly tothe Division Chief Dispatcher, who thencontacts the Norfolk Southern PoliceCommunications Center in Roanoke,Virginia, to contact local Fire and Police.
4.3.2 Norfolk SouthernResponsibilities
After being notified of ahazardous materials incident, theDivision Chief Dispatcher may call onseveral sources for assistance, including:the General Superintendent Operations(GST) in Atlanta, Georgia; theapplicable Engineer EnvironmentalOperations (see Exhibit 1); the AAR-TTCI Bureau of Explosives FieldInspectors; and appropriate State and
For emergencies involvingNS track or equipment,
Call the NS PoliceCommunications Center,
24 hours a day at(800) 453-2530.
Local responders reporting anincident to Norfolk Southern needto report the rail car initials and
number for the car(s) at risk.
Local Government Agencies. TheDivision Chief Dispatcher, also notifiesthe Shipper by utilizing the 24-houremergency contact number found on theshipping documents. Often theCHEMTREC number 1-800-424-9300 isused to establish this contact.CHEMTREC is a 24-hour public serviceof the chemical industry that providesimmediate emergency responseinformation and assistance duringemergencies involving chemicals. TheGST contacts the National ResponseCenter, who notifies the appropriatefederal agencies, such as EPA, FRA, andNTSB. After initial notifications arecomplete, the Division Chief Dispatcherwill continue to coordinate the responseby providing a central point of contact,until command can be established on-site.
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EXHIBIT 4 Local and Norfolk Southern Notification Procedures
INCIDENT OBSERVER
YARDMASTER/TRAINMASTER
DIVISION CHIEFDISPATCHER
GENERALSUPERINTENDENT
OPERATIONSCONTROL CENTER
ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTION
DEPARTMENT
AAR BOEINSPECTOR
SHIPPER(CHEMTREC)1-800-424-9300
STATE ANDLOCAL
GOVERNMENT
DIVISIONRAILROADOFFICIALS
FEDERALAGENCIES
ENVIRONMENTALCONTRACTORS
NS POLICECOMMUNICATIONS
CENTER
LOCAL FIREAND POLICE YARD
MAINLINE
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4.4 Norfolk Southern ResponseResources
In the case of most derailmentsor spills, local responders do not havethe equipment or expertise to handlelarge spill clean up or railroad re-railingoperations. Norfolk Southern recognizesits role in providing this specializedexpertise and equipment to mitigate anincident. Norfolk Southern maintainsstanding contracts and agreements withvarious suppliers of these services.While on-scene, these contractors act asagents of Norfolk Southern and workdirectly under Norfolk Southern’scontrol. Examples of these contractorsare provided below.
! Railroad re-railing and wreckresponse contractors provide heavyequipment such as cranes, off tracklifting equipment, heavy earthmoving equipment, and the operatorsand ground crews to lift and re-raildamaged rail cars and locomotives.
! Emergency response (Hazmat)contractors provide vacuumequipment, pumping equipment, andcargo tanks for the recovery ofspilled products.
! Containers and heavy equipment areavailable for recovery of solidmaterials.
! Personnel are trained and equippedwith all levels of protectiveequipment for operations in closeproximity to spilled products, andleak and spill control equipment tocontain product from leakingcontainers.
! Environmental recovery contractorsprovide technical expertise in the on-site remediation or removal ofcontaminated water, soil, or debrisfrom the incident site.
! Industrial hygiene and public healthcontractors provide technicalexpertise and equipment to performon- and off-site air and watersampling.
These contractors are also usedto develop exclusion zones and workzones, and to document public healthexposure safety.
Norfolk Southern’s internal resourcesinclude:
" Transportation, Mechanical, andEngineering Departments;
" Environmental ProtectionDepartment;
" Damage Prevention and AutoDistribution;
" Norfolk Southern Casualty ClaimsOffices;
" Norfolk Southern Risk Management;
" Norfolk Southern Law Department;
" Public Relations Department; and
" Norfolk Southern Police.
All Norfolk Southern Resources canbe accessed through the Senior ordesignated Norfolk SouthernRepresentative at the scene.
Norfolk Southern Hazmat Emergency Response Plan Section 4. Response
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4.5 External Response Resources
There are several private andgovernmental organizations capable ofproviding emergency responseassistance in the event of emergenciesinvolving hazardous materials. Theseorganizations include:
" Association of American Railroads,Bureau of Explosives(202-639-2100);
" CHEMTREC (1-800-424-9300);
" U.S. Coast GuardNational Response Center(1-800-424-8802);
" Federal Railroad Administration(1-800-RAIL-990);
" Nuclear Regulatory Commission(1-301-951-0550)
" Department of Energy(1-202-586-8100); and
" U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency (by region).
