Regulations, Standards, and Laws

Flashcards about regulations, standards, and laws related to hazardous materials and weapons of mass destruction.

Emergency Response Plan

A plan outlining procedures for responding to emergencies.

Hazard Materials

Materials posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, or the environment.

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Any weapon or material designed to cause death, serious injury, or damage to buildings, infrastructure, or the environment.

Regulations

Government-issued & enforced mandates.

Standards

Consensus-based guidelines issued from non-governmental entities.

Strategy

A general course of action, direction, or plan to accomplish incident objectives

HAZWOPER

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response; OSHA Federal Document for HM response competencies (levels)

Nonintervention Mode

A mode where responders don’t operate near the hazardous materials container and focus efforts on public protection actions only.

Defensive Mode

A mode where direct contact with the material or container is avoided, and efforts are focused on controlling or limiting the effects of a release.

Offensive Mode

A mode where responders have direct contact with the material or container and take aggressive action to control the release.

Role of Awareness-Level Personnel

Protect themselves, secure the scene, and call for trained responders

Operations-Level Responders

Take Actions to Protect people, environment, and property, work under direct supervision of a Hazmat Technician, and operate defensively.

Technician Level Personnel

Supervise Operations Level responders, Stop the release (Ex. - plug or patch containers), and Operate with advanced decision-making skills.

Incident Commander (IC)

Responsible for all incident activities, Develops strategies and tactics, and Orders and releases resources

Department of Transportation (DOT)

Publicizes and Enforces laws governing transportation of goods

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Protects the Environment

Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA)

Established a method for local communities to understand and prepare for chemical hazards and Led to creation of EPCRA.

Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)

Requires businesses handling chemicals to report chemical type, quantity, and storage. Reports submitted via Tier II forms to local fire departments.

Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

Collects and shares hazardous material info with the public, industry, and fire departments.

State Emergency Response Commission (SERC)

Serves as the liaison between local and state levels of authority for emergency planning.

Target Hazards

Occupancies or Facilities with high risk of life loss or community impact (e.g., fire, explosion, chemical release)