EPA 540/G-90/003
Directive: 9285.3-05
September 1990
Hazmat Team
Planning Guidance
Office of Emergency and Remedial Response
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
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NOTICE
The policies and procedures set forth in this document are intended solely to provide guidance. This guidance
does not constitute rulemaking by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and may not be relied
on to create a substantive or procedural right enforceable by any party in litigation with the United States.
EPA may take action that is at variance with the policies and procedures in these guidelines and may change
them at any time without public notice. The mention of trade names or commercial products m this manua
is for illustration purposes and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by EPA. cost
estimates in this document are based on 1989 prices. Contents of this manual do not necessarily reflect the
views and policies of EPA.
ORDERING INFORMATION
Additional copies of this document can be obtained from:
ORD Publications
Center for Environmental Research Information
26 W. Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
(513) 569-7562
(FTS) 684-7562
Singe copies are available without charge. Ask for publication number EPA/540/G-90/003. In addition, this
document is archived with the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). The document may be
purchased by calling NTIS at (703) 487-4650.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... . ................................................. l
2.0 DO YOU NEED A HAZMAT TEAM? ......................................... 3
2.1 Conducting a Hazards Analysis ..................................... 3
2.1.1 Hazards Identification ..................................... 3
2.1.2 Vulnerability Analysis ...................................... 6
2.1.3 Risk Analysis ............................................ 6
2.2 Do You Need a Hazmat Team? .................................... 6
3.0 TRAINING AND EQUIPPING YOUR HAZMAT TEAM ........................... 7
3.1 Training [[[ 7
3.2 Medical Monitoring ............................................. 9
3.3 Equipment .............................................. ..... 10
3.3.1 Monitoring Equipment ................ . ................... 10
3.3.2 Personal Protective Equipment .............................. 11
3.3.3 Containment Equipment ............ ...................... 13
3.4 Summary of Costs
4.0 PREPARING RESPONSE PLANS
AND STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES ................................ 15
4.1 Conclusion
APPENDIX A Beginning the Hazards Analysis Process ............................. 17
APPENDIX B Medical Program .............................................. 29
APPENDIX C Hazardous Materials Incident: First-On-Scene Checklist ................. 53
APPENDIX D U.S. EPA Regional Superfund Training Contacts ...................... 55
APPENDIX E Selected References ............................................. 57
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LIST OF TABLES
No. Title PagC
1 Personal Protective Equipment, Approximate Costs 12
2 Containment Equipment and Tools, Approximate Costs 13
B-l Recommended Medical Program
B-2 Common Chemical Toxicants Found at Hazardous Waste Sites,
Their Health Effects and Medical Monitoring 34
43
B-3 Tests Frequently Performed by Occupational Physicians
B-4 Signs and Symptoms of Chemical Exposure and
Heat Stress that Indicate Potential Medical Emergencies 48
LIST OF FIGURES
No. Title Pa*e
A-l Hypothetical Dose-Response Curve of Two Chemicals, A and B
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
This manual will assist local fire departments in
identifying, acquiring, and maintaining the
hazardous materials response equipment and
trained personnel appropriate for their locale.
This manual offers guidance in the following areas:
Determining actual hazmat response
requirements;
Establishing the goals and levels of
expertise needed to meet those
requirements;
Estimating the costs and developing a
budget to meet your goals; and
Preparing response plans and standard
operating procedures (SOPs) to include
the entire local response community.
This manual will not provide specific answers to all
your questions. Each locale must plan according
to its own needs as well as its available resources.
Appendix A, Beginning the Hazard Analysis
Process, includes an overview of the extent of
today's hazmat problem. Appendix C contains a
Hazardous Materials Incident First-On-Scene
checklist similar to one you should develop for
your response community. Appendix E contains a
selected list of established regulations, standards,
and guidance and reference documents available to
assist you in making informed decisions for your
situation. Appendix F includes the names of some
individuals actively involved in the hazmat
response business. These people can help you plan
goals, identify sources of help, and advise you on
pitfalls to avoid. Keep in mind that the most
successful response programs are often the most
creative in meeting local needs and constraints.
Still interested? Then let's get started!
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2.0 DO YOU NEED A HAZMAT TEAM?
Do you really need a Hazmat Team? What do you
expect it to be capable of doing? How much is it
going to cost to establish and maintain a team?