4.6 Local Resources
Norfolk Southern is a railtransportation company. It does notmaintain resources such as fire fightingor water supply equipment, emergencymedical personnel or medical transportservices, command posts and canteens,or large-scale communicationsequipment.
During an emergency operation,Norfolk Southern relies upon localemergency officials to provide thesetypes of resources. The senior ordesignated Norfolk Southern official willcoordinate with the local IncidentCommander to obtain these localresources. Local resources will remainunder the control of the local authority.
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4.7 Hazard Identification
Prior to entering an incident site,identification of the materials andcontainers involved is essential. Oncethe commodities have been positivelyidentified, the emergency responseinformation for the hazardous materialsinvolved can be reviewed to assist inmaking good judgements and decisionsin determining the initial responseactions required. This section addresseshow to recognize and identify hazardousmaterials, and how to use theinformation resources available.
4.7.1 Rail Car Identification
Every rail car has a unique initial andnumber painted on the top left-handcorner of each side of the car. Using thecar’s initials and number, shippers,carriers, and Norfolk Southern candetermine the tank car’s contents fromshipping papers or computer data.Exhibit 5 is a graphic depiction of thelocation of the rail car initials andnumber on a rail car (reporting marks).
Exhibit 5. Location of Rail Car Initials and Number (Reporting Marks)
ABCX 123456
ABCX 123456
.
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4.7.2 Shipping Papers
The best way to identifyhazardous materials present in a railincident is to consult the shippingpapers. For Norfolk Southern, theshipping papers are called the Waybilland/or Train Consist. The train crew isrequired to have a copy of all hazardousmaterials shipping papers in theirpossession. Generally, both the Waybilland Consist identify the contents of thecar; and the Consist identifies wherethese cars are located numerically in thetrain. If either of these documents arenot readily available from the train crew,they can be retrieved from the NorfolkSouthern mainframe computer.
Train Consist. The primary shippingpaper used by Norfolk Southern inrailroad operations is the Train Consist.The Consist lists each car in the train,beginning with the lead car. Ifhazardous materials are part of a car’sload, the Consist also lists the contentsof that car. For a hazardous materialscar, the shipping description in the TrainConsist contains the following:
! The car’s placement (numericallycounting from the front of the train);
! The initial and number of the car (aunique identifier);
! The loaded or unloaded status of thecar;
! The name of the substance beingcarried, or last carried in the car;
! The hazard class, the UnitedNations/North American (UN/NA)ID number, and Packing GroupNumber, where applicable;
! A telephone number to call in case ofemergency (i.e., CHEMTREC);
! The standard transportationcommodity code for the substancecarried; and
! The name and location for both theconsignee and the shipper.
The Consist is kept by the train’sconductor, who is responsible for addingand deleting cars from the document ascars are picked up or set off. A sampleTrain Consist is provided as Exhibit 6.
Waybill. A Waybill is the shippingdocument for a single car. A Waybillwill be made available to responders asrequired. When the train is operating onthe main line, the Consist should bereviewed for applicable hazardousmaterial information. A sample Waybillis provided as Exhibit 7.
Hazardous Material Special HandlingInstructions. In addition to Waybillsand Train Consists, the train crew is alsorequired to have a copy of theemergency response information for allthe hazardous materials contained in thetrain. Generally, in addition to the NorthAmerican Emergency ResponseGuidebook, the crew will havecommodity specific emergency responseinformation printed out at the bottom ofthe Train Consist for each hazardousmaterial in the train.
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EXHIBIT 6 Sample Train Consist
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EXHIBIT 7 Sample Waybill
l
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4.7.3 Placarding and Hazard Classes
The Code of Federal Regulations(CFR), 49 CFR Part 172, prescribes thatdiamond shaped placards must be placedon the outside of certain bulk containerrail cars carrying hazardous materials, orresidues of such materials. Placardsmust also be placed on the exterior ofsome intermodal containers carryingamounts of hazardous materials inexcess of certain regulatory thresholds.Placards can tell the responder the DOThazard class involved and thus provide ageneral idea of the hazards present andpreliminary response requirements.Keep in mind that many materialspossess characteristics of more than onehazard class, and therefore hazard classinformation should generally not be usedindependently. Please see Exhibit 8 fora listing and descriptions of the variousDOT hazard classes. Exhibit 9 providesa percentage breakdown of the totalvolume of hazardous materials carriedby Norfolk Southern in 1997 by hazardclass.
