HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
AWARENESS
Definitions
 D.O.T.
(Department of
Transportation)
 Hazardous
Material: Material that
poses an unreasonable risk to the
health and safety of response
personnel, the public and or the
environment.
Definitions
 OSHA (Occupational
Safety &
Health Administration)
 Hazardous
Chemicals: Chemicals
that present health or physical
threats to workers.
Definitions
 CERCLA (Comprehensive
Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act)
 Any
substance listed under CERCLA 101
(14), 104 (a)(2), USDOT 49 CFR 172.101,
and any Hazardous Waste.
 This
includes biological and disease causing
agents.
Definitions
 EPA (Environmental
Protection
Agency)
 Extremely
Hazardous Substance
(EHS): Materials determined to be
extremely hazardous to a community
in the event of a spill or release, this is
due to the inherent toxicity or severe
physical hazard of the material.
Types of Emergencies
Hazardous
The
hazard is the product.
Other
The
Materials:
Emergencies:
emergency is the hazard
Placarding Requirements
 Reportable
Quantities (RQ’s)
 Materials
must be placarded when they
are >1,001 pounds or 110 gallons.
There are five commodities that must
be placarded in any quantity:
EXPLOSIVES “1”, “A & B” (1.1, 1.2, 1.3)
 POISON GAS 2.3, or POISON “A”
 FLAMMABLE SOLID DANGEROUS WHEN WET 4.3
 POISON (LIQUID) “6.1” “INHALATION HAZARD”
 RADIOACTIVE III “7”

HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Explosives
Class “A”, “1.1”,
“1.2”
 Substances
most likely to explode.
 Examples:
DYNAMITE,
NITROGLYCERINE, DETONATING
CORD.

HAZARDS: DETONATION,
INSTANTANEOUS RELEASE OF HEAT &
GASES.
 PLACARDED IN ANY QUANTITY.
EXPLOSIVE “A”
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Explosives
Class “B”, “1.3”
 Substance
with deflagration /
rapid combustion potential.
 Examples:
FLASH POWDERS,
LIQUID ROCKET PROPELLANT.
 HAZARDS: DEFLAGRATION.
 PLACARDED IN ANY
QUANTITY.
EXPLOSIVE “B”
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Explosives
Class “C”, “1.4”
 Substances
containing limited amounts of
Class “A” & “B” (1.1 - 1.3) explosives.
 Examples: SAFETY FUSES, PAPER
CAPS, FIREWORKS, SMALL ARMS
AMMUNITION.

HAZARDS: SAME AS 1.1 - 1.3
EXPLOSIVES DEPENDING UPON
AMOUNT OF MATERIAL INVOLVED.
EXPLOSIVE “C”
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Explosives
 Substances
Class “1.5”
that are “relatively”
insensitive.
 Examples: ANFO (AMMONIUM
NITRATE FUEL OIL).
 HAZARD
HAZARDS: MASS
DEFLAGRATION.
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Explosives
Class “1.6”
 Substances
insensitive.
that are extremely
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Flammable
 Gases
Gases “2.1”
that can burn when mixed with
air and an ignition source.
 Examples: METHANE, PROPANE,
HYDROGEN.
 HAZARDS: FIRE, BLEVE
(BOILING LIQUID
EXPANDING VAPOR
EXPLOSION).
FLAMMABLE GAS
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Non
- Flammable Gases “2.2”
 Gases
that do not burn.
Examples: Carbon dioxide,
neon, helium, “ammonia”.
Hazards: Container failure
(SHIT - Sudden Heat Induced
Tear)
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Poison
Gases “2.3” “Poison A”
 Gases
or vapors that are very
dangerous to life.
 Example:
Cyanide gas, hydrocyanid
acid, chlorine, diphosgene.
 Hazards:
Death, Toxicity.
 Placarded in any quantity.
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Oxygen
(liquefied state “2.2”).
 Combustion

enhancing commodity.
Examples: Oxygen.
 Hazards: Enhances combustion, liquid
extremely enhances combustion.
 Placarded: Yellow with Flaming Ball.
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Flammable
 Liquids
Liquids “3.0”
with a flash point below 141 F.
 Examples:
Gasoline, alcohol, acetone,
pyrophoric liquids.

Hazards: Fire, toxicity, BLEVE.
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Combustible
Liquids
 Liquids
with a flash point between 141
F and 200 F.
 Examples:
Pine oils, fuel oil, chlorinated
solvents.

Hazards: Fire, toxicity, BLEVE.
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Flammable
Solids “4.1”
 Solids
likely to cause fires through
friction, retained heat, or are ignitable.
 Examples: (1 Wetted explosives, 2 Selfreactive materials, 3 Readily Combustible
solids) nitrocellulose, fuses, magnesium
pellets.

