Hazmat Lesson 5

The National Agricultural Chemicals Association (NACA)

has identified a group of specialists designated as the Pesticides Safety Team (PST). The team provides advice for incidents involving pesticides and will dispatch a response team to the site if one is needed.

Step 5-Drafting the Plan

Draft hazardous materials emergency plan is prepared by the LEPC, reviewed and approved by all parties assigned responsibilities under the plan, and revised to incorporate comments. Finally, the LEPC distributes and explains the plan to key emergency response and government personnel, and periodically updates it to reflect changes within the community or within its local government.

Emergency Alert System (EAS)

The radio and television Emergency Alert System can disseminate community emergency information, including where to go for additional information. This notification system requires individuals to be tuned in to the radio or television at the time of the announcement.

The success of the Hazard Communication Program (HCP)

and worker safety depends on the employees' understanding and ability to read and interpret a SDS in order to determine a chemical's physical health hazards, and the employer's commitment to the program.

The Public

Citizens should never try to approach the command post in a hazardous materials emergency; any information you wish to offer should be given by telephone from a safe distance. Observe all posted exclusion zones, and listen for public announcements on the radio or other local information system.

Public Warning and Notification Methods

Communities generally alert and notify the public as to emergency situations through one of the following methods: Warning Sirens or Horns, Emergency Alert System (EAS), "All-Call" Telephoning, Announcements Over Cable Television, and Residential Route-Alert.

Question 4

Does your community have an inspection program that deals with the transportation, on-site storage, and processing of hazardous materials?

Question 3

Does your community have, in place, written mutual aid agreements with other jurisdictions or with industry?

Question 10

Has the police department been enforcing the restriction of truckers to specific routes?

Question 11

Have sewer shut-off points been identified for the retainment of hazardous materials that may leak into sanitary and storm sewers?

Protecting Yourself in a HazMat or Terrorist Incident

If an accident involving hazardous materials occurs in your community, emergency services personnel will notify you as to what steps to take. Your best protection is to follow these directions, which are aimed at minimizing your exposure to the hazardous materials.

Evacuation

If you are asked to evacuate because of a hazardous materials emergency, do so immediately. Your local radio station or television channels should give you precise directions. Before leaving your home or office, close your windows and shut all vents to minimize contamination. If time permits, place a sign on your door or front window to notify the Public Service Department that your building has been evacuated and no one remains inside. It is also a good idea to provide a telephone number where you can be reached.

Minimizing the Risk of Skin Absorption

The skin can easily absorb many toxic materials. Since even a small amount of a chemical substance may be toxic, you should avoid contact with any spilled liquid material, mist in the air, or condensed solid chemical deposit. Keep your body fully covered—including gloves and socks—but remember that these measures are only minimally effective. Once you have left the area, you should fully disrobe, proceed through decontamination, and dress in fresh clothing.

Warning Sirens or Horns

These audible warning devices are used to attract attention and alert citizens to an emergency situation. Different tones or tone patterns may have various meanings. These devices are outdoor warning systems, and may not be heard indoors or inside vehicles.

"All-Call" Telephoning

This notification method uses an automated system to ring up area telephones and provide a recorded message when telephones are answered. Obviously, this type of notification works only for people who are within earshot of a telephone.

Avoiding Ingestion of Toxic Substances

Toxic substances can be ingested if your food or water supply becomes contaminated. If you learn that you will be sheltered indoors, quickly fill up your bathtub with a supply of uncontaminated water and turn off the intake valve to your home. Do not eat any food that could have become contaminated in an incident.

The Planning Process

Under Title III provisions, the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) decides how many planning districts are needed to prepare adequate plans for responding to chemical emergencies throughout that State. The SERC is responsible for appointing individuals to serve as LEPC members in each planning district. Each LEPC prepares a plan based on a thorough understanding of the hazards faced by the specific area and the resources it has to meet them. There are 6 steps to complete a sound plan for any emergency.

Question 2

Was there a HazMat exercise in your community during the past year?

Local firefighters and specialized hazardous materials response teams

(their capabilities enhanced through specialized training and additional resources brought in through interagency agreements) would manage the incident, as public safety personnel controlled crowds and traffic.

Local Public Health Departments

safeguards the public when food and/or water supplies may be affected or when dwellings may become contaminated.

