HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

1
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

• Annual Refresher Training
• Updated January, 2012

Firefighters save lives Training saves
firefighters
2
DIRECTIONS

• Review this power point and then follow the link
  at the end to complete the test. You will not
  receive credit for this drill if the test is not
  completed.

3
Topics to be discussed

• Introduction to hazardous materials
• NFPA hazmat regulations
• Accessing hazmat information
• DOT Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
• Fire Department response to hazmat calls

4
Introduction to Hazmat

• Prior to the 1940s most commonly recorded
  disasters were linked to uncontrollable natural
  events likes floods, fires and earthquakes.
• Modern society has now also been confronted with
  unnatural calamities associated with a variety of
  chemical, petroleum and nuclear products.
• These products are collectively referred to as
  hazardous materials.

5
Examples of common hazardous materials

• Plastics
• Rubber
• Paints
• Fertilizers
• Pesticides
• Solvents
• Detergents
• Fuels
• Medicines

6

• Humans depend heavily upon these items for our
  own comfort, enjoyment and survival.
• However, when these products become involved in
  fires or other emergency incidents they can
  create massive amounts of damage.
• This could result in human harm or death.
• It is the job of the fire service to understand
  how to deal with these hazardous materials in
  order to reduce community damages and fatalities.

7
General characteristics of Hazardous Materials

• A hazardous material is any substance or
  combination of substances that is potentially
  damaging to health, well-being, or the
  environment.
• There are seven general classes of hazmats
• Flammable materials
• Spontaneously ignitable materials
• Explosives
• Oxidizers
• Corrosive materials
• Toxic materials
• Radioactive materials

8
Flammable Materials

• These are solid, liquid, vapor or gaseous
  materials that ignite easily and burn rapidly
  when exposed to an ignition source
• Examples include
• Commercial solvents (like toluene and ethanol)
• Dusts (like flour and finely dispersed powders of
  aluminum or other metals)
• Fuels (like gasoline and natural gas)

9
Spontaneously Ignitable Materials

• Solid or liquid materials that ignite
  spontaneously without an exposure to an ignition
  source.
• Examples include
• White phosphorus
• Aluminum alkyl compounds

10
Explosives

• Chemical substances that detonate.
• Detonation is usually initiated by a shock or the
  localized concentration of heat.
• Examples include
• Dynamite
• TNT (trinitrotoluene)

11
Oxidizers

• Substances that generate oxygen at room
  temperature, or when exposed to heat.
• This can result in a fire or explosion.
• Examples include
• Ammonium nitrate
• Dibenzoyl peroxide

12
Corrosive Materials

• Solid or liquid materials that burn or otherwise
  damage skin tissue at the site of contact.
• Examples include
• Battery acids

13
Toxic Materials

• Substances that cause adverse health effects or
  death in individuals who are exposed to
  relatively small doses.
• Examples include
• Carbon monoxide

14
Radioactive Materials

• Substances that emit radiation.
• When exposed to radiation it may result in
  adverse health effects or death.
• Examples include
• Uranium

15
NFPA Hazmat Regulations

• The NFPA has developed a system for rapidly
  identifying potentially hazardous materials.
• This system is called the NFPA 704 Hazmat Marking
  System, and uses a combination of colors and
  numbers to inform first responders of the
  potential dangers of various hazardous materials.
• Facilities that transport, store, or use
  hazardous materials in their daily operations are
  required to place placards on all shipping and
  storage containers that contain hazardous
  materials.