Hazards: Fire, exothermic decomposition.
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Spontaneously
Combustible
Material “4.2”
 Materials

when exposed to air may burn.
Examples: (1 Pyrophoric meterial, 2 Self heating
material) aluminum alkyls, white phosphorus,
charcoal briquettes.
 Hazards: Exposure of these materials to air
can cause them to burst into flame, or to self
heat to the point of igniting other materials.
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Dangerous
When Wet Material
“4.3”
that react with water. (1 The
reaction produces spontaneous flammability
or, 2 The reaction produces flammable gas.
 Examples: Sodium hydride, calcium
carbide, potassium metal alloys.
 Materials

Hazards: Use of water on these materials can
cause unwanted reactions or increase fire
spread.
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Oxidizers
 Materials
“5.1”
that yield Oxygen (O2).
 Examples:
Chlorates, permanganates,
nitrates.

Hazards: Can greatly increase combustion of
flammable materials, also materials with
these compounds have the potential to
provide both the fuel and oxygen legs of the
fire triangle.
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Organic
Peroxides “5.2”
 Materials
containing surplus Oxygen
plus a hydrocarbon.
 Examples:
Benzoyl peroxide, Methyl ethyl
ketone peroxide.

Hazards: These “unstable” peroxides have
the ability to detonate or deflagrate when
contaminated, heated, or deteriorated.
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Poisonous
Materials / Irritants
“6.1”
 Materials
(other than gases) that are
known or suspected to be either toxic
or irritating to humans.
 Examples:
Parathion , potassium
arsenate, tear gas, xylyl bromide.

Hazards: Exposure to these materials can
cause anything from irritation to death.
 If “Inhalation Hazard” then placarded in
any quantity.
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Etiological Agents
or Infectious
Organisms “6.2”
 Materials
that pose a health threat to
the public due to infectious abilities.
 Examples: Anthrax,
blood or body fluid
contaminated equipment, AIDS, hepatitis.

Hazards: long term disability from the
disease process.
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Radioactive
 Radioactive
Materials “7”
I
 Materials
that give off >= 0.5 millirems/hr.
on the outside of the container.

Examples: Chromium 51
 Hazards: Radiation exposure.
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Radioactive
 Radioactive
Materials “7”
II
 Materials
that give off >= 0.5 but <= 1.0
millirems/hr. at 3 feet or less from the
surface of the container.

Examples: Iodine 131
 Hazards: Radiation exposure
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Radioactive
 Radioactive
Materials “7”
III
 Materials
that give off >= 50 millirems/hr.
at container surface, or >= 1.0
millirems/hr. at 3 feet away from the
container surface.

Examples: Cobalt 60, Strontium 90.
 Hazards: Radiation exposure
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Corrosives
“8”
 Materials:
Liquids or solids that can
damage human tissue or steel on
contact.
 Examples:
Sulfuric acid, hydrochloric
acid, sodium hydroxide, potassium
hydroxide.

Hazards: Damage to skin or metals by a
corrosive effect.
HAZ MAT CLASSES
 Miscellaneous
Hazardous Materials “9”
 Materials
which could cause annoyance or
discomfort to flight crew members, any
material subjected to DOT requirements
not covered by any other classification.
 Examples: Adipic acid, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s) molten sulfur.

Hazards: Various.
Haz Mat Classes - Other
Regulated Materials (ORM’s)
 ORM-A (“6.1”)
 Materials
with anesthetic,
irritating or noxious properties.
 Examples:
 Hazards:
Chloroform.
Anesthetics, irritants, other
types of annoyances.
Haz Mat Classes - Other
Regulated Materials (ORM’s)
 ORM-B
(“8”)
 Materials
that can cause significant
damage to transport vehicles
(Aluminum) if released.
 Examples:
Metallic mercury, copper
chloride.

Hazards: Poisoning, damage to container or
transport.
Haz Mat Classes - Other
Regulated Materials (ORM’s)
 ORM-C
(“9”)
 Materials
unsuitable for shipment
unless properly packaged and
identified.
 Examples:
 Hazards:
Various.
Haz Mat Classes - Other
Regulated Materials (ORM’s)
 ORM-D
 Materials
that present with limited
hazards.
 Examples:
Small arms ammunition,
and consumer commodities.
 Hazards:
Various.
Haz Mat Classes - Other
Regulated Materials (ORM’s)
 ORM-E
(“9”)
 Materials
not otherwise specified
elsewhere, Including hazardous wastes.
 Examples:
Hazardous wastes.
 Hazards: Ignitability, corrosivity,
reactivity, EPA toxicity, meets the
TLEP (Toxic leachable extraction
procedure).
HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Occupancies
 Who
is the primary occupant?
 Industry,
manufacturing, storage,
business, residence, service, special.
 What
is the primary “product”?
 Raw
materials, finished foods, synthetics,
plastics, chemicals, consumer goods,
industrial goods, commercial products.
HAZ MAT INDICATORS