Your local Emergency Operations Plan

should maintain a current list of contacts and telephone numbers for all potential sources of assistance. Compiling this information during an emergency can waste valuable time when the need for action is urgent.

Implementing procedures

these may be in the form of hazard-specific appendices, standard operating procedures, or checklists. They support annexes and contain technical and detailed operational information for use by emergency personnel, including such information as lists of people to alert under specified conditions, and specific "how to" instructions for operating departments or individuals to carry out assigned responsibilities.

PPE is designed

to isolate responders from the chemical, physical, and biological hazards they will encounter by protecting the respiratory system, skin, head and face (particularly the eyes), hands, feet, and body.

Never call CHEMTREC

unless a true emergency exists. It is important that telephone lines be open at all times for those who urgently need help.

The basic plan

which is a relatively broad conceptual framework describing the policy and approach to emergency operations.

Environmental scientists

would project the movement of materials and provide advice on minimizing the adverse impact on the environment.

A truly serious incident

would require representatives of all three levels of government (Federal, State, and local) to be present at the scene, with each level consisting of personnel from between 5 and 15 different agencies.

The Chlorine Institute

can provide specific technical assistance for chlorine emergencies. CHLOREP, the CHLORine Emergency Plan, provides telephone instruction to on-scene personnel in the United States and Canada, and, if necessary, can notify the nearest producer of chlorine and request that a trained team be dispatched.

A fully encapsulating chemical protective (FECP) suit

is generally the required dress for response personnel in incidents involving toxic substances. These suits are extremely bulky and cumbersome, and the SCBA provides only 30 to 45 minutes within the "Hot Zone."

A Level A suit

is often required in incidents involving toxic substances. This type of suit is extremely bulky and cumbersome. The self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) provides a limited air source, generally not more than 30 to 45 minutes of actual contact time within the "Hot Zone" or where the hazardous materials or substances have been released.

What is the minimum number of persons needed to manage a hazardous materials incident safely?

8

The most critical element in avoiding confusion and conflict among responders at a hazardous materials incident is:

A good plan which all responders know and use

Other Protective Measures

A hazardous materials incident offers opportunities for exposure by three primary routes discussed earlier in this manual: inhalation, absorption, and ingestion. The following guidance will help you minimize your exposure by these routes. This guidance is intended to supplement—not replace—information given by local emergency services personnel. Minimizing the Inhalation Hazard, Minimizing the Risk of Skin Absorption, Avoiding Ingestion of Toxic Substances, Decontamination,

The Public Works Department

may assist in containment and cleanup, if it has adequate PPE.

Medical personnel

may need to take appropriate precautions when patients and victims arrive at local and area hospitals presenting with signs and symptoms of a possible biological agent release such as smallpox or plague.

A chemist and toxicologist from the health department

may provide advice on toxicity and personnel protection, as well as recommendations to the scene manager regarding actions to be taken to reduce public health hazards.

Question 8

Are rails in the area aligned and leveled at least once a year?

Question 6

Are there established hazardous materials transportation regulations (in addition to the Federal standards) that affect your community?

A person whose skin has been in contact with a toxic substance should be:

Decontaminated

Question 12

Do all industries handling hazardous materials in the area have individual in-plant emergency plans which are compatible with a general community plan?

Question 5

Has discharger liability been formally defined in your State?

The success of any site operation and readiness of employees to respond to emergencies is based on:

Initial and annual refresher training

Local Industry

Local industries, which use or generate hazardous materials, can also be sources of assistance. In general, the larger the firm, the more likely that it will be able to provide assistance in an emergency.

Regional Response Teams (RRTs)

Regional Response Teams may be assembled to provide advice and support for transportation or fixed facility incidents that surpass the capability of State and local governments. The RRT reports to an On-Scene Coordinator who directs the response in keeping with the local Incident Commander. RRTs are composed of representatives from Federal agencies and a representative from each State within a Federal Region. Overall responsibility for coordinating Federal emergency preparedness and planning on a nationwide basis rests with the NRT, which is composed of representatives from 14 Federal agencies with major environmental, transportation, emergency management, worker safety, and public health responsibilities.

Which of the following is not typically represented on a Local Emergency Planning Committee?

The Governor

The key components of a complete local plan are the following:

The basic plan, Supporting annexes, and Implementing procedures

Question 1

Was there formal training on HazMat operational and response procedures in your community during the past year?

