Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Emergency Response Plans, Response to Hazardous Materials/WMD incidents, Identifying Processes for Evaluating Progress and Respiratory Protection (pgs. 71-104)

Closed Circuit SCBA Uses

- Allows full walking range of motion - Protect personnel in hazardous, toxic, or oxygen-deficient environments - Underground rescue operations in a wide range of applications including HAZMAT remediation, mine and tunnel rescue

Skin contact hazards include

- Burns - Rashes - Absorption of toxic substances

Level C (Chemical-Protective Clothing) Conditions

- Cant wear in IDLH or oxygen-deficient environment - No respirator

Even a careful selection process, number of situations arise when no information is available to judge. Situations include:

- Chemicals that have not been tested with the garment materials - Mixtures of two or more different chemicals - Chemicals that cannot be readily identified - Extreme environmental conditions (hot temperature) - Lack of date in all clothing components (seams, visors)

SCBA uses

- Choice of respirator when dealing with any oxygen-deficient atmosphere that is IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health) - Minimum respiratory protection to be worn at a HAZMAT incident

Criteria for determining the locations of the control zones

- ERG - CHEMTREC/CANUTEC/SETIQ - Personal observations: sampling or air monitoring, path of the leak, need for support space *once hot zone is establish, the rest of our zones establish themselves*

Preserve evidence as listed in LERP/SOP

- Essential to the integrity of evidence: secure and isolate incident, leave fatalities in place, isolate any apparent source and place light colored tarps

Closed Circuit SCBA Operational Components

- Face piece - Exhalation valve - Regulator assembly - Cylinder assembly - Backpack and harness assembly

SCBA Operational components

- Face-piece assembly: Provides user with an uncontaminated positive pressure air - Regulator assembly: Regulates the flow of air from cylinder pressure to usable pressure - Cylinder assembly: Provides the user with an air supply - Backpack and harness assembly: Allows to hold and SCBA

PPE Equipment Options: Thermal

- Fire entry suits - Proximity suits - Undergarments - Specialized PPE Ex: NOMEX for heat and flame protection

PAPR Operational Components

- Full face piece - Blower unit - Breathing hose - Filter - Battery

SAR Operational Components

- Full face-piece with breathing valve - Mask supply hose, 300 feet maximum, and belt mounted manifold assembly - Escape unit - Air compressor with air cylinders or cascade system

Level A (Fully Encapsulated Vapor Protective Clothing) Conditions

- High potential for splash, immersion, or exposure to unexpected vapors, gases, or particulates of material that are harmful to skin or capable of being absorbed through the intact skin - Operations in confined, poorly ventilated areas

Closed Circuit SCBA Limitations

- Hot dry air is generated for the user over the entire duration of use - Not approved for structural fire of CBRN incident response - At cold temps, scrubber efficiency may be reduced, CO2 breakthrough may occur - Units retain heat exchanged in exhalation; generate heat in CO2 scrubbing operations, adding to danger of heat stress, auxiliary cooling devices may be required

Risk assessments must be done immediately by

- Identifying the hazard present - Estimating the type and likelihood of exposure - Understanding the consequence of exposure - Determining the risk

SAR Limitations

- Impairs mobility - Hose limits travel distance (300 feet max) - Tangled/ twisted hoses, vulnerable to physical damage

Particulate respirator: Uses

- Intended to reduce wearer exposure to certain airborne particles - Mostly used for solid and non-oil based particles - Operational components include a surgical mask type respirator

PPE Equipment Options: Asphyxiating

- Level A and B - Ex: SCBA or SAR

PPE Equipment Options: Chemical

- Level A, B, and C - JSLIST Chemical Protective Over Garment - Self-contained, Toxic- Environment Protection Outfit (STEPO)

PPE Equipment Options: Etiological/biological

- Level C Ex: TYCHEM/TYVEC

Closed Circuit SCBA Advantages

- Longer operating time (up to 4 hours), lighter weight than the open-circuit apparatus - Warning alarm signals when 20 to 25 percent of oxygen supplies remains - Oxygen supply is depleted before CO2 sorbent scrubber supply