Location (s) Where Hazardous Materials
Incidents may occur.
 Roadways
 Railways
 Waterways
 Airways
 Pipelines
 Fixed Facilities
HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Container
 Boxes,
Shapes and Size.
drums, barrels, pails, cans, bottles.
 Dewars, Cylanders, carboys, portable tanks, tote
tanks.
 Radioactive-fiberboard boxes, steel containers,
lead or parafin lined containers
 Intermodal containers, semi-trailers, dry bulk
carriers, intermodal trailers.
 Highway containers, railway containers.
HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Highway
 MC
Cargo Tank Trailers
306 DOT 406
 Atmospheric
pressure
 Elliptical end profile
 Rollover protection
 Bottom mounted control box
 Normally aluminum construction
HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Highway
 MC
Cargo Tank Trailers
307 / DOT 407
 Low
pressure <= 40 psi @ 70 F
 Round or horseshoe end profile
 Internal stiffeners
 Often double shelled
 Usually a single top manhole
HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Highway
 MC
Cargo Tank Trailers
312 / DOT 412
 Pressure
not exceeding 75 psi
 Exterior stiffening rings
 Circular end profile
 Top loading and unloading stations
 Exterior piping
 “Corrosive carriers”
HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Highway
 MC
Cargo Tank Trailers
331
 Pressure
between 100-500 psi
 Transports “liquefied” compressed gases
 Circular cross sections
 Hemispherical ends
 Bolted manhole at upper rear of trailer
 Bottom loading and unloading stations
HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Highway
 Tube
Cargo Tank Trailers
Trailers (High Pressure)
 Pressures
between 600-5,000 psi
 Carry compressed gases
 Usually several horizontal tubes
HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Highway
 MC
Cargo Tank Trailers
338
 Cryogenic
Liquid carriers
 Contain liquefied gases
 Large bulky tanks
 Piping in flat rear section of the tank
 Enclosed loading and unloading stations,
rear or side.
HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Highway
 Dry
Cargo Tank Trailers
Bulk Carriers
 Normally
don’t transport hazardous
materials
 V-shaped bottom outlets
 Molten
Product Carriers
 Normally
carry molten roducts (ie. sulfur)
 Large insulated metal containers
HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Rail
Cars
 Box
Cars
 Constructed
of steel and wood
 Can transport almost any commodity
 Often difficult to identify the specific
commodity carried
HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Rail
Cars
 Containers
on flat cars /trailers on flat
cars (COFC’s / TOFC’s)
 Intermodal
containers designed for air,
rail, highway, or sea transport.
 Highway trailers riding on flat cars
 Contents can be any commodity shipped
by this medium
 Identification can be hampered by
COFC’s being stacked in “well” cars
HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Rail
Cars
 Non-pressure
 Exposed
cars
piping, fittings, and dome covers.
 May have multiple compartments.
 Pressure usually < 100 psi.
 Transport general service, caustics, corn
syrup, alcohol, etc.
HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Rail
Cars
 Pressurized
 No
exposed piping, or fittings.
 Protective housing on top.
 Normally are not compartmentalized.
 May be insulated.
 Transport flammables, poisons, liquefied
compressed gases, etc.
 Pressures of 100 - 600 psi.
HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Rail
Cars
 Cryogenic
Contains temperature minus 130 degrees F or
lower.
 Containers are “tank within a tank” Insulated
with a vacuum between the tanks.
 Contents are protected for 30 days in this
arrangement.
 Fittings and PRDs are located in ground level
cabinets located on the side or ends of the tank.

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
Systems
 DOT
Hazard Class (located at the
bottom of DOT Placards)
Class 1 = Explosives
 Class 2.1 = Flammable Gases (Compressed)
 Class 2.2 = Non-Flammable, Non-Poisonous
gases (Compressed).
 Class 2.3 = Poisonous gases (Compressed).
(Poison “A”)
 Class 3 = Flammable or Combustible liquids.

HAZ MAT INDICATORS

Marking Systems
 DOT Hazard Class (located at the
bottom of DOT Placards)
 Class
4.1 = Flammable Solids
 Class 4.2 = Spontaneously combustible
solids
 Class 4.3 = Dangerous when wet materials
 Class 5.1 = Oxidizers
 Class 5.2 = Organic Peroxides
HAZ MAT INDICATORS

Marking Systems
 DOT
Hazard Class (located on the bottom of
DOT placards)
Class 6.1 = Poisonous material (other than gases)
 Class 6.2 = Infectious substances
 Class 7 = Radioactive materials
 Class 8 = Corrosive materials
 Class 9 = Miscellaneous hazardous materials
 ORM-D Materials with limited transportation
hazards due to form, quantity, and packaging.