The following types of companies are likely to have the knowledge, equipment, or personnel to provide local-level assistance:

-Chemical companies, which often have the equipment and personnel to respond to chemical spills. -Oil refining and storage facilities, which may be able to assist at a spill of oil or gasoline. -Construction companies, which can provide heavy equipment and operators when needed. -Transportation companies, which can provide detailed information on the materials they carry, assist in evacuation, and may have trained personnel and specialized equipment. -Pollution cleanup contractors, which have specialized equipment and trained personnel. Although a fee will be charged for the services provided, professional cleanup contractors are often the best (and quickest) source of advice and physical assistance at a spill.

The training shall thoroughly cover the following information:

-Names of personnel and alternates responsible for site safety and health; -Safety, health, and other hazards present on the site; -Use of personal protective equipment; -Work practices by which the employee can minimize risks from hazards; -Safe use of engineering controls and equipment on the site; -Medical surveillance requirements, including recognition of symptoms and signs which might indicate overexposure to hazards; -Emergency procedures; and -The contents of the site safety and health plan.

Decontamination methods

-Physically remove contaminants -De-activate contaminants by chemical detoxification or disinfection/sterilization -Remove contaminants through a combination of both physical and chemical methods The manufacturer of the substance can provide information on the appropriate decontamination method to follow. Basic information should be readily available on the substance's container.

If you do call CHEMTREC, you will need to provide them with as much of the following information as is possible:

-Your name, and a number at which you can be called back -The location of the problem -The type of container involved -The product, or type of product, involved -The rail car or truck number -Local conditions -The shipper or manufacturer -The intended receiver

Liquid pools or puddles

. This might indicate poor drainage or possibly chemicals have been spilled or are leaking from the storage containers. These pools and puddles of liquids give off vapors, which could cause injury to those breathing them or to the skin if workers come in contact with these materials. Sites like the one shown in Figure 5-3 are against the law and in serious violation of local, State, and Federal regulations.

Decontamination

A person or item that has been exposed to a hazardous material is contaminated and can contaminate other people or items (i.e., cross-contamination). For example, if you enter your car after being exposed to a toxic substance, you will contaminate your car. Decontamination is the process of removing or neutralizing contaminants that have accumulated on people and equipment. At hazardous waste incidents, "clean" areas must be established and maintained, and materials in contaminated areas must be confined to specific "hot" zones. Response personnel who have had to enter the middle area—the contamination reduction zone—must later remove their clothing and equipment, shower in fresh water, be rinsed with neutralizing agents, re-shower, and change into clean clothing. The specific procedure for decontamination will vary according to the chemical to which the individual was exposed. Certain items—e.g., leather and some plastic and rubber materials—absorb toxic substances so easily that they cannot be completely decontaminated; these items must be discarded.

What You Should Do

After you have been alerted of a hazardous materials incident, you should await further information from emergency response personnel. Upon receiving this information, follow it carefully. Your primary objective is to keep your distance from the incident in order to minimize your chances of contamination.

Review Employee Training Records

All employees working onsite (such as but not limited to equipment operators, general laborers, and others) exposed to hazardous substances, health hazards, or safety hazards, and their supervisors and managers responsible for the site operations, shall receive training before they are permitted to engage in hazardous waste operations or waste handling duties that could expose them to hazardous substances, safety, or health hazards. They are also required to receive annual refresher training. Employees shall not be permitted to participate in or supervise field activities until they have been trained to a level required by their job function and responsibility.

Which of the following should you do if you are in your car and learn that there is an accident involving a volatile toxic substance ahead of you on the road?

Follow instructions and remain clear of the release plume

Hazardous Materials Response Teams (HMRTs).

An HMRT is a specialized emergency response team formed to provide the particular skills, knowledge, and technical equipment needed to handle hazardous materials incidents. The chemical industry was the first provider of these services because it manufactured, transported, and used the products involved. An HMRT would need specialized equipment, including expensive specialized protective clothing and detection instruments, containment vessel repair equipment, substance containment and recovery equipment, decontamination equipment, and instruments. Specialized groups of emergency response personnel, known as Hazardous Materials Response Teams (HMRTs), meet the need for the specific knowledge and technical equipment required to handle hazardous materials incidents.