SAR Advantages

- Longer working time than SCBA - Less bulky and lighter than the SCBA - Protects against airborne contaminants - Can be used in oxygen- deficient environments

Stresses that can affect users of personal protective equipment (7)

- Low dexterity and mobility - Low visibility - Communication Problems - Physical Stress - Claustrophobia - Limited dexterity - Heat stress and heat exhaustion

Personnel Working SCBA

- Medically certified annually - must be trained, tested and certified regularly in the safe and proper use of equipment Limitations: - Claustrophobia - Poor aerobic capacity

Doffing during PPE

- Outside surfaces do not touch or make contact with the wearer - a log of PPE should be used - Any decon method that permeates, degrades, damages or otherwise impairs the safe function of PPE should not be used

Selection factors are determined by

- Overall suit integrity - Strength and durability - Materials chemical resistance - Materials physical properties - Design features

Physiological and Psychological Stresses of PPE

- Physical limitations - Medical Limitations - Mental limitations o Self-confidence o Emotional stability o Training equipment use o Claustrophobia

Level B (Chemical-Protective Clothing) Limitations

- Relatively bulky, range of motion limited, communication is difficult - Cannot use in oxygen-deficient environment - Requires assistance for donning and doffing

PPE Equipment Options: Mechanical (explosive)

- Specialized PPE Ex: KEVLAR

HAZMAT branch/group: Entry Officer (back up)

- Supervises entry and exit operations - Make recommendations concerning control activities in the hot zone - Safety brief, Technical decon and the back-up team (2 personnel) needs to be established before entry takes place

SAR uses

- Supplied air respirators are supplied with air by an external source, usually a compressor or compressed air cylinders located away from the actual work site - Provides with a longer working time

Structural Firefighting Protective Clothing (Level D or Bunker Gear)

- Used for firefighting operations - Effective against heat and flames Numerous limitations when used during hazardous materials incidents includes: - Limited splash protection - No vapor protection, besides SCBA - Minimal protection from hazardous materials - Provides Level D protection

APR Uses

- Used in controlled industrial and workplace environments where the contaminants are known and the concentration is measured - Used in atmospheres that contain CBRN respiratory hazards

Collection and disposal of contaminated clothing & equipment

- all waste must be contained in non-leak containers - containers must be compatible - containers must have visibly identifiable - CLEARLY

SCBA Limitations

- bulky and heavy - limited air supply - may impair movement - greater limitations for those who are in poor shape

Evaluating decon effectiveness during field operations

- contamination levels are reduced - contamination is confined - contamination reduced to a level that is as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)

HAZMAT branch/group: Decon officer

- determines appropriate level of decon -reduce and prevent the spread of contaminants -ensures that decontamination is set-up and operational prior to entry personnel entering the hot zone

SCBA advantages

- highest level of respiratory protection - equipment can be used in oxygen deficient atmospheres - doesn't restrict distance

Coordinating communication between responders and the public

- inform the public ASAP - Notification will vary

Sheltering in place

- move into buildings, air tight (shut down HVAC), until danger passes - short periods of time, then evacuation

evacuation

- moving people at risk from the area threatened to safety (move UPWIND) - DOES NOT need to be a large scale move, it just needs to get them away form the risk at hand

Safety briefings

- preliminary evaluation - hazard identifications (if known) - description of the site - tasks to be preformed - length of time allowed for tasks - required PPE - monitoring requirements - notification of identified risks *the first is to the whole organization and then prior to every entry there should be another safety brief*

Procedures for establishing scene control zones

- set up as soon as possible - size is based on the degree of hazard - police/fire department can help cordon and control zones if it is included in our SOP/SOG

Emergency Procedures (4)

1. Loss of air supply is a life-threatening situation - React quickly and competently - Move as quickly as possible to decon site 2. Loss of suit integrity from physical damage, is a life-threatening situation - Tears - Punctures - Blow out 3. Loss of verbal communication 4. Buddy down in hot zone

Particulate respirator: Advantages and Limitations

Advantages - Lightweight - Easy to use - Filter doesn't add much additional weight Limitations: - Does not eliminate exposure to or the risk of contracting any disease or infection - No protection against gases or vapors - Not for atmospheres IDLH