HAZ MAT INDICATORS

Marking Systems
 United
Nations / North American (UN/NA)
numbers
Four digit number assigned to general catagories
of hazards.
 Identified as the numbers located in the middle
of DOT Placards.
 Some UN/NA numbers relate to specific
materials.
 Can be located in references like the Emergency
Response Guidebook (ERG).

HAZ MAT INDICATORS

Marking Systems
 NFPA 704-M
System
Used for fixed facilities.
 Four Diamond configuration.
 Color & numeric coding





BLUE = HEALTH
RED = FLAMMABILITY
YELLOW = REACTIVITY
WHITE = SPECIAL HAZARD
Identifies the highest hazard present.
 Is non-specific in material identification.

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
Systems
 NFPA 704-M
 Numeric
System
rating system
USED FOR HEALTH, FLAMMABILITY, &
REACTIVITY.
 0 - 4 NUMERIC ASSIGNMENT FOR
HAZARD SEVERITY.
 0 = NONE / LEAST
 4 = HIGHEST / EXTREME

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
Systems
 NFPA 704-M
 Special
System
hazard diamond (WHITE)
OXY = OXIDIZER
 W = DANGEROUS WHEN WET

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
Systems
 Pipeline
Markers
 Locations:
RAILROAD CROSSINGS
 PUBLIC ROAD CROSSINGS
 ALONG THE PIPELINE

 Markings:
“WARNING”
 COMMODITY INFORMATION
 CARRIER NAME, AND PHONE NUMBER

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
Systems
 Agricultural
 Signal
Chemicals and Pesticides
Words
DANGER / POISON
 WARNING
 CAUTION

 Extremely
Flammable (if flash point is
below 80 degrees F)
 EPA Registration number
 EPA Establishment number
HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
Systems
 Agricultural
Chemicals and Pesticides
 Miscellaneous
Information
ROUTE OF ENTRY
 STORAGE REQUIREMENTS
 DISPOSAL INFORMATION
 FIRST AID INFORMATION
 POISONING ANTIDOTE INFORMATION

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding System
Indicates primary hazard class of the material.
 Used for loads >= 1,001 pounds.
 Placards are located on all 4 sides of the vehicle
 The following commodities must be placarded in
any amount:
 1 - EXPLOSIVES “A” & “B” “1.1 - 1.3”,
2 - POISON “A” “2.3”, 3 - RADIOACTIVE
III, 4 - DANGEROUS WHEN WET,
5 - POISON “INHALATION HAZARD”
“6.1”.

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding
 Components





of placards
10 3/4” X 10 3/4” DIAMONDS.
COLOR CODED.
SYMBOL.
WORD(S).
IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS (UN/NA NUMBERS).
HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding
 EXPLOSIVES
UN CLASS NUMBER = “A”, “B”, “C”, (“1”
= 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5,, 1.6)
 COLOR = ORANGE
 SYMBOL = EXPLODING BOMB
 WORD(S) = EXPLOSIVES, BLASTING
AGENTS

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding
 Poison
Gas
UN CLASS NUMBER = “2”
 COLOR = WHITE BACKGROUND
 SYMBOL = SKULL AND CROSSBONES
 WORD(S) = POISON GAS

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding
 Flammable
Gas
UN CLASS NUMBER = “2”
 COLOR = RED BACKGROUND
 SYMBOL = FLAME
 WORD(S) = FLAMMABLE GAS

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding
 Non-Flammable
Gas
UN CLASS NUMBER = “2”
 COLOR = GREEN BACKGROUND
 SYMBOL = GAS CYLINDER
 WORD(S) = NON-FLAMMABLE GAS

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding
 Chlorine
UN CLASS NUMBER = “2”
 COLOR = WHITE BACKGROUND
 SYMBOL = SKULL & CROSSBONES
 WORD(S) = CHLORINE

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding
 Oxygen
(Liquified)
UN CLASS NUMBER = “2”
 COLOR = YELLOW BACKGROUND
 SYMBOL = FLAMING “O”
 WORD(S) = OXYGEN

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding
 Flammable
Liquids
UN CLASS NUMBER = “3”
 COLOR = RED BACKGROUND
 SYMBOL = WHITE FLAME
 WORD(S) = FLAMMABLE

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding
 Combustible
Liquids
UN CLASS NUMBER = “3”
 COLOR = RED BACKGROUND
 SYMBOL = WHITE FLAME
 WORD(S) = COMBUSTIBLE

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding
 Flammable
Solid
UN CLASS NUMBER = “4”
 COLOR = RED & WHITE VERTICAL
STRIPES BACKGROUND
 SYMBOL = BLACK FLAME
 WORD(S) = FLAMMABLE SOLID

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding
 Spontaneously
Combustible
UN CLASS NUMBER = “4”
 COLOR = WHITE OVER RED 1/2 & 1/2
BACKGROUND
 SYMBOL = BLACK FLAME
 WORD(S) = SPONTANEOUSLY
COMBUSTIBLE

