CH 50 Hazardous Materials

What is a hazardous material (hazmat)?

Any substance or material capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, or the environment when transported, used incorrectly, or not properly contained or stored.

Which organizations create regulations for hazardous materials?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Transportation (DOT), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What does HAZWOPER stand for?

HAZardous Waste OPerations and Emergency Response.

What are the HAZWOPER training levels?

Awareness, Operations, Technician, Specialist, Incident Commander.

What should individuals at the awareness level of HAZWOPER be able to do?

Understand what hazardous substances are, recognize their presence, identify them, and understand their role in the response plan.

What is the importance of consensus-based standards in hazmat response?

They help guide responders and ensure all personnel receive appropriate response training.

What should paramedics rely on during a hazmat incident?

Training and reference sources.

What types of incidents may involve hazardous materials?

Highway or railroad incidents with leaking substances, leaks from underground natural gas pipes, and buildup of methane in sewers or landfills.

What are warning signs of hazardous materials at a scene?

Signs and symptoms from victims, placards, labels, visible clouds or strange smoke, and unusual odors.

What should you do if you suspect a hazmat presence at a scene?

Maintain a high index of suspicion and follow proper safety measures.

What information is crucial when calling for additional resources at a hazmat scene?

Provide as much information as possible and do not reenter the area until cleared by a hazmat team.

What types of information can help identify a hazmat incident?

Observations, reports from bystanders, signs and symptoms of victims, labels, placards, shipping papers, and safety data sheets.

What is the purpose of the DOT's Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)?

It provides information on specific properties of hazards, placard meanings, and recommended isolation distances.

What are the DOT chemical families?

Class 1: explosives, Class 2: gases, Class 3: flammable liquids, Class 4: flammable solids, Class 5: oxidizing substances, Class 6: toxic substances, Class 7: radioactive materials, Class 8: corrosive substances, Class 9: miscellaneous.

What does the US DOT marking system include?

Labels, placards, and markings to identify hazardous materials.

Where are placards placed on vehicles?

On all four sides of vehicles to identify a broad hazard class.

What do labels indicate on smaller packages?

They refer to the potential hazard in that particular box.

Are all chemical shipments marked?

No, not all chemical shipments are marked.

What should you do if you do not recognize a danger until too close?

Leave the danger zone immediately.

What are some signs of respiratory distress in victims?

Collapse, unconsciousness, or difficulty breathing.

What is the role of personal protective equipment (PPE) in hazmat incidents?

To protect responders from exposure to hazardous materials.

What is the significance of shipping papers in hazmat incidents?

They provide essential information about the hazardous materials being transported.

What should responders do if they identify a leak or spill?

Isolate the hazardous area and follow safety protocols.

What is a visible sign of a hazardous material leak?

A visible cloud or strange-looking smoke or vapor.

What is the first step in scene size-up during a hazmat incident?

Ensure your own safety.

What does it mean to have a high index of suspicion?

To be alert and cautious about potential hazards in the environment.

What is the recommended action if multiple victims are affected at a scene?

Suspect the presence of hazardous materials.

What documents can identify hazmat in transport?

Bill of lading, waybill, dangerous cargo manifest, air bill.

What is CHEMTREC?

A service with an extensive database of chemical information for hazmat incidents.

What information should you have ready when calling CHEMTREC?

Chemical(s) involved, location of the incident, container type, rail car or vehicle markings.

What characterizes the fixed-facility marking system?

A placard with a set of diamonds colored to indicate specific hazards.

What are bulk storage vessels used for?

To store large amounts of a particular chemical.

What is secondary containment?

A method to control spills in bulk storage.

What types of tanks can bulk storage vessels include?

Large-volume horizontal tanks, above-ground storage tanks, underground storage tanks.

What are totes in the context of bulk storage?

Portable plastic tanks that hold 119 to 703 gallons of any type of chemical.

What is an intermodal tank?

A tank that holds 5,000 to 6,000 gallons, used for transporting chemicals.

What are nonbulk storage vessels?

Containers like drums, bags, carboys, and cylinders that store smaller quantities of substances.

What is the capacity range for carboys?

5 to 15 gallons.

What is a cargo tank in hazmat transport?

A bulk package that may be permanently attached to a vehicle.

What is an MC-306/DOT 406 tanker used for?

To transport flammable liquids, holding between 6,000 and 10,000 gallons.

What distinguishes an MC-307/DOT 407 chemical hauler?

It holds 6,000 to 7,000 gallons and may be insulated or uninsulated.

What is the purpose of an MC-312/DOT 412 corrosive tanker?

To transport corrosive materials, operating at 15 to 25 psi.

What does an MC-331 pressure cargo tanker hold?

1,000 to 11,000 gallons and operates at 300 psi.

What is the function of an MC-338 cryogenic tanker?

To transport low-pressure materials while maintaining low temperatures.

What are tube trailers used for?

To carry compressed gases, made up of individual cylinders operating at 3,000 to 5,000 psi.