These are some of the questions that we will try to
help you answer.
2.1 CONDUCTING A HAZARDS ANALYSIS
First you need to develop a realistic picture of the
potential for a hazardous materials incident to
occur in your community by conducting a hazards
analysis. A hazards analysis will help you to:
Identify the facilities that manufacture,
store, and/or use hazardous substances;
Determine the specific properties of the
materials, including their health effects;
Determine how the materials are stored
and/or used, as well as what quantity is
present;
Determine what controls and
countermeasures exist at facilities where
hazardous materials are present (e.g.,
containment, neutralization, facility fire
brigades, hazmat teams, and automatic
alarms);
Identify transportation corridors (e.g.,
highways, waterways, air, and pipelines)
through which hazardous materials are
carried;
Estimate the human population, public
buildings and systems, and environmental
features that would be affected (and the
extent of the effect) in the event of a
release;
Identify the frequency and scope of past
incidents;
Estimate the likelihood of an incident and
the severity of any consequences to human
beings and the environment; and
Understand what your organization would
be expected to do or provide in case of an
incident.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA), and the U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) have published the
Technical Guidance for Hazards Analysis. This
publication describes in detail how to conduct a
community-based hazards analysis, with particular
focus on lethal toxic chemicals. The same federal
agencies have also published the Handbook of
Chemical Hazard Analysis Procedures. It provides
an easy to understand overview of chemical
hazards, and guidance on conducting a hazards
analysis for toxic, flammable, and explosive
hazards. You can obtain copies of these guidance
documents and other helpful publications by
contacting the agencies listed in Appendix E,
Selected References.
There are three steps in a hazards analysis:
1. Hazards identification;
2. Vulnerability analysis; and
3. Risk analysis.
We will now describe each of these steps in more
detail.
2.1.1 Hazards Identification
A hazards identification will provide you with
information on the hazardous materials in your
area. It provides you with information on each
material's:
Identity,
Quantity,
Location;
Physical and chemical properties;
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Storage conditions;
Transportation routes; and
Potential hazards.
You can look for this information in a variety of
places, for example:
SARA Title III reports;
Fire department records;
Fire inspection reports;
Transportation data; and
Government agencies and local businesses.
This section describes how each of these
information sources can help you.
SARA Title III Reports
Title III of the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) requires
facilities to report information about hazardous
materials they have on site. (Title III is also called
the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-
Know Act of 1986.)
Section 302 of SARA requires facilities that
produce, use, or store certain quantities of one or
more extremely hazardous substance on EPA's
section 302 list to notify the State Emergency
Response Commission (SERC). The SERC then
notifies the Local Emergency Planning Committee
(LEPC). Facilities must cooperate with LEPCs in
preparing a comprehensive emergency plan for the
district.
Section 311 of SARA requires facilities that must
prepare or have available Material Safety Data
Sheets (MSDSs) under the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) hazards
communication regulations to submit either copies
of their MSDSs, or a list of MSDS chemicals to
the LEPC, the SERC, and the local fire
department
MSDSs provide the following information:
The chemical name;
Its basic characteristics, for example:
- toxicity, corrosivity, reactivity,
- known health effects;
-- basic precautions in handling, storage,
and use;
basic countermeasures to take in the
event of fire, explosion, or leak; and
~ basic protective equipment to
minimize exposure to a release.
More detailed information on MSDSs and sample
information provided by MSDSs is contained in
Appendix A, Beginning the Hazards Analysis
Process.
Section 312 of SARA requires that some facilities
submit Tier 1 and/or Tier 2 reports. Tier 1 reports
contain aggregate information on the quantity and
general location of chemicals (listed by categories)
stored on site. Tier 2 reports provide substance-
specific information on the quantity of the
hazardous materials present on site, how they are
stored, and their location.
Title III requires that your LEPC make
information contained in these various reports
available to you, unless the information has been
protected by trade secret provisions.
Fire Department Records
Some of the information you need may already be
in your fire department files. Review the recent
history of your responses to hazardous materials
incidents. Focus on the past five years. Go
through your files carefully! Unless you have
maintained very precise files, the information you
need can be buried under such classifications as
"Washdown," "Stand-by," "Odor Investigations," or
the infamous "Other." Look at the information in
these reports for clues to the presence of a
hazardous material. Even though you may not be
able immediately to identify the specific materials,
any situation where something unusual occurred
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during normal fire fighting operations (e.g., a
turnout coat developing holes) can indicate that a
hazardous material was present. Try to assemble
the following information:
What material was present?