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding
 Dangerous
When Wet (Flammable Solid)
UN CLASS NUMBER = “4”
 COLOR = 1- BLUE OVER RED & WHITE
VERTICAL STRIPE, 2 - ALL BLUE
BACKGROUND
 SYMBOL = SLASH THRU W, WHITE
FLAME
 WORD(S) = 1-FLAMMABLE SOLID,
2-DANGEROUS WHEN WET

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding
 Oxidizer
UN CLASS NUMBER = “5” & “5.1”
 COLOR = YELLOW BACKGROUND
 SYMBOL = FLAMING “O”
 WORD(S) = OXIDIZER

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding
 Organic
Peroxide
UN CLASS NUMBER = “5” & “5.2”
 COLOR = YELLOW BACKGROUND
 SYMBOL = FLAMING “O”
 WORD(S) = ORGANIC PEROXIDE

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding
 Poison
UN CLASS NUMBER = “6”
 COLOR = WHITE BACKGROUND
 SYMBOL = SKULL & CROSSBONES
 WORD(S) = POISON

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding
 Keep
Away From Foodstuffs
UN CLASS NUMBER = “6”
 COLOR = WHITE BACKGROUND
 SYMBOL = WHEAT GRAIN & ST.
ANDREWS CROSS
 WORD(S) = HARMFUL STOW AWAY
FROM FOODSTUFFS

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding
 Radioactives
UN CLASS NUMBER “7”
 COLOR = YELLOW / WHITE (1/2 & 1/2)
BACKGROUND
 SYMBOL = BLACK PROPELLOR
 WORD(S) = RADIOACTIVE

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding
 Corrosive
UN CLASS NUMBER = “8”
 COLOR = WHITE ON BLACK
BACKGROUND
 SYMBOL = TEST TUBES DRIPPING ON
HAND AND STEEL
 WORD(S) = CORROSIVE

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT
Systems
Placarding
 Dangerous
UN CLASS NUMBER = NO CLASS WITH
HM 181
 COLOR = WHITE AND RED
BACKGROUND
 SYMBOL =
 WORD(S) = DANGEROUS

HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Marking
 DOT

Placarding
Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances




Systems
UN CLASS NUMBER = “9”
COLOR = BLACK OVER WHITE
SYMBOL = BLACK & WHITE VERTICAL
STRIPES TOP HALF OF PLACARD
Residue Placards




UN CLASS NUMBER = VARIES
COLOR = VARIOUS
SYMBOL = VARIOUS
WORD(S) = RESIDUE
HAZ MAT INDICATORS

Printed Resource Materials
 Material

Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Information contained on MSDS




CHEMICAL NAME, CHEMICAL FORMULA,
CHEMICAL FAMILY, COMMON SYNONYM
MANUFACTURERS NAME, EMERGENCY PHONE
NUMBER, HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS.
EXPOSURE LIMITS, PHYSICAL DATA, FIRE &
EXPLOSION HAZARDS, & HEALTH HAZARDS.
REACTIVITY DATA, SPILL & LEAK
PROCEDURES, PROTECTION INFORMATION,
SPECIAL INFORMATION.
HAZ MAT INDICATORS

Printed Resource Materials
 Materials
Safety Data Sheets
Mandated by 29 CFR 1910.1200
 Location: 1 - In all work areas, 2 - At a central
location, employees must have free access to
MSDS.
 Must be provided to the jurisdiction having
authority upon request.
 Are produced by the manufacturers
 Are not required to employ a consistent format.

HAZ MAT INDICATORS

Printed Resource Materials
 Shipping
Papers
Highway - “Bill of Lading”. Within arms reach of
the driver.
 Rail - “Waybill / Consist”. With the conductor,
engine or caboose.
 Air - “Airbill”. Within reach of the pilot.
 Water - “Dangerous Cargo Manifest”. On the
bridge or pilot house. Or in “mail box” on a
barge.

HAZ MAT INDICATORS

Printed Resource Materials
 Shipping

Information on shipping papers






Papers
PROPER SHIPPING NAME.
CLASSIFICATION.
DOT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
HIGHLIGHTING THE HAZARDOUS
COMMODITY.
SHIPPERS NAME & ADDRESS, CONSIGNEES
NAME & ADDRESS.
In emergencies the shipping papers should be
located where indicated, but not always, Caveat
Emptor.
HAZ MAT INDICATORS

Miscellaneous Clues to Haz Mat
Identification
 Bystander reports, Visual & physical
chemical indicators, Reported odors,
Vapor clouds, Fire or Chemical
reactions, Pooled liquids, Release
sounds, Condensation, & Victims or
casualties from exposure.
HAZ MAT INDICATORS
 Limitations
 Visual
of using senses.
is a safe sense to employ from a
distance.
 The senses of smell, taste, or touch, are
unacceptable methods of identifying
hazardous materials.
 The auditory sense is not often an
accurate measure of the hazards
present at the scene of an incident.
Surveying the Hazardous
Materials Incident

