Awareness-Level Lesson 1 Presentation Hazardous Materials for First Responders, 3rd Ed.

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 Awareness Level

Other Emergencies Do not involve the release of a hazardous substance Awareness Level

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

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

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 Awareness Level

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 Awareness Level

Canadian Agencies Regulating Hazardous Materials Transport Canada (TC) Environment Canada Health Canada Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Awareness Level

Products Most Often Involved in Haz Mat Incidents Flammable/combustible liquids Corrosives Anhydrous ammonia Chlorine Awareness Level

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) Awareness Level

Hazardous Materials States (2 of 2) Awareness Level

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 Awareness Level

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 Awareness Level

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) Awareness Level

Potential Ignition Sources at Haz Mat Scenes Radiant heat Heat caused by friction or chemical reactions Cigarettes Cameras Road flares (2 of 2) Awareness Level

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 Awareness Level

NFA Categories of Hazardous Materials Hazards Thermal Radiological Asphyxiation Chemical Etiological Mechanical Psychological Awareness Level

NFPA Categories of Hazardous Materials Hazards Thermal Mechanical Poisonous Corrosive Asphyxiation Radiation Etiologic Psychological Awareness Level

Thermal Hazards — Cold Temperatures Cryogenic and liquefied gases Freeze burns and cold injuries Anhydrous ammonia Cold injuries Vapors are toxic and may catch fire Awareness Level

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 Awareness Level

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 Awareness Level

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 Awareness Level

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) Awareness Level

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) Awareness Level

Etiological Hazards Exposure to a living microorganism that causes, or may cause, human disease that may be severe and disabling Awareness Level

Mechanical Hazards Direct contact with an object Can be mild, moderate, or severe Striking injuries Friction injures (1 of 2) Awareness Level

Mechanical Hazards BLEVEs and other explosions can cause mechanical trauma. (2 of 2) Awareness Level

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 Awareness Level

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) Awareness Level

Routes of Entry Absorption — Through the skin or eyes Penetration — Radioactive particles and energy waves (2 of 3) Awareness Level

Routes of Entry Chemicals often have multiple routes of entry. Awareness Level

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) Awareness Level

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) Awareness Level

Awareness-Level Lesson 1 Presentation Hazardous Materials for First Responders, 3rd Ed.