How much material was present?
How much material was released or
involved in the problem?
What injuries and/or deaths happened?
What environmental effects, if any, were
there?
What was the potential for additional
injury or damage in each case?
What was the actual cost incurred as a
result of the incident (e.g., costs related to
response, cleanup, and system
disruptions)?
How may incidents have occurred?
Fire Inspection Reports
Fire department pre-plans are developed around
special problems in your jurisdiction and may
contain information about hazardous materials.
Local fire inspection reports typically list
substances found in buildings that could present
special or unusual problems, concerning public
safety, as well as provide an assessment of the
ability of emergency responders to handle incidents
at that building. These inspections are normally
conducted on an annual basis, with more frequent
inspections for more hazardous buildings. These
inspections focus on substances that are not on
official lists of hazardous materials or are not
present in reportable quantities, but are considered
hazardous to the responders.
Finally, fire inspection reports may help you
develop a picture of the rate of growth of
hazardous materials in your community.
Transportation Data
Police and fire department personnel may have a
good idea of what hazardous materials pass
through a community, -the routes most frequently
used, and the frequency of transport. If you have a
truck weigh station in or around your jurisdiction,
you may be able to obtain information regarding
the number of placarded loads moving through
your area. Further information regarding the load
contents may be available through the carrier or
shipper's office.
Specific guidance on gathering information about
hazmat transportation in your community is
included in the Handbook of Chemical Hazard
Analysis Procedures mentioned earlier and listed in
Appendix E, Selected References.
Government Agencies and Local Businesses
Now that you have reviewed your own files, it may
be useful to contact the local health department.
Another useful contact may be the waste treatment
facility in your jurisdiction, if you have such a
facility. Although they may not have dealt with
large quantities of hazardous materials, these
people may have investigated hazmat problems in
the past.
Try to document the types and quantities of
hazardous materials involved, the potential for
harm associated with each incident, and the total
number of past incidents in the community. In
addition, try to contact any other agency or
business in your jurisdiction that may have dealt
with these materials.
Other sources of historical data for your
jurisdiction include your state department of
natural resources, your state emergency
management agency, and EPA. These sources
frequently maintain a record of all incidents that
occurred within the past ten years, recorded by the
counties in which they occurred.
When you complete the hazards identification step,
you should have a list of the facilities with
hazardous materials on site, the location and
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quantity of the chemicals, the health hazards posed
by the chemicals, and the routes used to transport
the hazardous materials through your community.
The next step is to determine who might be
affected by an incident.
2.1.2 Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability analysis identifies the geographic
zone of your community that may be affected by a
spill or release of a hazardous material; the
populations within the zone that may be subject to
harm; specific environmental dangers; and critical
buildings in the zone (e.g., hospitals, schools) that
are at risk.
You can obtain more detailed information on how
to conduct a vulnerability analysis from the
Technical Guidance for Hazards Analysis mentioned
previously and listed in Appendix E, Selected
References.
2.1.3 Risk Analysis
The risk analysis provides you with a basis to judge
the likelihood of a release, as well as the severity
of consequences to humans and the environment
if an incident occurs. The risk analysis gives you a
basis for comparing sites to establish major areas
of emphasis for emergency planning.
You can obtain more detailed information on how
to conduct a risk analysis from the Technical
Guidance for Hazards Analysis.
2.2 DO YOU NEED A HAZMAT TEAM ?
You should now be developing a reasonably
accurate picture of the hazardous materials in your
community and the potential threat these
chemicals pose. Your data should be helping you
answer two very important questions:
Do you need a Hazmat Team?
If so, what level of expertise do they need?
If you determine that the hazardous materials in
your area pose a threat to your community, there
are a number of ways to address the problem.
For example, you could ignore the existence of the
hazardous materials, you could rely on the
industrial sector to prepare for the occurrence of
a hazardous release, or you could develop your
public response capabilities.
Some communities will need to start from "ground
zero" and develop a coordinated "hazmat response
community" that includes fire fighters, the police,
hospitals and medical personnel, the media, public
works personnel, volunteers, contractors, and
others. The Hazardous Materials Emergency
Planning Guide (NRT-1), published by the National
Response Team, includes extensive guidance to
help you set up a comprehensive local emergency
plan. Only when your response "community" is
fully planned, trained, and operational, will you
develop a more accurate picture of whether you
need a Hazmat Team and what its role would be.
