Awareness-Level Lesson 1 Presentation

Awareness-Level Lesson 1 Presentation

Hazardous Materials for First Responders, 3rd Ed.

Awareness Level1–2

Haz Mat Incidents

• Involve a substance that:– Poses an unreasonable risk to:

– People– Environment– Property

– Has been or may be released from a container– May be on fire

• Will be more complex than a “routine” incident


Other Emergencies

• Do not involve the release of a hazardous substance


Awareness-Level Training Requirements

• Governmental agencies– OSHA and EPA– U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Domestic

Preparedness (ODP)• Requirements of authority having jurisdiction

(AHJ)

(1 of 2)


Awareness-Level Training Requirements

• NFPA Standards – NFPA 472, Standard for Professional Competence

of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents– NFPA 471, Recommended Practice for

Responding to Hazardous Materials Incidents– NFPA 473, Standard for Competencies for EMS

Personnel Responding to Hazardous Materials Incidents

(2 of 2)


Awareness-Level Responsibilities

• Recognizing the presence or potential presence of a hazardous material

• Recognizing container type and identifying material

• Transmitting information to appropriate authority and calling for assistance

• Identifying actions to protect self and others• Establishing scene control


U.S. Agencies Regulating Hazardous Materials

• Department of Transportation (DOT)– Hazardous materials in all modes of transport

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)– States and tribes enforce compliance

• Department of Labor– OSHA issues legislation regarding worker safety

• Nuclear Regulatory Commission– Regulates nuclear and radioactive materials


Canadian Agencies Regulating Hazardous Materials

• Transport Canada (TC)• Environment Canada• Health Canada• Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission


Products Most OftenInvolved in Haz Mat Incidents

• Flammable/combustible liquids• Corrosives• Anhydrous ammonia• Chlorine


Hazardous Materials States

• Hazardous materials may be:– Elements– Compounds – Mixtures

• May be found in gaseous, liquid, or solid states or a combination of these states

(1 of 2)


Hazardous Materials States

(2 of 2)


Hazardous Materials Hazards

• May present a direct threat to health or pose physical hazards

• Hazards range from insignificant to catastrophic

• Exposure may be acute or chronic• Health effects can be acute or chronic


Hazardous Materials Behavior

• Behavior of hazardous material — A material’s physical state, flammability, boiling point, chemical reactivity, and other properties – Affect how it behaves– Determine harm– Influence effects of hazardous material


Potential Ignition Sources at Haz Mat Scenes

• Open flames• Static electricity• Existing pilot lights• Electrical sources

• Internal combustion engines

• Heated surfaces• Cutting and welding

operations

(1 of 2)


Potential Ignition Sources at Haz Mat Scenes

• Radiant heat• Heat caused by

friction or chemical reactions

• Cigarettes• Cameras• Road flares

(2 of 2)


Potential Ignition Sources in Explosive Atmospheres

• Opening or closing a switch or electrical circuit• Turning on a flashlight• Operating a radio• Activating a cell phone


NFA Categories of Hazardous Materials Hazards

• Thermal• Radiological• Asphyxiation• Chemical

• Etiological• Mechanical• Psychological


NFPA Categories of Hazardous Materials Hazards

• Thermal• Mechanical• Poisonous• Corrosive

• Asphyxiation• Radiation• Etiologic• Psychological


Thermal Hazards — Cold Temperatures

• Cryogenic and liquefied gases– Freeze burns and cold injuries

• Anhydrous ammonia – Cold injuries– Vapors are toxic and may catch fire


Thermal Hazards — Elevated Temperatures

• A concern when dealing with materials such as molten sulphur and molten aluminum– High temperature materials can ignite

flammable/combustible materials– Thermal burn types include first, second, and third

degree burns


Radiological Hazards

• A concern at facilities such as medical centers, industrial operations, nuclear power plants, and research facilities, and terrorist attacks

• Damage cells and can cause noticeable health effects


Asphyxiation Hazards

• Asphyxiants affect the oxygenation of the body and lead to suffocation– Simple asphyxiants — Gases that displace the

oxygen necessary for breathing– Chemical asphyxiants — Substances that prohibit

the body from using oxygen


Chemical Hazards

• Produce a wide range of adverse health effects depending on:– Toxicity of the chemical– Route of exposure– Nature and extent of exposure– Factors that affect the susceptibility of the exposed

person

(1 of 2)


Chemical Hazards

• Local toxic effect — A chemical injury at the site of contact

• Systemic effects — Effects produced when a toxic chemical is absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed to other parts of the body

(2 of 2)


Etiological Hazards

• Exposure to a living microorganism that causes, or may cause, human disease that may be severe and disabling


Mechanical Hazards

• Direct contact with an object– Can be mild, moderate, or severe– Striking injuries– Friction injures

(1 of 2)


Mechanical Hazards

BLEVEs and other explosions can cause mechanical trauma.