16
NFPA 704 Hazmat Marking System
17
NFPA 704

• This system is a diamond placard that is broken
  down into 4 quadrants.
• Each quadrant is a different color, representing
  different hazards that are associated with any
  specific chemical.
• Inside each quadrant is a number from 0-4,
  signifying the severity of that hazard.
• 0 means no hazard and 4 means maximum hazard

18
NFPA 704

• The diamond on the left side is colored blue,
  representing a chemicals health hazard.
• 0 materials that on exposure would offer no
  hazard beyond that of an ordinary combustible
  material
• 1 materials that on exposure would cause
  irritation but only minor residual injury, even
  if no treatment was given
• 2 materials that on intense or continued
  exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or
  possible residual injury, unless prompt medical
  treatment was given
• 3 materials that on short exposure could cause
  serious temporary or residual injury, even though
  prompt medical treatment was given
• 4 materials that on very short exposure could
  cause death or major residual injury, even though
  prompt medical treatment was given

19
NFPA 704

• The diamond on the top is colored red,
  representing the chemicals fire hazard.
• 0 materials that will not burn
• 1 materials that must be preheated before
  ignition can occur
• 2 materials that must be moderately heated or
  exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures
  before ignition can occur
• 3 liquids and solids that can be ignited under
  almost all ambient temperature conditions
• 4 materials that will rapidly or completely
  vaporize at atmospheric pressure and normal
  ambient temperature, or that are readily
  dispersed in air, and will burn readily

20
NFPA 704

• The diamond on the right is colored yellow,
  representing the chemicals reactivity hazard.
• 0 materials that by themselves are normally
  stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and
  which are not reactive with water
• 1 materials that by themselves are normally
  stable, but which can become unstable at elevated
  temperatures and pressures or which may react
  with water with some release of energy, but not
  violently
• 2 materials that by themselves are normally
  unstable and readily undergo violent chemical
  change, but do not detonate. Also, materials that
  may react violently with water or may form
  potentially explosive mixtures with water

21
Reactivity Hazard, cont

• 3 materials that by themselves are capable of
  detonation or explosive reaction but require a
  strong initiating source or that must be heated
  under confinement before initiation, also may
  react explosively with water
• 4 materials that by themselves are readily
  capable of detonation or explosive decomposition
  or reaction at normal temperatures and pressures

22
NFPA 704

• The diamond on the bottom is colored white, and
  may have different symbols inside of it,
  representing different hazards associated with
  that chemical
• No symbol means there are no additional threats
  to worry about
• A three bladed propeller means that the chemical
  has a radiation hazard
• The letter W with a line drawn through it is
  advising not to apply water to the chemical
• The letters OXY indicate that the material is
  an oxidizer (it will help other things burn)

23
NFPA 704

• Remember, even though this marking system is very
  helpful for initially determining what types of
  hazards a specific chemical has, it does not tell
  you the name of the chemical or any more detailed
  information.
• Whenever there is a hazmat incident, you must use
  all resources available to you to determine the
  exact chemical and all of its hazards.

24
Where else can you find information about a
chemical?

• If the hazmat incident is at a building, often
  times there is a manager or other employee who
  can tell you exactly what you are dealing with,
  and how much of the material is involved.
• If the incident has happened on a road, train
  track, or other travel routes, then the truck
  driver or engineer should have shipping documents
  with them. These documents can be found
• In the cab of a motor vehicle
• In the possession of a train crew member
• In a holder on the bridge of a ship
• In the possession of an aircraft pilot

25
Shipping Documents

• Shipping documents are papers that provide vital
  information about items that are being shipped.
  It includes such information as
• The materials name
• The hazard class of the material
• Material ID number
• A description of the hazards of the material and
  the proper way to mitigate an incident involving
  that material

26
Other sources of information

• Some transportation vehicles will have a placard
  with a 4 digit number on it. This number can be
  referenced in hazmat manuals to find the exact
  name and properties of a material.
• Call a 24 hour emergency response service to
  obtain updated information on how to deal with
  any type of hazardous material. Their contact
  information can be found on the inside back cover
  of your Emergency Response Guidebook. These
  companies include
• CHEMTREC
• CHEM-TEL
• INFOTRAC
• 3E COMPANY
• THE POISON CONTROL CENTER
• THE MILITARY (if involving a military shipment)

27
Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)

• This guidebook is available on every fire truck
  and ambulance operated by the Newstead Fire
  Company. Guidebooks are located in the front cab
  of each truck, near the driver. All line officers
  should also have a copy in their vehicles.
• It is primarily a guide to aid first responders
  in quickly identifying the specific or generic
  hazards of the material(s) involved in an
  incident, and protecting themselves and the
  general public during the initial phase of the
  incident.