What do dry bulk cargo tanks carry?

Dry bulk goods, typically not pressurized and usually V-shaped.

What are the steps to establish safety zones at a hazmat incident?

Protect yourself, isolate the incident, notify the dispatcher, inform incoming responders.

What are the three zones established by hazmat specialists?

Hot zone, warm zone, cold zone.

What section of the ERG provides resources on evacuation distances?

The green section

What equipment do hazmat teams use to determine explosive limits?

Air-monitoring equipment

Which gas concentration can hazmat teams measure?

Concentration of hydrogen sulfide

What program helps predict downwind concentrations of hazmat?

Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO)

What is the highest level of protective clothing?

Level A ensemble

What does Level A ensemble provide?

The greatest respiratory and skin protection

When is Level B ensemble used?

When a high level of respiratory protection is needed without skin absorption threat

What is the purpose of Level C ensemble?

To protect against a known substance with an air-purifying respirator

When is Level D ensemble worn?

When there is little to no threat posed by the substance

What does OSHA's HAZWOPER regulation provide guidance on?

Which level of chemical protection to use and conditions for choosing them

What are the two types of contamination?

Primary contamination and secondary contamination

What is primary contamination?

Direct exposure to hazmat

What is secondary contamination?

Hazmat transferred from a person or contaminated object

What are the four primary methods of entry for hazardous materials?

Ingestion, inhalation, injection, absorption

What is a local effect of exposure?

Reddening of skin, localized pain, blisters

What is a systemic effect of exposure?

Damage occurs inside the body

What records should be included after a hazmat incident?

Elements required by AHJ, scene description, patient appearance, treatment rendered

What does the dose effect principle state?

The greater the time or concentration of material, the greater the effect on the body

What is vapor pressure?

The amount of pressure between the top of the liquid and its container

What does vapor density compare?

The density of hazmat gas to air

What happens if a gas is heavier than air?

It will sink

What is the flash point of a liquid?

The temperature at which it gives off sufficient vapors for a flash fire

What is ignition temperature?

The temperature at which liquid fuel will ignite without an external ignition source.

What defines the flammable range?

It is defined by upper and lower limits, known as the upper flammable limit (UFL) and lower flammable limit (LFL).

What is specific gravity in the context of hazmat?

Specific gravity must be determined when applying water to a chemical; it determines whether a hazmat will sink or float in water.

What does TLV stand for in toxicology?

Threshold Limit Value, which indicates the concentration a person can be exposed to for a 40-hour workweek over a typical 30-year career.

What is STEL?

Short-term exposure limit, which is the concentration a person can be exposed to for a limited number of brief time periods.

What is a lethal dose (LD)?

A single dose that causes the death of a specified number of test animals.

What is a lethal concentration (LC)?

The concentration in air that is expected to kill a specified number of test animals exposed by any route other than inhalation.

What does IDLH stand for?

Immediately dangerous to life and health, referring to an atmospheric concentration of a substance that poses an immediate threat to life.

What is the highest priority in a hazmat situation?

Decontamination is the highest priority when a substance poses an unacceptable risk to responders.

What factors determine the method of decontamination?

The type of hazmat, stability of the scene, and the number, condition, and location of patients.

What are the four types of decontamination methods?

Dilution, absorption, neutralization, and disposal.

What is emergency decontamination?

Involves quickly and completely removing the bulk of contaminants from a person.

What is a decontamination corridor?

A setup where patients disrobe on one end and enter single file through a fog-stream shower between two fire engines.

What is technical decontamination?

A thorough cleaning process used by responders to clean PPE, tools, and equipment.

What should be minimized when treating patients exposed to hazmat?

Invasive procedures should be minimized.

What are corrosives?

Chemicals that include acids and bases, which can cause severe burns to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.

What are solvents?

Substances that can be liquids, solids, or gases, capable of dissolving other substances and may give off potent vapors.

What can solvents metabolize into?

Other toxic substances once absorbed by the body.

What are chemical asphyxiants?

Substances that interfere with the use of oxygen at the cellular level.

What is the treatment for cyanide exposure in non-smoke inhalation patients?

Amyl nitrate ampules and IV administration of sodium nitrate, followed by sodium thiosulfate.

What is the treatment for carbon monoxide exposure?

Removal of the patient from the source and administration of 100% supplemental oxygen.

What are toxic products of combustion?

Hazardous chemical compounds released when a material decomposes under heat.

What are common toxic substances found in smoke?

Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, cyanide compounds, and many oxides of nitrogen.

What precautions should be taken during patient transportation in hazmat cases?

Do not assume patients are completely decontaminated, wear appropriate PPE, and ensure sufficient decontamination has occurred.

What should be documented during medical monitoring of hazmat teams?

Hazmat involved, toxic effects, PPE worn, PPE's resistance to permeability, and type of decontamination.

What assessments should be performed on hazmat team members before reentry?

Hydration status, vital signs, symptoms for potential exposure, and a neurologic assessment.