(2 of 2)


Psychological Hazards

• Acute stress disorder — Symptoms appear within the first 30 days and do not last more than 4 weeks

• Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms — Occur 30 days to years after the event


Routes of Entry

• Inhalation — Breathing through the nose or mouth

• Ingestion — Through the mouth by means other than simple inhalation

• Injection — Through a puncture or break in the skin

(1 of 3)


Routes of Entry

• Absorption — Through the skin or eyes• Penetration — Radioactive particles and

energy waves

(2 of 3)


Routes of Entry

Chemicals often have multiple routes of entry.(3 of 3)


Summary

• Hazardous materials incidents pose significant hazards to first responders. Awareness-Level first responders must know their primary responsibilities and their limitations in dealing with hazardous materials incidents.

• Hazardous materials are regulated in both the U.S. and Canada by a number of agencies.

(1 of 2)


Summary

• Hazardous materials may be classified by their hazard. The NFA and NFPA have categories of hazardous materials classifications.

• Hazardous materials pose significant health hazards that can range from minor to severe and even fatal.

• Hazardous materials can enter the body through a number of routes.

(2 of 2)


Homework• 1. Which one of the following statements about hazardous

materials incidents is true?• A. Hazardous materials incidents are no more complex than routine

incidents.• B. Governmental agencies are not involved in regulating hazardous

materials.• C. They do not require any special training for responders to the

incident.• D. They involve a substance that poses an unreasonable risk to people,

the environment and/or property.• 2. Which governmental agency requires responders to hazardous

materials incidents to meet specific training requirements?• A. Environmental Protection Agency B. Federal Trade Commission• C. Bureau of Hazardous Materials D. Consumer Product Safety

Commission• 3. What NFPA standard applies to responders to hazardous

materials incidents?• A. NFPA 275 B. NFPA 351 C. NFPA 472 D.NFPA 1100


Homework• 4. Which of the following is a primary responsibility of

the Awareness-Level first responder?• A. Implementing a plan of action • B. Beginning offensive actions at the incident• C. Recognizing the presence or potential presence of a

hazardous material• D. Determining the extent of potential harm from the incident• 5. Which of the following products are most likely to

be involved in a hazardous materials incident?• A. Organic solids B. Plastics C. Synthetics • D. Flammable/combustible liquids• 6. Which of the following factors has the greatest

impact on the severity of a hazardous materials incident?• A. Type and quantity of material involved C. Time of release • B. Location of the release D. Speed of release


Homework

• 7. Which of the following would be a potential ignition source at a hazardous materials incident?

• A. Synthetic clothing B. Road flares• C. Debris D. Foam fire extinguishers• 8. Which of the following would not be a

potential ignition source in an explosive atmosphere?

• A. Operating a radio B. Turning on a flashlight• C. Taking off gloves D. Opening or closing a switch• 9. Which of the following NFA categories refers

to harm from exposure to a living microorganism?• A. Etiological B. Thermal C. Radiological D. Chemical


Homework• 10. Which of the following NFA categories refers to harm

from the result of exposure to the extremes of heat and cold?

• A. Etiological B. Thermal C. Radiological D. Chemical• 11. Which of the following are substances that prohibit the

body from using oxygen?• A. Simple asphyxiants B. Primary asphyxiants• C. Chemical asphyxiants D. Organic asphyxiants• 12. Which of the following would be the most likely hazard

when responding to incidents at medical centers and research facilities?

• A. Radiological B. Thermal C. Mechanical D. Psychological


Homework• 13. Which of the following does not determine the severity

of a chemical hazard?• A. Toxicity of the chemical B. Route of exposure• C. Nature and extent of exposure D. Time of day• 14. Which of the following routes of entry refers to the

process of taking in materials by breathing through the nose or mouth?

• A. Ingestion B. Inhalation C. Absorption D. Penetration• 15. Which of the following refers to damage that occurs as

a result of direct contact with an object?• A. Radiological B. Thermal • C. Mechanical D. Psychological

Awareness-Level Lesson 1 Presentation

Hazardous Materials for First Responders, 3rd Ed.

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Awareness-Level Lesson 1 Presentation