Difficulties in determining the specific
chemical names.
 Shipping
papers may be unavailable.
 Inventories may be unavailable.
 Contents of the containers may be unknown.
 There may be conflicting reports of contents.
 There may be different or inaccurate lists of
commodities.
Surveying the Hazardous
Materials Incident

Sources of Information
 Transportation
Placards & Labels.
 Shipping Papers.
 The operator of the vehicles.
 Reporting marks on containers (rail & highway).
 Consignee, Shipper.
 ERG (Emergency Response Guidebook).
 CHEMTREC

Surveying the Hazardous
Materials Incident

Fixed Facilities
 Facility
manager.
 MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet).
 Inspection Records.
 Pre-incident tours & surveys.
 Technical safety specialists.
 Employees.
 NFPA 704 M
Surveying the Hazardous
Materials Incident

Survey cautions!!!!!
 Recognition
and identification are the
primary tools needed by the response
personnel.
 The only difference between victims and
responders is merely a matter of perspective,
location, and identification.
 If the responder cannot recognize and
identify the presence of hazardous materials
then the incident becomes excerebrated and
chaos will rule.
Ways Hazardous
Materials Harm
Thermal
 Mechanical
 Poisonous
 Corrosive

Asphyxiation
 Radiation
 Etiological
 Psychological

Collecting Hazard Information

Physical Properties of Hazardous
Materials (Thermal)
 Flash
Point
Minimum temperature at which a flammable
liquid gives off vapors to form an ignitable
mixture with air with an outside source of
ignition.
 Fire Point
 Temperature at which vapors will support
combustion.
 Usually a few degrees above flash point.

Collecting Hazard Information

Physical Properties of Hazardous
Materials (Thermal)
 Ignition
Temperature.
Energy required to ignite a substance without an
outside source of ignition.
 This temperature is equivalent to the “autoignition” temperature.
 The ignition temperature is a measure of the
energy required to ignite a substance.

Collecting Hazard Information

Physical Properties of Hazardous
Materials (Thermal)
 Flammability

Range
Range of flammable vapors in air.



LEL / LFL (LOWER EXPLOSIVE LIMIT / LOWER
FLAMMABLE LIMIT) THE LOWEST
CONCENTRATION OF VAPOR IN AIR THAT CAN
SUPPORT COMBUSTION.
UEL / UFL (UPPER EXPLOSIVE LIMIT / UPPER
FLAMMABLE LIMIT)THE HIGHEST
CONCENTRATION OF VAPOR IN AIR THAT CAN
SUPPORT COMBUSTION.
THE FLAMMABLE RANGE IS THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN THE LEL/LFL & UEL/UFL.
COLLECTING HAZARD
INFORMATION

Physical Properties of Hazardous
Materials
 Specific

Gravity
The weight of a liquid or solid in relation to
water. Water is arbitrarily assigned a value of
1.0.


COMMODITIES WITH A SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF
< 1.0 WILL FLOAT ON WATER.
COMMODITIES WITH A SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF
> 1.O WILL SINK IN WATER.
Collecting Hazard Information

Physical Porperties of Hazardous
Materials
 Vapor

Density
The weight of a vapor or gas in relation to an
equal volume of air. Air is arbitrarily assigned a
value of 1.0


VAPORS AND GASES <1.0 WILL TEND TO RISE.
VAPORS AND GASES >1.0 WILL TEND TO SINK.
Collecting Hazard Information

Physical Properties of Hazardous
Materials
 Boiling
Point
Temperature at which a liquid changes to a
gas/vapor.
 At the boiling point the vapor pressure of the
substance will be >= atmospheric pressure.
 Boiling point is the measure of thermal energy
exerted on a liquid. Atmospheric pressure will
affect the boiling point accordingly.

Collecting Hazard Information

Physical Properties of Hazardous
Materials
 Vapor

Pressure
The pressure exerted by a liquid in a container at
equillibrium. The point of equillibrium is where a
liquid vaporizes, condenses to the liquid phase
then vaporizes again.

VAPOR PRESSURE IS AFFECTED BY
TEMPERATURE. AS TEMPERATURE INCREASES
- VAPOR PRESSURE ALSO INCREASES.
Collecting Hazard Information

Physical Properties of Hazardous
Materials
 Melting
Point / Freezing Point (MP / FP)
The temperature at which a solid becomes a
liquid.
 Since only vapors burn and solids must be
vaporized to burn a process must occur to make
this possible, the term for a solid changing
directly into a vapor is call sublimation.
 Materials below the MP will be solids, above the
BP will be vapors and those between the two will
be liquids.