Let's presume that you have decided that your
community needs a Hazmat Team. The next
chapter will provide you with some practical advice
on what you should do next.
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3.0 TRAINING AND EQUIPPING YOUR HAZMAT TEAM
If you think that you need a Hazmat Team, you
should consider the following three areas before
announcing the formation of a team:
Training;
Medical monitoring; and
Equipment (monitoring,
protective, and containment).
personal
In this chapter we describe basic needs and
requirements related to training, medical
monitoring, and equipment, and provide some cost
estimates for each area. Remember: your actual
costs will depend upon your local hazmat situation.
Reference will be made to the following
regulations and standards:
. 29 CFR 1910.120, OSHA Final Rule,
Hazardous Waste Operations and
Emergency Response; and
National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA), Standard 472, Professional
Competence of Responders to Hazardous
Material Incidents.
Refer to Appendix E, Selected References, for
information on how to obtain copies of these
publications. We suggest that you obtain copies of
all publications listed in Appendix E whether you
have decided to start a Hazmat Team or not.
Even if you decide not to have a formal Hazmat
Team, you still have training and operational
obligations to meet!
3.1
TRAINING:
intelligently!
Do the job safely and
If you are going to send someone to evaluate or
control an emergency involving hazardous
materials, that person must receive training to do
the job safely and intelligently. In Standard 472,
the National Fire Protection Association
recommends that hazmat responders receive the
appropriate training for each of-the following four
levels:
First Responder Awareness Level
First Responder Operations Level
Hazardous Materials Technician
Hazardous Materials Specialist
A Hazmat Team should be trained to the
"Hazardous Materials Technician" level defined by
NFPA Standard 472.
In addition to the NFPA standard, OSHA's
Worker Protection Standards, found in 29 CFR
1910.120, require levels of training, medical
surveillance, personal protective equipment, and
emergency response plans (including the use of a
site-specific incident command system).
According to 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6): Training
shall be based on the duties and function to be
performed by each responder of an emergency
response organization. The skill and knowledge
levels required for all new responders, those hired
after the effective date of this standard, shall be
conveyed to them through training before they are
permitted to take part in actual emergency operations
on an incident. Employees who participate, or are
expected to participate, in emergency response, shall
be given training....
EPA has issued regulations with the same
requirements for hazardous materials responses in
states not covered by OSHA regulations. These
standards are now required for everyone
responding to hazardous materials incidents.
The following is a brief description of each of the
five responder levels in the OSHA Worker
Protection Standards.
First Responder Awareness Level. This level of
training applies to individuals: (1) who are likely to
witness or discover a hazardous materials release;
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and (2) who have received prior training in
initiating an emergency response sequence by
notifying the proper authorities. Individuals at this
level*can take no further action beyond notifying
the authorities of a hazardous materials release.
This is the first step in hazardous materials
training. If you have not yet accomplished this
goal, then this is the place to start the training for
all of your emergency response personnel. This
would also be a good level of training for local
elected officials, industry managers, and any
employees involved in your budgetary development
or approval process. This level of training will
help these individuals to develop an accurate
picture of the hazardous materials problem and the
programs needed to address that problem.
First Responder Operations Level. Individuals at
this level function as part of the initial response
group at the site of an actual or potential
hazardous materials release. They protect nearby
persons, property, and/or the environment from
the effects of the release. They are trained to
respond in a purely defensive manner. They are
not responsible for stopping the release. Rather,
they contain the release, if possible, from a safe
distance, while preventing additional exposures.
This may be the current level of training for your
local fire and police departments, emergency
medical service (EMS) agency, and similar
organizations. If these potential first responders
are not yet at this level, training them should be
your primary goal. A minimum of eight hours of
initial training is required to satisfy this level of
expertise. You must accomplish this before
proceeding with the development of your Hazmat
Team.
Hazardous Materials Technician. Technicians are
responsible for stopping hazardous materials
releases. A technician's goal is to plug, patch, or
in any other way, stop the release to which he has
responded. This is a more aggressive role than
that of a first responder at the operations level.
The OSHA regulations require a minimum of 24
hours of training at the first responder operations
level for hazmat technicians. Technicians must
also demonstrate in the field a certain competency
in these training areas.