Air-cooled

Advantages: cools the entire body Disadvantages: requires an air line and large quantities of breathable air

Water cooled

Advantages: most effective method for controlling body core temperatures. Technology can also be used as warming system in cold conditions Disadvantages: adds both weight and bulk and requires an ice supply or a refrigeration unit to cool the water or cooling agent

Phase change cooling technology

Advantages: phase change technology creates a constant temp vest and works in harmony with the body. Maintains 72F Disadvantages: Cost and requires an ice water or a refrigeration unit to cool the vests

Ice-cooled

Advantages: relatively inexpensive and lightweight, improve worker comfort, decrease lens fogging and are "user friendly" Disadvantages: lightweight but add an additional bulk and requires an ice source at the source

APR

Air Purifying Respirators

High-temperature Protective Clothing (3)

Approach suits: - Designed for short term entry into flaming environments (approx.. 2000F) - Has respiratory - Provides Level D protection Proximity suits: - Designed for short term entry into flaming environments (approx.. 2000F) - Close approach for rescue and fire suppression Fire-entry suits: - Designed for total flame environments - Can withstand prolonged exposures to direct flame contact (up to 2000F) - Provides Level D protection

Control Zones

Based upon safety and degree of hazard Cold zone: command post / staging area Warm zone: personnel and equipment decontamination and hot zone support take place Hot zone: immediately surrounding extends far enough to prevent adverse effects of hazards to personnel outside the zone / the whole hot zone is not contaminated

PAPR Limitations

Cannot be used in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere and must only be worn in atmospheres in which the hazard has been identified and the concentrations are within allowable limits

heat exhaustion

Caused by the loss of body fluids (dehydration) through sweating without adequate fluid replacement o Profuse sweating o Headache o Fatigue o Cool, moist, pale skin o Dizziness o Nausea

Role of the Operations Level Responder

DRIVEN BY LERP o Level I (Potential Emergency Conditions) Incident or threat of a release, can be controlled by the first responder o Level II (Limited Emergency Condition) An incident involving a greater hazard or a larger scale area than Level I Poses a threat to life and property May require a limited protective action of the surrounding area Will require a formal HAZMAT team with Tech Level Responders o Level III (Full emergency Condition) Involving a severe hazard or encompassing a large area Poses an extreme threat to life and property May require a large- scale protective action Will require state and federal assistance *Hurricane Katrina*

PAPR Advantages

Has a battery powered fan that pulls air through filtration canisters minimizing stress on the user

Level B (Chemical-Protective Clothing)

Has lower respiratory protection

Cold stress

Increased by exposure to water, either by sweat or wet clothes o Frost-bite o Hypothermia

Location of ICS

Initial command post: could be the first arriving unit at the incident Designated command post: as more equipment and personnel arrive, the IC can use a designated one - Clearly Marked command post - Controlled access

Considerations of the Incident: (two questions)

Is the incident stabilizing? is the incident increasing in intensity?

PPE Equipment Options: Radiological

Lead aprons Specialized PPE Ex. Particulate radioactive contamination TYCHEM/TYVEC

Level A (Fully Encapsulated Vapor Protective Clothing) Equipment

Level A equipment is to be selected when the greatest level of skin, respiratory, and eye protection is required - Pressure demand, full face piece, SCBA, or pressure demand air line respirator with escape SCBA - Vapor protective suits are totally encapsulating chemical protective suits meeting: NFPA 1991, Standard on Vapor-Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials Emergencies

APR Advantages

Lightweight enhanced mobility

Level A (Fully Encapsulated Vapor Protective Clothing) Limitations

Limitations: - Relatively bulky, range of motion limited, communication is difficult - Cannot use the suit for chemicals it is not designed for and requires assistance in donning and doffing

What must all responders using SCBA do annually?