Review Accident/Incident Reports Involving Hazardous Materials/Wastes Onsite

Another means of evaluating the effectiveness of an organization's hazardous materials and waste programs will be how often the fire department and other emergency agencies have to come to the site as a result of a chemical release or spill. Fire departments must maintain records of these incidents and what actions they took to mitigate them during their response to onsite fires, spills, and leaks of hazardous materials and waste. There may be a small cost in obtaining these incident reports, but they are well worth the expense in determining how effectively the site operations are being performed. Most fire departments will process your request for such reports without a lot of discussion. If they are unable to assist you, they can provide you the name, telephone number, and the address of someone who can help you obtain these reports.

Roles in Incident Response

Any chemical incident, or potential release, may draw firefighters, police, and emergency medical technicians to the scene. Response to a hazardous spill or fire is a complex process, requiring specially trained personnel and specialized equipment. A buddy system is needed to ensure personnel protection. A typical team would consist of approximately a minimum of eight well-equipped and trained members. Of these, two individuals perform incident operations and rescue, two others serve as operations backup, two are the Decontamination Team, and there is one safety and one operations officer.

Question 7

Are there established waste transportation regulations (in addition to the Federal standards) that affect your community?

Question 9

Are train speeds constantly monitored and violators prosecuted?

Location and Access to Company's Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

As a community partner, you should have copies or at least access to the company's SDSs to obtain types of chemicals and first aid information regarding exposures to these materials in the event of an offsite release of these products. Each company or facility that has hazardous materials/chemicals which must be handled by employees will have a SDS for each chemical or material on his or her property.

The Local Role in Incident Response

As first responders at the scene of a hazardous materials transportation spill, local firefighters and/or police typically have the lead responsibility for: -Identifying the materials involved -Determining the risk or hazard posed by the spill -Calling for additional resources, if necessary, to monitor and contain the spill -Isolating the scene, restricting or rerouting traffic, and conducting evacuation, if necessary -Providing first aid, as needed -Fighting the fire and protecting against explosions -Keeping the public informed of the hazard that exists, the actions being taken, precautionary measures to take, and evacuation routes and destinations (if necessary) -Taking overall scene management responsibilities

Emergency Response Plans

Ask your LEPC if it has an emergency response plan in place for dealing with a hazardous materials incident for your community. A place to start if they do not have an emergency response plan is the guidance provided by the National Response Team (NRT) in their document entitled: "Integrated Contingency Plan Guidance."

Tour Local Facilities

Community groups such as Neighborhood Watches, Environmental Coalitions, and Local Community Health Organizations should tour their neighborhood's chemical manufacturing and processing plants. Things to look and ask for during your site visit might include: -Location of hazardous materials/chemicals storage areas -Copies of their local Emergency Response Plans -Location and access to company's SDSs -Copies of Accident/Incident Report involving hazardous materials/chemicals onsite -Review of Health and Safety Plans -Review of employee training records

Review Local Emergency Response Plans

Each facility or plant will have its own local emergency response plan that will govern employees' actions during an upset or emergency condition. Ask to see the plan, and review it for notification requirements to the community during an emergency. Plans should incorporate evacuation and notification requirements. Ask them if their plan has been tested. That is, has it been activated through simulated emergency drills, which included all the major response agencies that are mentioned in the plan (fire department, law enforcement, hospitals, etc.)?

Should planning be limited to governmental agencies? If not, what other people, groups, or agencies mentioned in the above incidents should be part of the planning process?

Emergency planning should not be limited to governmental agencies. Other potential participants, such as private disaster relief organizations, schools, and churches, can be key players in a total community emergency plan. In the incident mentioned above, the Red Cross and Salvation Army, as well as the owner of the hardware store, should have been involved with the community planning process.

written safety and health program

Employers shall develop and implement a written safety and health program for their employees involved in hazardous waste operations or hazardous waste handling procedures. The program shall be designed to identify, evaluate, and control safety and health hazards, and to provide for emergency response for hazardous waste operations. The written safety and health program shall incorporate the following: -An organizational structure; -A comprehensive work plan; -A site-specific safety and health plan; -The safety and health training program; -The medical surveillance program; -The employer's standard operating procedures for safety and health; and -Any necessary interface between general program and site-specific activities.

Educate Other Residents

Finally, another way to enhance local emergency preparedness is to help educate other residents. Write articles for your local newspaper (or interest someone who can) about the potential for injury and death to people and great harm to the environment that can be caused by hazardous materials. Also, offer to speak to community groups, or locate effective speakers who can help the community understand the issues and correct local problems.