28
ERG (cont)

• This guidebook will assist responders in making
  initial decisions upon arriving at the scene of a
  dangerous goods/ hazmat incident.
• It should not be considered as a substitute for
  emergency response training, knowledge, or sound
  judgment.
• It does not address all possible circumstances
  that might be encountered at a hazmat incident.
• It is primarily designed for use at an incident
  occurring on a highway or railroad.
• It may have only limited value at an incident in
  a fixed-facility location (example I Squared R)

29
ERG VIDEO
Click the link below to view a video about how to
use the Emergency Response Guidebook. (If the
video does not automatically open, then you will
need to click on the videos tab, then the
hazmat tab, and finally The emergency response
guidebook 2008 video .)

• http//www.iafctv.org/v/the_emergency_response_gui
  debook_2008/

30
Fire Department Response to Hazmat Calls

• When responding to an incident that may
  potentially involve hazardous materials, always
  approach cautiously from upwind (and uphill
  whenever possible). Resist the urge to rush in
  and remember that others cant be helped until
  the scene has been fully assessed.

31

• Secure the scene. Without entering the immediate
  hazard area, isolate the area and assure the
  safety of people and the environment. Keep people
  away from the scene and outside of the safety
  perimeter.
• Identify the hazards by looking for placards or
  shipping papers or by talking to people who are
  knowledgeable about the materials involved. Use
  your 3 step plan to determine what your initial
  risks might be.

32

• Assess the situation. Consider the following
• Is there a fire, spill or leak?
• What are the weather conditions?
• What is the terrain like?
• Who/what is at risk people, property, or the
  environment?
• What actions should be taken (use your 3 step
  plan)? Is an evacuation necessary? Is diking
  necessary? What resources (human and equipment)
  are required, and are they readily available?
• What can be done/needs to be done immediately to
  mitigate the situation?

33

• Obtain help. Seek assistance from the Clarence
  and Erie County Hazmat Teams.
• Decide on site entry for the hazmat team. Any
  efforts made to rescue persons, protect property
  or the environment must be weighed against the
  possibility that you could become part of the
  problem. Hazmat teams should enter the area only
  when wearing appropriate protective gear.
• Respond in an appropriate manner. Establish a
  command post and lines of communication. Rescue
  casualties if possible and evacuate if necessary.
  Maintain control of the site. Continually
  reassess the situation and modify your plans
  accordingly. Your first duty is to consider the
  safety of the people in the immediate area,
  including your own.

34

• Above all- do not walk into or touch any spilled
  material. Avoid inhalation of fumes, smoke and
  vapors. Do not assume that gases or vapors are
  harmless because of a lack of smell. Odorless
  gases or vapors may be extremely hazardous.

35

• Remember that the Newstead Fire Company is only
  at a Hazardous Materials First Responder status.
• We can use our ERG manuals to determine what
  initial actions are to be taken at an incident,
  but we are not trained to enter any hot zones. We
  can simply secure the area and ensure that all of
  the appropriate resources are on the way.
• Like at any emergency situation, accountability
  and firefighter safety are our top priorities. If
  we take all of the necessary precautions then we
  will ensure that we all go home at the end of the
  day.

36
Chemical Suicides

• A new technique for committing suicide is mixing
  together certain combinations of house hold
  chemicals and then breathing in the fumes. This
  is a quick and painless death, but creates a
  hazmat situation for first responders, as they
  too can die from breathing in these fumes.

37
Chemical Suicides
Click the link below to watch a safety video
presented by the Sarasota County Emergency
Services. While some of the info in the video is
particular to Sarasota County, keep in mind that
there have been documented cases of chemical
suicides in New York State, and that all first
responders should follow the safety guidelines
noted in the video.

• https//www.responsetechnologies.com/SCFD/H2S_suic
  ide/player.html

38
Test

• Click on the link below to access the test
  questions. You must complete this test to receive
  credit for the drill.
• http//www.surveymonkey.com/s/QHMG5HQ