4.7.4 Shipping Containers
Some information about thecommodity being shipped may beavailable from the container type. Forexample, by determining whether a tankcar is a pressure or non-pressure tankcar, you may be able to determine if thetank contains compressed gases andpossibly even unregulated materials.Additionally, stenciling on the car mayactually describe the specific commoditycontained in the car. Please see theAAR, Bureau of Explosives, FieldGuide to Tank Car Identificationprovided in the front pocket of the Plan.
Sample DOT HazardousMaterials Placards
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Exhibit 8. UN/DOT Hazard Classes
CLASS DIVISION DEFINITION
EXPLOSIVES (1)1.1 Substances and articles, which have a mass
explosion hazard1.2 Substances and articles, which have a projection
hazard but not a mass explosion hazard1.3 Substances and articles that have a fire hazard and
either minor blast hazard or both, but not a massexplosion hazard
1.4-1.6 Other materials with explosive potentialCOMPRESSED GASES (2)Flammable Gas 2.1 Gases which ignite and burn easily
Non-Flammable Gas 2.2 Gases that may asphyxiate of can cause frostbite
Poison (Toxic) Gas 2.3 Gases which are poisonous by inhalation (PIH)[Subdivided by Hazard Zones]
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS (3)Flammable Liquid 3 Liquids with flash points below 141 0F
Combustible Liquid 3 Liquids with flash points above 141 0F
FLAMMABLE SOLIDS (4)Flammable Solids 4.1 Substances which are easily ignitable or burn
readilySpontaneously Combustible 4.2 Substances that can self-ignite on exposure to air
Dangerous When Wet 4.3 Substances that upon contact with water can eitherbecome spontaneously combustible, or can give offflammable or toxic gases
OXIDIZERS (5)Oxidizer 5.1 Substances that will react to support combustion
even in the absence of airOrganic Peroxide 5.2 Substances sensitive to heat, shock, and friction, or
may decompose and self-ignitePOISONS (6)Poison (Liquid or Solid) 6.1 Materials toxic enough to create a health hazard
(other than zone A)Poison (Inhalation Hazard) 6.1 Poison liquids or solids, PIH, Hazard Zone A
Keep Away Form Foodstuffs 6.1 Materials that give off dangerous or irritating fumes
Infectious Substances 6.2 Infectious substances and regulated medical wastes
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS (7)7 Substances which emit ionizing radiation
CORROSIVE MATERIALS (8)8 Substances which corrode steel and damage tissue
MISCELLANEOUS HAZARDS (9)9 Hazardous substances that do not meet the
definition of any other hazard class
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Exhibit 9. Distribution of Hazardous Commodities Transported by NorfolkSouthern in 1997, by Hazard Classes
2.1 Flammable Gas7%
2.2 Non-Flammable Gas6%
2.3 Poison Gas4%
3 Flammable Liquids15%
3 Combustible Liquids2%
4.1-4.3 Flammable Solids2%
5.1-5.2 Oxidizers4%
6.1-6.2 Poisons2%8 Corrosives
25%
9 Misc. Hazards15%
Other18%
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4.8 Emergency ResponseInformation Resources
In addition to the alreadyidentified methods for HazardIdentification, there are several otherresources available for obtainingemergency response information andprocedures.
Shipper 24-hr Contact Number orCHEMTREC. The shipper can bereached through the 24-hour EmergencyContact Number required on allhazardous material shipping documents.CHEMTREC can also be contacted forspecific chemical response information,and is often listed as the shipper 24-houremergency number. The shipper orCHEMTREC can fax a copy of theMaterial Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) andprovide advice about how to handle theproduct.
North American Emergency ResponseGuidebook. The North AmericanEmergency Response Guidebookcontains general emergency responseinformation for hazardous materials. Touse the guides (orange pages), you mustknow either the DOT 4-digitIdentification Number (yellow pages),the Proper Shipping Name (blue pages),or the Placard affixed to the car. TheNorth American Emergency ResponseGuidebook also contains initial isolationand protective action distances (greenpages) for some commodities.