If this response level is not compatible with your
understanding of a Hazmat Team, you may have
been envisioning the development of a well-trained
operations level response rather than a formal
Hazmat Team. This is just one reason why you
must determine the actual response needs of your
jurisdiction before proceeding with Hazmat Team
development. If your goals can be met within the
definition of the first responder operations level,
then you probably do not need to incur the
additional costs required for technician training.
However, if you do wish to proceed, you will need
to establish a training program that meets your
needs as well as all OSHA requirements.
Hazardous Materials Specialist. Hazardous
materials specialists respond with and provide
support to hazardous materials technicians. Their
duties parallel those of the hazardous materials
technician. In addition, however, their duties
require a more directed or specific knowledge of
the various substances involved in the response.
Hazardous materials specialists must have training
equal to the technician level and demonstrate
competency in specified areas. Among other
things, they must be familiar with and know how
to implement the relevant local emergency
response plan and must have knowledge of the
state emergency response plan.
i
On-Scene Incident Commander. The On-Scene
Incident Commander (QIC) assumes overall
control of the emergency response incident scene
and coordinates- the activities of the emergency
responders and the communications among them.
The QIC must receive training equivalent to the
first responder operations level and must
demonstrate competency in certain specified areas.
For example, the QIC must know how to
implement the local emergency response plan and
know of state and federal response capabilities;
know and understand the hazards and risks
associated with employees working in chemical
protective clothing; and know and understand the
importance of decontamination procedures.
If you have decided that your community needs
responders trained at least to the level of a
hazardous materials technician, then you have
crossed into the realm of a Hazmat Team.
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Cost of Training
Training costs money, whether it is conducted in
service or on an overtime basis. Indeed, training
costs can make the biggest dent in your Hazmat
Team budget. First, decide on the size of team
you would like to have. Then you can more
accurately estimate the dollars needed to train
personnel to the response level you require. For
example, consider the following:
What degree of coverage do you want
(e.g., 24 hours per day, 7 days a week; 8
hours per day, 5 days a week)?
Who will cover vacations, sick leave, or
other absences?
Will your team always be on duty, or
sometimes off duty subject to call?
In many communities, the total size of a Hazmat
Team is larger than just the number of members
on duty at a given time. Only you can accurately
estimate the personnel required. We recommend,
however, a minimum of four persons on duty per
shift. Typical initial training costs associated with
an "average" four person Hazmat Team are
approximately $4,500, with additional funds
required for supplemental financing for each year
of operations.
29 CFR 1910.120(q)(7) outlines the requirements
for "trainers" or instructors of emergency response
personnel. Instructors within the hazmat sector
must be competent in the subjects they teach.
State and federal agencies offer numerous training
programs. By taking advantage of these programs
and programs offered by the International
Hazardous Materials Association and similar
organizations, you can minimize costs while
maximizing training opportunities. Be sure to
establish the credibility of instructors and training
materials when investigating training sources.
Current information regarding available training
programs can be obtained by contacting your state
department of natural resources and/or your
regional EPA training contact Refer to Appendix
D for a list of EPA training contacts.
At this point, you may wish to explore alternatives
to a Hazmat Team, particularly if your department
cannot bear alone the costs of personnel, training,
and equipment
One alternative available to you is to modify the
fire department mutual aid contract. Upon written
commitment, the participating mutual aid
organizations would agree to train a certain
number of employees to a specified level of
expertise. Each organization would agree to have
at least one of these trained employees on duty at
all times.
Costs would be shared by these organizations
according to a predetermined formula. As long as
the total response team can be assembled at a
scene within a reasonable time (i.e., less than one
hour), this may be an effective alternative to a
formal Hazmat Team.
If you represent a fire department dealing with
mostly fixed facility problems, you may want to
approach industry representatives in your locale.
After all, these people are part of your response
community! Because industry personnel routinely
work with the very substances that you are
preparing to handle, they already have a working
knowledge of the substances. They also may have
a facility response team equipped with personal
protective equipment and monitoring equipment.
Check to see if they will either supply equipment
for you to use or replace any equipment you
expend at these sites. Also, consider using these
industry resources in your training program.
Also, consider calling on volunteer organizations in
your community who may have special knowledge
or talents to support your response capability.
