CLASSROOM sESSION

Synopsis

"What to do before hazmat arrives on scene"

This Presentation will focus on various aspects of Responding to Hazmat Incidents such as

Site Management & Control

Determine a safe approach to go in and take charge of the impacted site. Evacuate any remaining persons and cordon off the perimeter of the hazard zone. Create a secure staging area for rescuers and other responders who have been alerted to the situation.

Identifying the Problem

Understand what materials are on site and look for any breaches to containment. Determine where the hazard is emanating from and if it can be controlled. Predict what could occur next based on the nature of the materials, their location, and proximity to workers or the general public.

Hazard & Risk Evaluation

Evaluate the ongoing risk of the spill or leakage including the potential for fire or explosion. Assess any physical symptoms being experienced by individuals who were at the location when the hazard first emerged. This can tell you a lot about the material involved. For example, headaches could be evidence of carbon monoxide. Coupled with a sweet odour, the culprit could be benzene or hydrocarbons. Burning eyes and throat indicate acids of some kind, while a euphoric feeling can point to ketones.

Protective Clothing & Equipment

Closer investigation of any hazardous materials breach requires the use of proper protective gear and equipment. This can include everything from a positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus to a full coverage HAZMAT suit. Monitoring equipment should also be deployed to gauge air quality, radioactivity levels and other environmental quality measures. Thermal imaging cameras and infrared thermometers can also be helpful in scanning a larger area for contaminants.

Information Management & Resource Coordination

Information sharing is critical, both within the organization and with external sources including news media. All available resources should also be mobilized to help keep the hazard area protected from entry by outside parties. Depending on the type of hazard, this area could span up to a 1/3-mile radius. Meanwhile, response teams will need to be directed to the site and given all available information to take the proper actions.

Implementing Response Objectives

Continue to evolve your plan of action based on the knowledge you have gained to this point, and the type of resources available to you. Implement your plan in accordance with local emergency response plans and standard operating procedures for your workplace. Ensure that all measures are being taken to ensure safety while also getting the hazardous materials under control.

Decontamination

The speed and intensity of your decontamination efforts will depend on the severity of the situation. If the hazard is not life-threatening, you can take the time to set up a formal decon station. If, however, lives are in peril, do not wait to begin decon efforts. Cut any clothing away from the affected persons and hose them down immediately, doing your best to contain hazardous run-off from the water.

and more!

Bio

15 years with Irving Oil as Team Leader, Manager, Field Specialist, Project Specialist and Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator. Past 2 years with RST as Emergency Response Manager, 8yrs Hazmat Technician with Response Team for RST; 6 years as Technical and Remedial Measures Advisor for Emergency Response Assistance Canada; ERAC's LPG Firefighting Awareness Certified; International Association of Fire Chiefs Ethanol Emergency Response and Propane Emergencies Certification; Transport Canada Qualified Rail Conductor/- Yard Planner with New Brunswick Southern Rail and Eastern Maine Railway Company, Canadian National Contractor Safety Program Certi- fied; Railway Association of Canada Railway Emergency Response Qualified; Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Accident Investigation Certified.