Collecting Hazard Information

Physical Conditions of the Scene
 Leaks
or Spills (Thermal Hazards)
May be ignited.
 Eliminate ignition sources.
 Can produce vapor clouds that if ignited will
travel back to the source.
 Determine if the release is continuous, sporadic,
or terminated.

Collecting Hazard Information

Physical Conditions of Containers
 Container
Failure (Thermal & Mechanical
Hazards)
Over pressurization.
 Damage to the container structure.
 Sudden Heat Induced Tear(s) [SHIT].
 Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion
(BLEVE)



CAN OCCUR IN CONTAINERS OF FLAMMABLE
OR COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS AT OR ABOVE
THEIR BOILING POINTS.
COMPLETE CONTAINER FAILURE, THIS
FAILURE CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Collecting Hazard Information
 Mechanical
 Explosion
Hazards
shock waves.
 Fragmentation of containers with
flying debris.
 Thermal exposure due to fire or
reaction.
Collecting Hazard Information
 Toxicity
(Poisons)
 Poisons
 Nerve
agents
 Anesthetics
 Narcotics
 All
these agents affect the Central
Nervous System (CNS).
Collecting Hazard Information

Toxicity (Corrosives)
 Corrosives

Acids





CAUSE IMMEDIATE TISSUE DAMAGE.
ARE PAINFUL UPON INITIAL CONTACT.
CAN RESULT IN 1ST, 2ND, OR 3RD DEGREE
CHEMICAL BURNS.
SHOULD BE TREATED WITH COPIOUS
AMOUNTS OF WATER.
BURNING AROUND MUCOSAL MEMBRANES
UPON VAPOR CONTACT.
Collecting Hazard Information

Toxicity (Corrosives)
 Alkalines
/ Bases
Cause delayed tissue damage, saponification.
 Are not immediately painful upon initial contact.
 React with moisture to liberate heat.
 Should be brushed off dry and then treated with
copious amounts of water.
 Can cause more severe damage than acids.

Collecting Hazard Information

Toxicity (Asphyxiants)
 Asphyxiants

Simple Asphyxiants


INERT GASES THAT DISPLACE OXYGEN,
THEREBY CAUSING HYPOXIA AND ANOXIA.
Chemical Asphyxiants


INTERRUPTS THE BODIES ABILITY TO USE
OXYGEN.
EXAMPLES: HYDROGEN SULFIDE, HYDROGEN
CYANIDE.
Collecting Hazard Information

Radiation
 Effects organisms externally and
internally.
 Types of Radiation:
ALPHA
 BETA
 GAMMA
 NEUTRON

Collecting Hazard Information
 Radiation
 ALPHA
 Is
a physical particle.
 Least powerful.
 Low penetrating energy.
 If inhaled or ingested they will cause
Ionizing damage to the cellular structure.
 Small sized (Helium nucleus core).
Collecting Hazard Information
 Radiation
 BETA
Is a physical particle.
 Smaller than Alpha (electron sized).
 Higher penetrating energy.
 Can cause skin damage.
 Exposure through ingestion, inhalation, or
compromised skin surface.
 Level “A” protective clothing with SCBA.

Collecting Hazard Information
 Radiation
 GAMMA
Is an energy beam, not a particle.
 The most dangerous “common” radiation.
 The penetrating energy of Gamma is 100 times
greater than Beta, and 1,000 times greater than
Alpha.
 Causes cellular ionization damage upon
exposure.
 Requires expert specialized handling, shielding,
and expertise.

Collecting Hazard Information
 Radiation
 NEUTRON
 The
highest energy radiation.
 Neutron rays are rare.
 These rays penetrate virtually everything.
Collecting Hazard Information
 Radiation
 Protection
 Time
from Radiation
- Limit exposure duration.
 Distance - As distance increases the
exposure reduces by the square of the
distance.
 Shielding - Material shielding is enhanced
by the density of the shielding material
and the physical thickness of the
shielding.
Collecting Hazard Information
 Radiation
 Health
Hazards
Radiation Sickness; caused by exposure to large
doses of readiation, can take days or weeks for
symptoms to appear.
 Radiation injury; usually localized, normally
confined to the hands.
 Radiation Poisoning; Caused by internal
absorption of Alpha or Beta particles.

Collecting Hazard Information

Etiologic Hazards
 Carcinogens;
Cancer causing agents.
 Mutagens; Agent that cause genetic
mutations.
 Teratogens; Agents that have
deleteriouseffects upon a fetus in vivo.