Would it be possible to recruit these people for
your planning operations and/or as technical
advisors in the event of a release? Fire
departments have volunteers and the police have
reserve forces; you might develop a similar
program for your Hazmat Team.-
3.2 MEDICAL MONITORING: Keep your team
healthy!
The OSHA regulations in 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(9)
require you to provide a medical monitoring
program for your Hazmat Team. The medical
monitoring program requires a complete
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examination of your Hazmat Team members at the
following times:
Prior to assignment to the Hazmat Team;
At regular intervals not greater than bi-
annually;
At termination of employment or upon
reassignment to another job description;
After any exposure to a hazardous
material; and
At such times as the physician deems
necessary.
The scope of this program will depend upon: (1)
the physician you choose to oversee your program;
and (2) the information you provide to this
physician as a result of your hazards analysis
program. You can help the physician develop a
program to effectively protect your responders
while minimizing the costs involved.
Based upon the list of substances that your team
may be exposed to during responses, the physician
will provide, with your assistance, a written medical
monitoring procedure. Refer to Appendix B,
Medical Program, for general guidance in designing
& medical program for personnel at hazardous
waste sites. Appendix B is reproduced from
chapter 5 of the Occupational Safety and Health
Guidance Manual for Hazardous Waste Site
Activities. (See Appendix E, Selected References,
for more information.)
Cost of Medical Monitoring
The cost of this required medical monitoring
program will range from S450 to S1000 per person
each year. (Keep in mind, this is only an
estimate.) If you choose a team of four persons
per shift for three shifts, then the costs can run
from 55,400 to 512,000 annually. Before you panic,
discuss this program with a physician who can
supply you with an accurate figure for your
proposed operation! Remember a medical
monitoring program is a requirement, not an
option.
3.3 EQUIPMENT: Respond Effectively!
You will need specialized equipment for air
monitoring, personal protection, and containment.
Unless you plan to buy a new response vehicle
dedicated solely to hazmat response, then
equipment costs will usually be less than the costs
associated with training and medical monitoring.
You probably cannot train and equip a team to
deal with every possible situation that may happen,
but you can look at your list of likely problems and
gear your program to those ends. As you identify
what equipment you need, check with other
members of your response community before
purchasing it. If the equipment is available to you
through the response community, then you may
not need to purchase it.
3.3.1 Monitoring Equipment
If you expect your Hazmat Team to enter
potentially hazardous atmospheres of unknown
content, your team will need the equipment to
detect dangerous airborne chemical concentrations.
The equipment listed below is the minimum any
entry team should have when responding to an
incident:
a. Combustible gas indicator detects the presence
of flammable gases and indicates the approximate
concentration of the gas/vapor in "%"
concentrations of the lowest explosive limit.
b. Oxygen level indicator measures the level of
available oxygen in the atmosphere. Even though
your team is entering with positive pressure self
contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), the oxygen
meter will warn them if excessive oxygen is present
or if something is using or displacing the available
oxygen.
c. Colorimetric tubes measure the concentration
of a specific chemical or chemical family. Through
your hazards analysis you have an idea of what
tubes your team will need. These tubes are
calibrated to indicate "parts per million" (ppm) or
"%" concentrations.
d. pH paper indicates whether a substance is
acidic or basic. This represents a small investment
to keep the team out of corrosive situations.
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e. Flame ionization and photoionization detectors
detect the presence of organic vapors in
concentrations as low as 0.5 ppm and are valuable
additions to your equipment supplies. These
detectors may be available to you through local,
state, and federal agencies.
An investment of about $1,700 will provide your
team with this basic monitoring equipment
Before you make any decisions about monitoring
equipment, review 29 CFR 1910.120(h) and the
Standard Operating Safety Guides, Part 5 listed in
Appendix E, Selected References, for additional
information. Both will give you a better picture of
how monitoring equipment may be used to
characterize sites and to assure personnel safety.
3.3.2 Personal Protective Equipment
Before your team can enter areas with actual or
suspected hazardous materials concentrations, they
must be outfitted with equipment that provides
respiratory and dermal protection. This is
particularly important when your team is
responding to a situation that has yet to be fully
evaluated.
You probably already own the most expensive
piece of necessary personal protective equipment:
the SCBA. The cost of this item will not be
included here in the equipment estimates for your
Hazmat Team because it is commonly found within
the response community and at fixed facilities with
potential airborne toxins. If you do not already
have SCBAs, however, then you can count on
spending $1,200 per unit (for a 30-minute tank)
and $400 per spare cylinder.