Caught outdoors

If you are caught outdoors during a hazardous materials incident, it is best to stay upstream, uphill, and/or upwind. Move toward a crosswind, so the wind is blowing from either the right or the left rather than directly in your face or at your back.

Minimizing the Inhalation Hazard

If you are in a motor vehicle, close off ventilation and shut your windows. As we have seen, covering your mouth and nose with a cloth provides a minimal amount of protection from contamination. The best protection is to distance yourself from the source; sightseeing at an incident of this type is an unnecessary risk to your health.

Reporting a Hazardous Materials Incident

If you witness a hazardous materials accident, spill, or leak, call 911 or your local emergency notification number as soon as possible. In rare cases in which no local emergency forces appear to be available, you can contact the NRC to report an emergency. Provide as much of the following information as possible: -The chemical involved, if known -Information on the substance's placard or label, if it is visible -Precise location of the incident -Size of the incident, in quantitative terms -Direction in which the plume is moving -Color of the smoke or spilled liquid -Altitude and movement of the plume (i.e., is the plume rising or sinking?)Number of injuries -For a transportation incident, a description of the vehicle involved (e.g., tanker or pickup truck), including any identifying marks, numbers, or placards

What Citizens Can Do to Enhance Local Preparedness

If you witness a hazardous materials accident, spill, or leak, call 911 or your local emergency notification number with precise information about the incident. As a concerned citizen, the first thing you can do is to find out how well—or poorly—your community is prepared for a hazardous materials incident.

In-Place Sheltering

In certain circumstances, it is safer to keep community residents indoors than to evacuate them. Local authorities sometimes choose this option, known as in-place sheltering, when evacuation may expose people to large doses of toxic chemicals. If you are sheltered in your own home, strictly follow all instructions given by the emergency forces. The following procedures are intended to reduce risk in most incidents where in-place sheltering is used: -To reduce the amount of toxic vapors entering your home, seal entry routes as efficiently as possible. Close windows and doors, and seal drafty places with wet towels, blankets, or tape. -Turn off all ventilation, including furnaces, air conditioners, vents, and fans. -If dangerous vapors are entering the building, take shallow breaths through a cloth or towel. (The same procedure may offer some protection from smoke in a fire.) While use of a cloth may be of value, it is important to emphasize that it is strictly a defensive measure and can provide only minimal protection. It certainly does not enable the wearer to enter a toxic environment! Portrayal of daring rescues on television using handkerchiefs for protection is erroneous and misleading, and should not be imitated. -Remain in protected areas of the house where toxic vapors are reduced, and be sure to take your radio with you.

Announcements Over Cable Television

In some communities, cable systems are hard-wired to enable emergency response forces to relay announcements over all cable television stations. Viewers may be alerted by a tone alert with a line of text across the bottom of their television set, an automatic cut-in with a picture and voice transmission from the emergency scene or a local agency, or a cut-in using voice communication only. As with the Emergency Broadcast System, this notification method is useful to people who are tuned in to a broadcast channel.

Federal Role

In the event of a major incident, the Federal government can also provide assistance to the local Incident Commander through the National Response Center (NRC). This center, staffed by the U.S. Coast Guard, operates a 24-hour hotline to receive and relay notices of major hazardous materials discharges to the appropriate authorities. When needed, the NRC can also make the expertise and other resources of Federal agencies available to the local government.

Residential Route-Alert

In this method, motor vehicles equipped with public address systems travel predesignated routes to notify people of the emergency situation. Persons inside buildings may not hear this method. An alternative is door-to-door knocking by officials on foot.

Effectiveness of the Site Safety and Health Plan

Inspections shall be conducted by the site safety and health supervisor or, in the absence of that individual, another individual who is knowledgeable in occupational safety and health, acting on behalf of the employer as necessary to determine the effectiveness of the site safety and health plan. The employer, when identified through inspections or site incidents, must correct any deficiencies in the effectiveness of the site safety and health plan. These inspections reports should be a part of the community's evaluation of the site's compliance with OSHA's health and safety standards.

Incident Commander

Successful management of a hazardous materials incident falls upon the shoulders of the Incident Commander. In most States and jurisdictions, this individual is from the local fire service. The Incident Commander is tasked with directing all response and supporting operations in accordance with procedures specified in State or local ordinances and the local Emergency Operations Plan. As additional officials with higher rank arrive on the scene, they may assume the Incident Commander role. A good plan will eliminate any confusion as to who the Incident Commander is at any point in the emergency.

