Friday, March 13th Event It Was a Great Day

1
Friday, March 13th Event It Was a Great Day!

• Leslie Miller and John Phillips
• Biodesign Institute Safety

2
Picric Acid Removal

• March 13, 2009
• From the cradle at The Biodesign Institute to
  the grave at the Mesa Police Department firing
  range.

3
Picric Acid

• Containers found
• One 4L capped bottle with crystals in neck region
  and on the bottom
• One dessicator with crystals
• One large zip-loc baggie with covered weigh
  boat with crystals
• Estimated amount 10-20 grams

4
How? What? When? .

• Former researcher left behind in locked cabinet
  inside chemical storage room
• Discovered by Safety staff and secured area March
  2
• Notified ASU EHS who attempted to use state
  approved, outside contractor to do removal but
  they refused on March 4
• Only option known to ASU EHS was to contact ASU
  PD who contacted Tempe PD on March 5
• Since area and chemical was secured, this process
  was not done as an emergency, but instead with
  much diligence and preparation

5
Notification

• ASU EHS notified throughout process along with
  other ASU staff including
• ASU Risk Management
• University Fire Marshall
• Environmental Affairs/Hazardous Waste Manager
• University Administration
• ASU Police
• Biodesign Administration notified throughout
  process
• Biodesign Media (Kimberly Ovitt and Joe
  Caspermeyer) handled prepared statements for
  press and for Biodesign staff. They also
  contacted ASU Public Relations Department

6
What happened

• B lower level to dock area secured
• A Building lower level completely evacuated and
  secured
• Operation controlled by Tempe FD, Tempe and DPS
  Bomb Squad, with assistance by ATF, ADEQ, Tempe
  EHS until completion and premises cleared

7
Timeline

• 0800 to 0830 Set up by all participants, street
  blocked, bomb squad assembled, rescue team in
  place, and staged supplies into AL1-79.
  Confirmation of evacuation
• 0830 to 0845 - Tempe FD deployed personnel with
  pre-placement of equipment/hoses and secondary
  rescue team in full gear
• 0845 to 0915 Tempe bomb squad personnel moved
  product into frag bags Soak time
  stabilization process Movement to Total
  Containment Vessel pre-staged in loading dock
• 0915 to 0920 Left property to disposal site
  and all clear given

8
What went well

• Initial recognition of chemical and potential
  hazards by safety staff
• Ability to secure room from unauthorized entry
• Time-line kept on schedule
• No adverse media attention
• No personnel injured
• No structural damage
• Excellent coordination of emergency responders
• Chemical inventory and RPI was current

9
Identified areas for improvement

• ASU EHS investigating alternate strategy for
  handling of future incidents open communication
  and dialogue with ASU PD and outside agencies
• Required Fire Department inspection of building
  equipment up-to-date? (pumps, connections,
  sprinklers, fire extinguishers, etc.)
• Review of inventory when researcher leaves or
  discontinues project? Check-in, check-out policy
  review
• ASU EHS reemphasizing the need to require
  complete chemical inventory and have current RPI
  information posted

10
Continued..

• Continue staff education with emphasis on
• Hazards of chemicals and storage requirements
• Proper labeling of secondary containers of
  chemicals
• Waste disposal protocols
• Maintain open communication with staff and
  notification of concerns
• Verify facts before communicating with anyone!

11
Photos..
12
Good shots!
13
The Blast.
14
.. Cradle to Grave..ADEQ happy! We
recycle.glass to sand