Operational challenges
final publication of all the hazmat guidance and to talk about these new arrangements at the next NCEC conference, which takes place on 23 and 24 May in Stratford upon Avon. We also worked closely with the Environment Agency (EA). The EA is a long standing partner of the fire and rescue service, and our history of close collaboration really benefitted this work. The EA was instrumental in assisting and advising us through membership of the project board. In fact, I would even say that their assistance with hazmat guidance has helped it become some of the very best guidance.
Maintaining the guidance
As the project executive, I have worked with a very dedicated and knowledgeable team. It is a real achievement to deliver a modern set of guidance to underpin the hazmat capability of the fire and rescue service, which is the result of the project team’s hard work. The project manager, Fay Pisani, is part of the NOG programme team, but we worked with representatives from many fire and rescue services. It is this collaborative approach that makes the guidance – and in fact all of the guidance – such a rich resource, reflecting best practice from across the fire sector. Going forward, this guidance, in common with the other 20 areas of guidance, will be looked after by a new organisation called the Central Programme Office (CPO). The CPO is one of three hubs supporting the delivery of the NFCC strategy. Under these new arrangements, the guidance will be maintained through a systematic and rigorous review process that links learning, training and guidance in a virtuous circle of improvement. After all, the purpose of the guidance was to ensure firefighter and public safety, and this won’t end because the NOG programme has completed its work. And this will not be the end of my involvement.
I am keen to set up a permanent forum for the review of the guidance and for discussion of policy and other operational matters relevant to hazmat. This will come under the aegis of the NFCC National Operations Committee.
Finding out more
We know specialist hazmat advisors are aware of the GHS approach, but for many non specialists it is not that well known, so communicating the change has been a big part of our work. The programme has created two short animations that explain these changes and how they help firefighters plan for and respond to incidents involving hazardous materials (see links to right).
1. Hazmat – Changes to the structure of hazardous materials guidance –
https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=C5ATVaZ6Tvc&list=PLqXGIWZ gnwy-qBbegMpyrchPvOjCpjwH2
2. United Nations Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =vxKFQwOB6GM&list=PLqXGIWZgnwy- qBbegMpyrchPvOjCpjwH2&index=2
www.frmjournal.com APRIL 2018 27
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The first animation is a short introduction
to the changes that explains the history, and is an accessible view for non experts. It simplifies the hazards and control measures for firefighters. The second animation focuses on the GHS.
It has been a long journey but well
worth it, and to all those who have an interest, I would recommend that they read our work. We are encouraging people to visit
ukfrs.com and look at the activity area of our guidance to find out more on the subject of hazmat
Dave Walton is deputy chief fire officer for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. For more information, view page 5
Further information on hazmat guidance is available via the following links:
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