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Operation Respond. On-sceneresponders with access to “OperationRespond Emergency InformationSystem (OREIS)” software may use thissystem to obtain product informationabout the contents of a particular car.This software may be installed in localemergency communication centers,mobile command posts, or withhazardous materials units. It provideslocal responders with quick access to the
Norfolk Southern computer for specificdata on the products carried in hazardousmaterial cars, and the emergencyresponse information for the product.Local responders will need the initialand number of the rail car(s) at risk tosearch for this information on NorfolkSouthern’s computer system.Remember—These reporting marks arefound on the upper left corner of the railcar.
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5.0 POPULATIONPROTECTION
In the event of a rail incident,protection of life and health must be thefirst concern. In cases of doubt thesafest course of action must be taken.However, decisions to evacuatepotentially affected populations must bebased upon facts and not fears.
Key factors in deciding upon anevacuation must include situational,location, and resource factors:
Situational factors include:
! Actual situation and conditions (leak,fire, spill);
! The products involved (physical andchemical properties);
! Hazards of the products;! Status of the containers; and! Ability of the products to migrate off
site.
Location factors include:
! Location of the incident andcontainers;
! Size of affected population;! Risks of moving people;! Types of affected population; and! Ability to shelter in place non-
ambulatory populations. Resource factors include:
! Ability to shelter evacuatedpopulations; and
! Ability to notify and move theaffected population.
5.1 Pre-Emergency Identificationof At-Risk Populations
During the tactical pre-emergency planning process, facilitiessuch as schools, day cares, hospitals,nursing homes, and high riseoccupancies should be identified. Localemergency response officials shouldmeet with facility managers and reviewproblems expected with an evacuation,as well as the resources needed to movethe facility population.
Norfolk Southern recommendsadoption of the Shelter in Placeguidelines issued by the U.S.Department of Transportation (in the1996 North American EmergencyResponse Guidebook); the FederalEmergency Management Agency; andthe U.S. EPA. Shelter in place tacticscan provide greater safety and healthprotection to affected residents thanmandatory evacuations, in certainsituations.
The key to successful Shelter inPlace operations is developing individualfacility plans with facility managers andsafety personnel. Instructing residentswhat to do and not to do in the event ofan emergency and communicatinginformation to them during anemergency are all-important componentsof a shelter in place plan.
5.2 Recommended Practices forShelter in Place PopulationProtection
The purpose of sheltering in placeis to protect people from the affects of anatural disaster or to prevent peoplefrom being exposed to a hazard from an
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industrial or transportation-relatedchemical release. The following stepsrepresent recommended practices forsheltering in place as recommended bythe U.S. Department of Transportationand other agencies1.
1. Remain calm.
2. If you are outdoors, gather yourfamily members and pets and goinside immediately. If you are in acar, close windows and vents.
3. In the event of a chemicalemergency, try to make yourbuilding airtight so that outside aircannot enter. For example:
• Close all doors to the outside andclose and lock all windows.
• Building superintendents shouldset all ventilation systems to 100%recirculation so that no outside airis drawn in to the structure. Wherethis is not possible, ventilationsystems should be turned off.
• Turn off all heating systems.
• Turn off all air conditioners andswitch inlets to the “closed”position.
• Seal gaps under doorways andwindows with wet towels and ducttape.
• Seal gaps around windows and air-conditioning units, bathroom andkitchen exhaust fans, and stove anddryer vents with duct tape andplastic sheeting , wax paper oraluminum foil.
• Turn off all exhaust fans inkitchens, bathrooms and otherspaces.
• Close all fireplace dampers.
• Close as many internal doors aspossible.
• Minimize use of elevators inbuildings, as these tend to “pump”outside air in and out of a buildingas they travel up and down.
4. Move to an interior room (orhallway) with no windows or doorsto the outside. You may want tobring a cooler with drinks andsnacks, a battery-powered flashlight,and a battery-powered radio into theplace that you have chosen.
5. If an explosion is possible, closedrapes, curtains and shades overwindows. Stay away from externalwindows to prevent potential harmfrom flying glass.
6. Stay indoors until you receiveofficial notice it is safe to go out oruntil you are asked to leave the area.Tune into the EmergencyBroadcasting System (EBS) on theradio or television for furtherinformation and guidance.
It is vital to maintaincommunications with competent personssheltering inside buildings to advisethem about changing conditions.1Sources:
(a) Preparedness of Hazardous MaterialsEmergencies in Railyards: Guidance forRailroads and Adjacent Communities,Federal Emergency Management Agency,September 1991.
(b) 1996 North American Emergency ResponseGuidebook, U.S. Department ofTransportation, 1996.
(c) FEMA Fact Sheet: Hazardous MaterialsAccidents (http://www.fema.gov)