Protection Levels
There are four levels of protection to be
considered for hazmat work. Since a response
team usually works in an uncharacterized
atmosphere, two levels can be eliminated from
immediate consideration. These are:
Level D: Normal work uniform with no
respiratory protection.
Level C: Respiratory protection using an air
purifying respirator (filter type mask), with some
dermal protection including a lightweight chemical
coverall, gloves, and boots.
Your goal is maximum respiratory protection
when: (1) entering atmospheres containing
unknown substances; or (2) entering atmospheres
containing known substances in unknown
concentrations. This leaves two remaining levels
to discuss:
Level B: Maximum respiratory protection utilizing
SCBA and a lesser degree of dermal protection
than provided by Level A.
Level A: Maximum respiratory protection by
utilizing SCBA and maximum dermal protection
from a totally encapsulating chemical suit.
Review your hazards analysis data to determine
whether your team will be expected to work in
direct contact with concentrated chemicals. If so,
then you should investigate attaining a Level A
capability. Otherwise, a Level B approach may be
your best bet. Keep in mind that even if you need
Level A capability, the majority of your responses
will require only a Level B operation.
When researching protective suits, remember that
these suits are not armor. These suits resist
particular chemicals. They do not protect against
every chemical, nor does one size fit all. Select
your equipment carefully, based on your team's
potential exposure, and size this equipment to your
team members on an individual basis.
Should you decide on a Level B approach for your
team, you may wish to consider a fifth protective
level: Level B encapsulated. Level B equipment,
regardless of taping, leaves some skin, and all of
the SCBA gear, exposed. Since several common
chemicals are corrosive or become so upon contact
with the moisture in the air (see Appendix A),
ordinary Level B protection may not be adequate.
Level B encapsulated suits are slightly more
expensive, but they afford a higher degree of
protection, reducing the possibility of dermal
contact with harmful vapors and completely
enclosing the wearer's air supply.
11
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Costs of Chemical Protection Equipment
Approximate costs of chemical protection
equipment are contained in Table 1. You can
estimate that the initial cost for a Level B
encapsulated program with Nomexฎ coveralls (for
flash protection) would be about $2,410 - 3,060.
The costs for your team are completely dependent
on your type of program and the number of people
involved. Don't forget that any personal protective
equipment you choose and any decontamination
procedures you use must be consistent with the
SOPs defining their use and the provisions in 29
CFR 1910.120(q)(10).
TABLE 1
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT
APPROXIMATE COSTS (CATALOG PRICES)
TEAM SIZE:
4
LEVEL B ENCAPSULATED CAPABILITY
OTY ITEM
6-8 "B" encapsulated Saranexฎ suits
4 Nomexฎ coveralls
8 Chemical boots
8 Latex boot covers
8 Nitrile gloves (sized over & under)
4 Vitonฎ gloves
8 Butyl gloves
8 Thermal glove liners
1 Box latex gloves
4 Hard hats
8 Hooded Saranexฎ suits
4 Acid splash protection
4 Duct tape
TOTAL
PRICE
$ 125.00 - 175.00
150.00
50.00
5.00
2.00
35.00
17.00
2.00
20.00
6.00
18.00
25.00
6.00
COST
$ 750.00 - 1,400.00
600.00
400.00
40.00
16.00
140.00
136.00
16.00
20.00
24.00
144.00
100.00
24.00
$2,410.00-3,060.00
LEVEL A CAPABILITY: SUIT OPTIONS
4 Teflonฎ encapsulated suits
4 Vitonฎ encapsulated suits
4 Butyl encapsulated suits
4 PVC encapsulated suits
5,800.00
2,800.00
1300.00
1,100.00
23,200.00
11,200.00
5,200.00
4,400.00
12
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3.3.3 Containment Equipment
Once your team is suited up and ready to enter the
hot zone, they will need materials to contain the
released chemicals, tools and materials to stop the
release, as well as containers in which to secure
volatile released products.
Table 2 below is a list of containment equipment
and non-sparking tools that should be included in
a beginning inventory of most Hazmat Teams. The
tools and equipment needed by your Hazmat Team
will be dictated by the hazards you might face.
Refer to your hazards analysis data and add any
specialized equipment you may need.
