Emergency Preparedness and Response to a
Hazardous Material Release Alert
Vale Canada Ltd., Ontario Operations
Sudbury, Ontario
Last updated: April 2015
Introduction
•
The purpose of the following presentation is to provide you with
important information on how to respond to a “Vale hazardous
material release alert”.
•
It has been developed with help from the Greater Sudbury
Emergency Management Advisory Panel.
•
Updating of this review will occur on an “as required” basis.
Hazardous Material Release Alert
•
A “hazardous material release alert” will be issued by Vale in Sudbury
when an emergency has the potential of adversely affecting one or more of
the following:
• Another complex at Vale
• The public
• The environment.
•
Although these events are very rare with all the operating safeguards in
place, a very small risk does exist and it is important to know how to
respond if an alert is issued.
Accountabilities For Alert Response
Vale:
• Sound alarms and ensure safety of personnel on site
• Notify the Greater Sudbury Fire Services
• Address the cause of the release (with assistance if required)
Greater Sudbury Fire Services:
• Alert the public, media and other required emergency
authorities
• Respond to the affected area assisting the company if needed
to address the cause
Accountabilities
Media:
• Broadcast message immediately in order to alert the public
• Do not call the company or emergency services
Public at large (in affected areas):
• Enact the A.C.T. plan until the “all clear” is announced
Note: Public safety in response to an emergency is the accountability of
the City of Greater Sudbury.
Requirements To Register Chemicals
•
Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) some of the
chemicals used at the Vale facilities in Sudbury are in large enough
quantities to have to be registered under CEPA Section 200.
•
The next slide identifies the chemicals that must be registered and that
are in use in the Sudbury Operations as well as the locations where these
chemicals are used.
Chemicals Registered Under CEPA 200
Vermilion
Water Plant
Chlorine
Copper Cliff
Nickel Refinery
X
Ammonia
(anhydrous)
X
Carbon Monoxide
X
Nickel Carbonyl
X
Vermilion Water Plant: West of Highway 144, Lively
Acid plant: At the Copper Cliff Smelter Complex
Copper Cliff Nickel Refinery: South side of Highway 55 east of Fielding Road
Copper Cliff Area Facilities
VERMILION PUMP HOUSE
West of Highway 144
(Lively-Chelmsford)
COPPER CLIFF SMELTER
(Acid plant)
One air horn located here
COPPER CLIFF NICKEL REFINERY
One air horn located here
Health Risks Of These Chemicals
•
Like many other chemicals, all these products can cause serious
injury when the exposure is large.
•
They are all likely to be a hazard in gaseous form.
•
The health risks for these products can be found through on-line
searches on the Internet.
Considerations In An Emergency
•
In the unlikely event of a hazardous material release alert, and, given that
the source of the emergency may not be readily identifiable, Vale
personnel responsible for emergency activation operate under two
immediate considerations:
– Who is at risk?
– How can they be informed?
•
Consequently the most immediate response must focus on the safety of
employees and the public.
How Will I Know There Is An Emergency?
• Hearing the Vale intermittent air horns located at the Copper Cliff
Smelter and the Copper Cliff Nickel Refinery (note that these horns
are tested every Monday at 1:30pm).
• Hearing emergency message broadcast on local radio stations.
• Viewing emergency message on local television stations.
How Will I Know There Is An Emergency?
Note:
You will not receive a direct communication from Vale in the event of a
Hazardous Material Release Alert – logistically this will not be possible.
The air horns will stay “on” until the emergency is over and an “all clear”
has been declared.
The company will issue a press release only once the danger is under
control and the circumstances surrounding the release are known.
Media Message Template
In the event of a Hazardous Material Release Alert the following message
will be broadcast in English and French in the media:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
URGENT: VALE DECLARES A HAZARDOUS MATERIAL RELEASE EMERGENCY
A.C.T. PROGRAM ACTIVATED FOR AFFECTED AREAS
Sudbury, month day, 20XX – The City of Greater Sudbury Fire Services would like to notify the public
that Vale has declared a Hazardous Material Release Emergency.
Affected areas include: ____________________ (locations)
Those who find themselves in the affected area(s) should immediately ACT accordingly:
• Always go indoors
• Close all doors and windows
• Turn off any furnaces, air conditioners or other air intakes.
The public is being asked to stay tuned to local television and radio stations for further updates as they
are made available.
Please do not call 911 unless it’s a life threatening emergency.
Please do not call Vale. Vale will provide further details through the media as they are made available.
What Does Vale Want You to Do?
• Follow the ACT instructions
• Stay out of indicated affected area(s)
• Do not call Vale or public emergency numbers unless assistance is
immediately required.
• Wait for the “All Clear” message prior to resuming normal business.
Vale will provide updates to the public through the radio and television.
How to ACT in an emergency.
If you hear the Vale emergency signal (a repeating 15-second air horn blast followed by
5 seconds of silence):
Always go indoors
Close all doors and windows
Turn off furnace, air conditioners
or other air intakes
•
•
•
Do no use the telephone except for immediate emergency assistance
Stay tuned to radio or TV for information updates
Remain inside until an “All Clear” message is broadcast and the air horn has stopped
Vale is committed to the safety of our employees and our neighbours.
Summary
• This review has been designed to give you a brief overview of the
emergency response process in the event of a Hazardous Material
Release Alert from Vale.
• If you require additional information please email your questions to
ontario.questions@vale.com .