Step 6-Testing the Plan

Once the plan is in place, the community must conduct exercises (simulations of emergency situations) to determine whether responders are prepared to handle their assigned roles, and whether the planned procedures are effective. Exercises provide a means of validating the emergency plan and evaluating training programs used to prepare responders. Ranging in complexity from "tabletop" discussions to the actual deployment of significant resources and personnel (as if in response to an incident), exercises are the best way to find out if the community is ready for a specific type of emergency. Potential problems with plans and procedures are often revealed in the exercise. These problems can then be corrected, leaving the jurisdiction better able to handle an actual emergency.

CHEMTREC, CHLOREP, and NACA

The Chemical Manufacturers Association established the CHEMical TRansportation Emergency Center, called CHEMTREC, in 1971, to provide information for responders to chemical or hazardous materials emergencies. CHEMTREC operates in two stages: -Upon receipt of the name of a specific chemical, CHEMTREC provides immediate advice on the nature of the product and steps to be taken in handling the early stages of an emergency involving that product. -CHEMTREC promptly contacts the shipper of the material involved to obtain more detailed information and appropriate follow-up, including on-scene assistance when feasible. -CHEMTREC's operators can assist incident responders by providing information such as the physical properties of the chemical involved, appropriate protective clothing to be worn by response personnel, and general tactics to use with the various hazardous materials (e.g., certain hazardous materials-induced fires will need to be extinguished with water, while others should be smothered or covered with a special type of foam). CHEMTREC will not, however, tell the Incident Commander how to manage the incident.

The person in charge of managing responding forces at a hazardous materials incident is:

The Incident Commander (usually from the local fire service)

To find out more about your local plan for accidents at chemical plants and other fixed sites, your first contact should be:

The LEPC

Step 2-Analyzing Risks

The LEPC reviews and critiques any community plans that may already exist. It then determines the community's potential hazardous materials risks, primarily through the use of reports submitted by local industries under Title III, but supplemented by analysis of hazardous materials transport and other potential local hazards not addressed by the legislation.

Step 1-Identifying Participants

The LEPC should include members with diverse experience in the execution of the plan. The group's collective expertise should include experience in planning; knowledge of the community; experience with the local response forces; and knowledge of hazardous materials, their effects, and appropriate medical treatments.

Step 3-Identifying Special Populations and Areas of Concern

The LEPC takes a close look at the community to identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to incidents, and populations that would require special planning to protect or evacuate them in an emergency (such as nursing home residents). Makeup of a typical Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).

Step 4-Identifying Available Resources

The LEPC works with local police and fire officials to determine the response capabilities of their departments, then gathers information to understand the incident response role played by surrounding communities and State and Federal government agencies. Capabilities of these secondary sources are then assessed. The Committee then determines the response capabilities of local industry and transporters, specifically those that have the potential to be involved in a hazardous materials incident. On the basis of this information, the LEPC develops a resource list, detailing where equipment and personnel may be obtained to help with a hazardous materials emergency, and whom to call for assistance. It also designates the specific responsibilities of all resources—police, fire, and other city departments, as well as volunteers and key private sector Local Emergency Planning organizations—in the event of a hazardous materials incident.

Integrated Contingency Plan Guidance (ICP)

The National Response Team has developed Integrated Contingency Plan ("ICP" or "One Plan") Guidance. The ICP Guidance provides a way to consolidate into one functional emergency response plan the multiple plans that a facility may have prepared to comply with various regulations. The ICP Guidance resulted from recommendations in the December 1993 NRT Report to Congress: A Review of Federal Authorities for Hazardous Materials Accident Safety. Facilities can use the ICP Guidance to consolidate their existing plans and to simplify their plan development and update process. The ICP is available to facility owners and operators who must prepare emergency response plans for responding to oil discharges and releases of non-radiological hazardous substances.

Is Your Community Prepared for a Hazardous Materials Emergency?

The following is only a sample of possible hazardous materials preparedness questions, but the answers should give you an idea of whether your community is thinking ahead or waiting for a serious incident to get its attention. A large number of "yes" answers are a positive sign. Too many "no" answers suggest public inquiries may be needed to increase the awareness of the potential costs of hazardous materials accidents.

