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
1–2
Other Emergencies
• Do not involve the release of a hazardous
substance
Awareness Level
1–3
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
1–4
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
1–5
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
1–6
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
1–7
Canadian Agencies Regulating
Hazardous Materials
•
•
•
•
Transport Canada (TC)
Environment Canada
Health Canada
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Awareness Level
1–8
Products Most Often
Involved in Haz Mat Incidents
•
•
•
•
Flammable/combustible liquids
Corrosives
Anhydrous ammonia
Chlorine
Awareness Level
1–9
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
1–10
Hazardous Materials States
(2 of 2)
Awareness Level
1–11
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
1–12
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
1–13
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
1–14
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
1–15
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
1–16
NFA Categories of
Hazardous Materials Hazards
•
•
•
•
Thermal
Radiological
Asphyxiation
Chemical
• Etiological
• Mechanical
• Psychological
Awareness Level
1–17
NFPA Categories of
Hazardous Materials Hazards
•
•
•
•
Thermal
Mechanical
Poisonous
Corrosive
•
•
•
•
Asphyxiation
Radiation
Etiologic
Psychological
Awareness Level
1–18
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
1–19
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
1–20
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
1–21
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
1–22
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
1–23
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
1–24
Etiological Hazards
• Exposure to a living microorganism that
causes, or may cause, human disease that
may be severe and disabling
Awareness Level
1–25
Mechanical Hazards
• Direct contact with an object
– Can be mild, moderate, or severe
– Striking injuries
– Friction injures
(1 of 2)
Awareness Level
1–26
Mechanical Hazards
BLEVEs and other explosions can cause mechanical
trauma.
Awareness Level
1–27
(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
Awareness Level
1–28
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
1–29
Routes of Entry
• Absorption — Through the skin or eyes
• Penetration — Radioactive particles and
energy waves
(2 of 3)
Awareness Level
1–30
Routes of Entry
Chemicals often have multiple routes of entry.
(3 of 3)
Awareness Level
1–31
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
1–32
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
1–33
Awareness-Level
Lesson 1 Presentation
Hazardous Materials for
First Responders, 3rd Ed.