Operational challenges


FOCUS


New approach


A major difference in the new hazmat guidance for fire and rescue services is the change in the way that dangerous goods are classified. Previously, the nine UN classes (also known as the ‘transport classes’) were used. This was a basic system for the transport of dangerous goods designed to reduce the risk of serious incidents involving such goods and the impact of any incidents that might occur. The project board responsible for


developing the new guidance made a fundamental decision to move away from the nine transport classes and use the UN Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) instead. GHS is not a new system; the international mandate that provided the impetus for completing this work was adopted in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. It is a universal system for identifying chemicals and communicating their hazards.


The change will simplify the approach to hazmat response, and ensure that all hazards are considered, including a number relating to health previously overlooked. The GHS is divided into three areas, and the physical hazards are subdivided into 16 areas from explosives to flammable liquids, from gases under pressure to organic peroxides. The health list is slightly shorter, with ten subdivisions ranging from acute toxicity to aspiration hazards. Finally, the environmental hazards


are divided into two only: hazards to the aquatic environment and those to the ozone layer (these have already been covered in the published Environmental Protection National Operational Guidance). However, our guidance focuses on the different hazards presented to firefighters at an incident.


New structure


Hazardous materials guidance for the fire and rescue service in the UK comprises several separate but linked documents.


www.frmjournal.com APRIL 2018


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