These health hazards can be delayed for
years or decades, mutagens may not appear
for 1 - 2 generations.
Collecting Hazard Information

Psychological
 The
psychological impact from responding
to hazardous materials incidents can have a
profound effect upon the responder. These
effects will differ from person to person.
 Critical Incident Stress Dibriefings are often
associated with extreme incidents. This is the
type of pro-active briefings that can alleviate
the stress that first responders may
encounter at incidents.
Collecting Hazard Information
 Routes
of Entry
 Inhalation
 Ingestion
 Injection
 Absorption
Collecting Hazard Information

Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
 DOT
Identification number - Yellow section.
 Chemical Name - Blue section.
 Initial Evacuation Distances - Green section.
 Listed hazards
FIRE OR EXPLOSION
 HEALTH


HAZARDS ARE LISTED BY SEVERITY (MOST
SEVERE FIRST), THIS DOES NOT
Incident Planning

Local Emergency Planning Commission
 Should
contain all the information required
by the Federal, State, & Local Planning
agencies.
Local emergency response plans should be kept
in a centralized location that allows for easy
access by all parties.
 Plans should be reviewed at least annually by
members of all response agencies.



ANY CHANGES TO PLANS NEED TO BE DISTRIBUTED
TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE RESPONSE COMMUNITY.
Normally the local Emergency Management
Agency (EMA formerly ESDA) will be
responsible for maintaining the plans.
Incident Planning

Standard Operating Procedures /
Guidelines
 Required
by 29 CFR 1910.120, & 40 CFR
311.
 All Fire Departments / Districts should have
written SOP’s that provide guidelines to
response personnel.
 SOP’s should be concise, easy to read, and
simple to implement. Complex SOP’s tend to
result in diminished returns of effectiveness.
 SOP’s need to be reviewed at least annually
by all department personnel.
Incident Planning
 ERG
Protective Action Distances
 Protective
action distances located in
the orange bordered section are for
initial incident response, or if material
is involved in fire.
 Protective action distances located in
the green bordered section are
employed with actual or potential leaks
of materials that are not on fire.
Incident Planning

Awareness Incident Response Role(s)
Recognize the “material” /
“incident” is hazardous.
 ISOLATE - Protect responders and the
public from further harm (SECURE THE
SCENE).
 NOTIFY - Alert the appropriate agencies.
 MITIGATE - At the awareness level
mitigation consists of 1 - 3.
 TERMINATE - Ending the incident in an
orderly fashion.
 IDENTIFY -
Incident Planning

Precautions at Incidents
 Rendering
Medical Care: During treatment
of “contaminated” victims or personnel the
highest priority is protection of responders,
and EMS personnel.
 Uncontrolled ignition sources.

VEHICLES, PILOT LIGHTS, SMOKING
MATERIALS, FLARE OR FUSEES,
FRICTION, CHEMICAL REACTION, &
ENERGIZED ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT.
Incident Planning

Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
 Definitions:
 Isolate
and deny entry.
UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL NOT
ALLOWED IN THE ISOLATION AREA.
 AFTER IDENTIFICATION - ISOLATION
IS THE NEXT PRIORITY.
 EMPLOYED TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE
INCIDENT AREA.

Incident Planning

Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
 Definitions:

Evacuate - Removal of people from threatened
area to a safe haven.






REQUIRES LEAD TIME TO WARN THE
POPULANCE.
IF POSSIBLE AN EXCELLENT PROTECTIVE
ACTION.
INITIATE AS CLOSE TO THE INCIDENT AS
POSSIBLE.
EXPAND THE AREA DOWNWIND AND
CROSSWIND AS REQUIRED.
SEND EVACUEES TO UPWIND HAVENS BY
DESIGNATED ROUTES.
KEEP THE EVACUATION CONTROLLED AND
ORDERLY.
Incident Planning

Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
 Definitions

In-Place Protection / Protection in Place. To
contain people within the structures they’re in,
until the danger passes.





CLOSE ALL EXTERIOR OPENINGS.
SECURE HVAC AND AIR EXCHANGE UNITS.
EVACUATION OPTION IS TOO HAZARDOUS.
NOT ACCEPTABLE IF THE VAPORS ARE
EXPLOSIVE.
BUILDINGS ARE SAFER THAN VEHICLES, BUT
MAY BE EMPLOYED FOR SHORT TIME
PERIODS.
Incident Planning

Isolation Zones
 Shape
of the isolation zones.
Initial isolation is circular.
 Protective action zones. Rectangular / Triangular
from point of origin.

Incident Planning

Isolation Zones
 Spill

Small spills


sizes
INVOLVES A SINGLE SMALL PACKAGE (<55
GALLONS), SMALL CYLINDER, OR SMALL
LEAK FROM A LARGE CONTAINER.
Large spills

INVOLVES SPILLS OF GREATER MAGNITUDE
FROM A LARGE CONTAINER OR NUMEROUS
SMALL CONTAINERS.
Incident Planning
 Isolation
Zones
 Techniques
employed to secure the
scene:
 Physical
barriers.
 Fire Service personnel.
 Law Enforcement personnel.
 Use of media.