First Responders

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Thu 26 Jul 2007

First Responders-ERG Goes On-Line

Posted by Allan under Compliance , Emergency Response , First Responders , Hazardous Materials , Hazardous Waste , Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration , Safety , Technology , Transportation , US DOT
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EGR.png Laptop.png

First Responders to Get WISER, Thanks to DOT, HHS
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook is the go-to reference for first responders to help them quickly identify hazardous material classifications, determine the best response, and protect themselves and the public immediately after an incident. Now, because of a joint effort between DOT and the Department of Health and Human Services, responders will for the first time have electronic access to the guidebook’s info through laptops and PDAs for potentially even faster fact finding.

Signed in late June, an agreement between the DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the HHS National Library of Medicine led to the development of a special software application called the Wireless Information System for Emergency Responsers, or WISER, which makes the electronic guidebook accessible through palm devices like the Blackberry and other PDAs, some phones, and Windows-based laptops and desktops.

“This new digital tool will give our police, firefighters, and other emergency responders first on the scene the information they need to make the rapid-fire decisions necessary to protect the public and themselves,” said Ted Willke, PHMSA associate administrator for hazardous materials safety.

For more information, visit http://hazmat.dot.gov/pubs/erg/gydebook.htm/ . For information on WISER visit http://wiser.nlm.nih.gov/.

 

Thu 12 Jul 2007

Fire Prevention Plan

Posted by Allan under Emergency , Emergency Planning , Emergency Response , Fire Safety , First Responders , Hazardous Waste , NFPA , non-profits , OSHA , Safety , Safety Culture , Training
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Factory FireAccording to 29 CFR 1910.34, all workplaces in general industry except mobile workplaces such as vehicles or vessels must have a fire prevention plan. Your facility’s fire prevention plan must include, at a minimum, the following elements, as specified in 29CFR 1910.39(c):

  • A list of all major fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources and their control, and the type of fire protection equipment necessary to control each major hazard
  • Procedures to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials
  • Procedures for regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat-producing equipment to prevent the accidental ignition of combustible materials
  • The name or job title of employees responsible for maintaining equipment to prevent or control sources of ignition or fires
  • The name or job title of employees responsible for the control of fuel source hazards

In the past few years a few people have been asked this question,  “Should I train my employees to fight minor fires with a fire extinguisher?”  My answer is alwayS the same, train people as first responders to make sure they get everyone out of the building, use a fire extinguisher to help clear a path if needed.  Let trained fire fighters put your fire out.  OSHA has specific regulations for having and training a fire brigade. 

I have found that insurance companies which insure your building, would like to see employees to try and put out minor fires with a fire extinguisher.   In contrast the company who carries your health insurance wants to make sure everyone gets out of the building and let the trained fire fighters work on the fire.

Developing an Emergency Response Plan is an essential part of a company’s safety program and can save lives.  Develop a good one and PRACTICE IT OFTEN.

 

Mon 25 Jun 2007

Elements in Developing a Hazmat Plan

Posted by Allan under Compliance , Emergency Planning , Emergency Response , First Responders , Hazardous Materials , Hazardous Waste , PPE , Safety , Training
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Hazmat Incident1.pngWorking with different companies, I am often asked about Hazmat plans.  How do I know if I need a plan, is a common question.  My answer is almost always the same, IF YOU HAVE MSDS SHEETS, YOU HAVE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ON-SITE, and you need a plan according to OSHA 29CFR part 120.   So what do you need to do?  Here is a starting point:

  • Develop a statement of purpose.
  • What does the scope of your plan include?
  • Identifying whom within the organization has authority for the plan.
  • Contact local professionals (fire department hazmat commander) to help develop plan.
  • List all known hazards in the facilities covered by the plan, and their location(s) in your facility.
  • Describe appropriate emergency procedures, including a worker alert/evacuation system.
  • What is needed to outfit first responder?
  • How any incident is to be reported.
  • Necessary training for first responders, and all employees.
  • How and when to practice evaluation plan.
  • Revise your plan as new hazardous materials enter your facility.

If your local hazmat team response time could be delayed, your employees should have HazWoper training (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response).  Your first responders should have a minimum of 24-hours HazWoper training.  All employees should be trained on your emergency response plan. 

Be aware that many common materials are now classified as hazardous materials.  This link provided may give you some common hazardous materials you are not aware of.

 

Wed 13 Jun 2007

NOAA Unveils New Online Tool For Hazardous Materials Responders

Posted by Allan under Compliance , Emergency , Emergency Planning , Emergency Response , Environment , First Responders , Hazardous Materials , News , NOAA , Safety
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Hazmat IncidnetA new online tool on hazardous chemical accidents has been released by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Response and Restoration. The new Web site, CAMEO Chemicals, http://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/, is the latest component of NOAA’s popular CAMEO (Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations) software suite and the first to be available for use online.

Over the past two decades, the CAMEO suite has brought first responders from an era in which they gleaned emergency response information from maps and reference books spread out on the hoods of their trucks to a time when up-to-date, comprehensive information on chemical plumes, toxicity risks and susceptibility of chemical mixtures to burn or explode can be displayed with a few strokes on a computer keyboard.

“CAMEO is the most widely used chemical response software in the world,” said Capt. Ken Barton, acting director of NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration. “With CAMEO Chemicals, we’ve responded to user requests to improve access and ease of use of this vital information. While the Web site is newly operational, it has already been placed in service with a major chemical release on the Mississippi River and a dangerous train derailment in New York.”

CAMEO Chemicals is an online, easy-to-use version of the most popular components of CAMEO, the chemical database and the reactivity prediction tool. Key features include:
Extensive Chemical Database: CAMEO Chemicals uses the same chemical database as CAMEO, which contains response recommendations for more than 6,000 chemicals. The database also contains more than 100,000 chemical synonyms and identification numbers, which aid emergency responders in identifying unknown substances during an incident.
Critical Response Information: The revised search engine and new ranking order for search results makes finding chemicals easier. Data sheets on each chemical provide physical properties, health hazards, information about air and water hazards, and recommendations for firefighting, first aid, and spill response.
Chemical Reactivity: This tool predicts what hazards could arise if chemicals were to mix.

CAMEO Chemicals was developed by NOAA in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard. The Web site is maintained by NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration, a program of the National Ocean Service.

 

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