RESPONSE Eight steps to safety
An initial response to a hazardous materials (HazMat) incident is typically Law Enforcement for spills and accidents, especially on roadways, or private sector industrial response personnel for plant-based accidents/incidents. This is typically followed by Fire, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and aſt er a Size Up/Assessment, Hazardous Material Response Team (HMRT) and other resources will be requested to mitigate and reduce the hazard. How do we best protect the public?
THE 8 STEP PROCESS
We must fi rst start with a tried and proven response model. Over the years, guidance and standards have changed greatly. But the most universally applied model in the US is currently the ‘8 Step Process’:
STEP 1 Site Management and Control
To manage and control personnel and resources, Command must fi rst be established, then perim- eters/work zones (Hot, Warm and Cold or Outer perimeter and isolation/exclusion zone perimeters. From here, Incident Commanders (ICs) must establish scene/incident priorities which are typically life safety, stabilizing the incident, and environmental and property protection. For the US and Canada, the Emergency Response Guide (ERG) is typically the fi rst reference to be used. Whether or not the product/agent is known, initial isolation distances can be found in the ERG, including special circumstances such as fl ame impinging on a tank, or if the spilled product is involved in fl ame. This allows rapid decisions to be made for cordoning off an isolation/exclusion zone (fi rst life safety action) while further information is gathered, and decisions are being made. For known products/agents, through identifi ca- tion of placards and UN Numbers the Yellow section can be used to identify the Response Guide in the Orange Section. Example: Gasoline has a UN Number of 1203. When you look up UN Number 1203 in the yellow section, it immediately points to Guide 128 in the Orange Section. In this Guide, you are directed to evacuate 300 m (1,000 ſt ) in all directions for a large spill (meaning more than 200 litres or more for liquid or 300 kg of solid; with the exception of select chemical warfare agents (CWAs) [listed in the back of the White section] and 800 m (½ mile) in all directions if a rail car or tank truck is involved in a fi re. It also suggests considering a full evacuation of 800 m for a tank involved with fl ame. This immediate action not only protects the
public and provides stand-off distances for respond- ers, but also gives initial responders a quick guide for traffi c control/blocking. But, this isn’t all. Depending on the situation and size up/assessment,
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ICs and fi rst responders must also consider what resources will be needed and thus how much space is needed for them on scene, and resource management and traffi c control for those resources. The best practice is to establish an off site staging area where resources will be accounted for, briefed, and organized prior to assignment on site.
STEP 2 Identify the problem
Now comes the fun part. Depending on what information can be shared or gathered, an immedi- ate 360º degree (if feasible) size up/assessment must be made to identify specifi cally what is the problem or threat. You must always keep in mind that additional threats/hazards may exist such as power lines, slope of ground, secondary HazMat products, and more. This also includes where the mechanism of release should be identifi ed when possible. For example, if a truck tank has rolled over but the hatches are secure, but there is fuel on the ground, is it a rupture or a puncture? Personnel must also determine the size of the breach in attempt to determine the potential hazards to fi rst responders and the public. Types of containers which may help to identify product specifi cs and vulnerabilities, along with location, must also be identifi ed.
STEP 3 Hazard and Risk Evaluation
Once the size-up is completed and information gathered, the Safety Offi cer and IC must work together to identify the risk level of each identifi ed threat or hazard. Once the risk is calculated, it is time to develop a plan to mitigate those risks through the implementation of countermeasures to lower the risk of associated hazards to an accept- able level. Based on this evaluation, objectives are developed in the incident action plan. Tactics will
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