Review of Written Safety and Health Program

These facilities are required to have in place a Site Safety and Health Program for workers and community safety. They will provide you with a copy of these Plans, or at least allow you to review them while you are visiting their sites. Things to look out for are: emergency procedures and community notification. Emergencies that impact the community are to be addressed in these plans, and also, how they will inform the community, and what steps they will take to ensure the health and well being of their surrounding communities.

Location of Hazardous Materials/Chemicals Storage Areas

When granted permission to tour the site, ask to view the location where hazardous materials/chemicals are being stored. Look at chemical labels and conditions of the hazardous materials/chemicals containers. Labels should be visible as you approach the container, thus allowing the individuals to know what products are being stored in the containers. If you spot a waste storage area like the one shown in Figure 5-3, report it to your local fire department and the Environmental Protection Agency immediately.

Should emergency planning include and be coordinated with other communities and jurisdictions? If so, why?

Yes, good emergency planning must be coordinated with other communities and jurisdictions. Incidents can occur on political boundaries and involve more than one jurisdiction. Coordination between the two jurisdictions must be undertaken to provide protection to the residents in each community. Also, mutual aid (the sharing of services and equipment between communities) can be of great value in times of major emergencies.

Would good planning have prevented some of the problems that occurred in the above incident? If so, how?

Yes, good planning would have prevented many of the problems that occurred in the incident. A good emergency plan would have outlined who had the authority to order an evacuation, and who was to be in charge at the incident scene. Also, the plan should have identified the hazards associated with the hardware store's stocking of pesticides and fireworks.

State Role

a local government may have to call on State agencies for specialized resources and knowledge. Such an action could involve a number of State agencies; their potential roles are described below. -The Office of Emergency Services arranges State and Regional mutual aid support and provides liaison with State agencies. -The Department of Transportation assists and/or provides for identification and containment of all materials on State highways and freeways or unincorporated county roadways. -The State Police or Highway Patrol provides general control of the perimeter of the incident (regulating traffic, for example) and will play other roles depending on State law and incident requirements. -The Department of Fish and Game and Regional Water Quality Control Boards provide recommendations and guidelines when hazardous material spills are likely to contaminate streams and/or waterways, or would otherwise affect wildlife resources. -State OSHA personnel often possess a large reservoir of technical knowledge useful to an Incident Commander in the areas of exposure to, protection from, and control of hazardous materials. In an incident in which employees have been injured due to exposure, or in a prolonged incident, State OSHA personnel may respond. -The State Department of Health employs health scientists who can help assess the potential human impact of a toxic release. -The State Department of Environmental Protection can predict the environmental impact of actions the Incident Commander is considering. -The State and local Fire Marshals have specific expertise relating to chemical behavior and State fire codes.

Training records

are a good means of determining how well site personnel have been trained to perform their jobs and to respond to site emergencies. These records should be reviewed during your site visit to ensure first training is being conducted, and finally, that each worker's refresher training is current. The lack of real training is the root cause for accidents and spills during daily operations. This training is mandatory. All training records must be maintained onsite, and should be made available for review during your site visit.

Scientists

familiar with chemical properties would help develop a strategy for controlling the incident that is appropriate to the properties of the material.

Your community's Local Emergency Operations Plan

serves as a blueprint for response to many types of emergencies that could occur in your community, including a hazardous materials incident. Ideally, a multi-disciplinary team of specialists will have prepared the plan, which consists of: The hazards in your area The local resources available to respond to an incident The resources of neighboring jurisdictions, as well as from States and the Federal government

Supporting annexes

that contain information on specific functional responsibilities, tasks, and operational actions needed to deal with particular hazards. The focus of an annex is on operations—what the function is and how it is carried out. Annexes are action-oriented and written for personnel charged with execution of the plan. Examples of annexes include warning, evacuation, and fire and rescue.

Opportunities for Coordinated Planning

the ICP Guidance also will improve coordination of response activities within the facility and with outside responders, minimize duplication, and simplify plan development and maintenance. The ICP sample format is based on the Incident Command System or "ICS." Organizing an ICP according to the ICS structure will allow the plan to dovetail with established response management practices and promote the usefulness of any given plan in an emergency. Response planners can use ICP formatted plans to coordinate facility response plans with those maintained by LEPCs, and as a tool for determining whether the facility complies with multiple agency regulations.