Medical certification

Incident Safety Officer (ISO)

Monitors and assesses safety hazards or unsafe situations and develops measures for ensuring personnel Safety in hot and warm zone Has the authority to alter, suspend or terminate any activity that is judged to be unsafe The ISO is part of command staff and reports directly to the IC

Permeation resistance time for NFPA 1991 and 1992

NFPA 1991 = permeation resistance for 3 hours NFPA 1992= permeation resistance for 1 hour

What is the document you refer t if jurisdictions have not developed an emergency response plan?

NRT-1 HazMat Emergency Planning Guide

Level D

No respiratory protection and minimal skin protection. Selected when the atmosphere contains no known hazards

PAPR Uses

PAPR's operate similarly to APR's in that they utilize filtration canisters to filter the air of contaminants; Makes it easier to breath does not give any protection

PPE Program

PPE selections/use Storage Maintenance Inspection Training consideration *In accordance with Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 1910.120*

HAZMAT branch/group: Branch director/ group supervisor

Platoon leader of the HAZMAT branch/group - high level of technical knowledge - Control zones are established and monitored - responsible for allocating and assigning resources to control incident

PAPR

Powered Air Purifying Respirator (battery powered fan)

Level A (Fully Encapsulated Vapor Protective Clothing)

Protects against specific chemical hazards, vapors, gases, mists, dusts and liquids

Incident Command System (ICS)

Purpose: organized structure of roles; ICS is modular Need: provides for the safety and health of response personnel Benefits: easy to implement and standardizes communication Elements (IC-FLOP): (1) Incident commander (public information officer, safety officer, liaison officer), (2) Finance and Administration, (3) Logistics, (4) Operations, (5) Planning

HAZMAT branch/group: Information/research officer

Responsible for developing, documenting and coordinating the information gathered during an incident

HAZMAT branch/group: Safety officer

SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY - Site Safety Plan

What is the minimum requirement for respiratory protection at HazMat/WMD incidents?

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

SOG

Standard Operating Guidelines

SAR

Supplied Air Respirator

Penetration

The movement of a chemical through the suit's closures, cracks, or tears

PPE Equipment Options

Thermal Radiological Asphyxiating Chemical Etiological/biological Mechanical (explosive)

Management concepts of ICS

Unity of command: 1 incident commander Span of control: 3-7 report to one supervisor, optimum is 5 Functional positions Functional positions: assigned to one functional position and remain until properly relieved

Safety precautions to be observed when approaching and working at Hazardous materials/WMD incidents

Uphill, upwind, upstream calculated and deliberate Situational Awareness

APR Limitations

cannot be worn in IDLH or oxygen deficient atmospheres

Heat stroke (most severe/real medical emergency)

caused by failure of the body's cooling mechanism o No sweating o Rapid pulse o Hot, dry, red skin o Confusion o Impaired judgement o Loss of consciousness

heat cramps

caused by the imbalance of chemicals (electrolytes) in the body, as a result of excessive sweating o Cramping in the extremities o Abdominal (stomach cramps) o May occur without the individual being thirsty

Permeation

chemical movement through material at molecular level; exposing the responder to contamination

Disposal methods

confined, collected, containerized and analyzed for treatment and disposal

Heat stress

inability of the body to transfer heat to the atmosphere at a rate equal to, or faster than, it is being generated

APR operational components

o Full face-piece or half-face o Exhalation valve o Filter/cartridge/canister o Head harness

Monitoring devices

photoionization detectors (PIDs), detector tubes

Run-off control

precautions are taken to control contaminated waste

Wipe Sampling

provides after-the-fact information on effective decon

Emergency medical requirements

refer to LERP & SOP/SOG

Visual observations

stains, discolorations, corrosive effects, etc

A logbook should be established for each _______.

suit (PPE)

degradation

the physical destruction or decomposition of a clothing material due to exposure to chemicals, use, or ambient conditions Chemical: the weakening of a material, by exposure to chemicals Physical: the weakening., or destruction of a material, caused by rubbing against rough surfaces, or leaning/brushing against sharp objects Indicators: Charring, Shrinking, Swelling, Color change and Dissolving

When would it be prudent to withdraw?

when you have no way to mitigate the incident *IC should always evaluate the benefit of operations in contrast to the risk (HUMAN LIVES)*