Many of the supplies you will need can be
purchased at local hardware stores. For more
information, check the yellow pages of your
telephone book under "Fire Equipment," "Safety
Equipment," or other appropriate headings for the
particular equipment you may need.
If you require special equipment (such as pagers)
to summon assistance, then you should include
these items in your budget. Do you have
intrinsically safe radios and lights? If not, then
you will have to purchase them. Using the
information obtained in your hazards analysis
process, identify your specific needs and include
them in your budget proposal.
QTY
2
2
1
2
2
2
12
2
2
2
2
1
100
2
6
2
TABLE 2
CONTAINMENT EQUIPMENT AND
APPROXIMATE COSTS (CATALOG
ITEM
Non-sparking bung wrench
Non-sparking drum box wrench
Non-sparking tool kit
"Safe" shovels
Rolls of banner guard
Pushbrooms
Traffic cones
85-gallon Epoxy lined drums
30-gallon Epoxy lined drums
8-gallon drums
25-gallon poly pails
Haz Mat "A" Kit
Feet of 8" oil sorbent boom
Bundles (200 each) sorbent pads
Bags of inert sorbent material
Boxes (75 each) 55-gallon PE bags
TOTAL
TOOLS
PRICES)
PRICE
$ 16.00
73.00
898.00
29.00
15.00
12.50
120.00
60.00
50.00
6.00
660.00
75.00
7.00
84.50
COST
S 32.00
146.00
898.00
58.00
30.00
25.00
150.00
240.00
120.00
100.00
12.00
660.00
425.00
150.00
42.00
169.00
S 3,257.00
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3.4 SUMMARY OF COSTS
We have given you an overview of the exists related
to training, medical monitoring, and equipment for
a Hazmat Team. The total estimates for each area
are as follows:
Training
Medical monitoring
Monitoring equipment
Protective equipment
Containment equipment
TOTAL COST
$4,500
5,400 - 12,000
1,700
2,410- 3,060
'3.257
S 17,267 - 24,517
Personnel costs are ongoing and will probably
increase with time. The cost of equipment
maintenance and replacement will be affected by
inflationary increases unless alternate means of
funding and replacement can be found.
Under the Superfund program, EPA has issued
regulations that may permit you to recover some of
the costs your Hazmat Team incurs in the course
of its response work. These regulations permit
reimbursement to local governments (up to
525,000 per incident) for "temporary emergency
measures" taken in the course of responding to a
spill or release of a CERCLA hazardous substance
or pollutant or contaminant. This reimbursement
covers immediate response measures required at
the local level. These measures can include
activities such as securing the area, controlling the
release source, containing the substance released,
or similar activities your team must perform within
minutes or hours of the release to prevent or
mitigate injury to human health or the
environment. This reimbursement does not
include expenditures associated with traditionally
local services and responsibilities, such as routine
emergency fire fighting. For details on the six
steps that comprise the reimbursement process, see
Part 310 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (40 CFR Part 310).
Some jurisdictions have adopted an ordinance
allowing them to bill the party responsible for a
release for equipment expended; others bill for
personnel hours and equipment. Some
organizations have existing agreements to
reimburse any assisting group or agency for costs
resulting from an incident at their facility. With
these types of arrangements, the agency supplying
the assistance will not have to fully fund every item
expended.
Does this mean maintenance costs of the hazmat
program can be reduced? Possibly! Remember
though, you may not be able to recover any costs
from some spillers, and reimbursement may be
delayed from others. You will still need to
maintain a budget reserve for equipment
replacement in a timely manner.
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4.0 PREPARING RESPONSE PLANS
AND STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
During an incident, your Hazmat Team must
depend upon and work closely with other persons
or groups that have particular hazmat expertise,
including:
Fire personnel;
Police;
EMS personnel;
Public works personnel;
Local health department personnel;
Specialists in the hazardous material(s)
with which you are dealing (e.g., from
private industry, the local high school, or
the local community college or
university);
State agencies; and
Federal agencies and the Regional
Response Team.
As you define the roles needed for your response
community, start to develop a mental picture of
the people in your area that will meet these needs,
and what training and involvement will be required
to make them part of your response program.
You will need this assistance for everything from
early recognition of the presence of hazardous
materials to the final critique of your operations.
Before your team can respond to a hazardous
materials incident, however, you need to develop
your response plans and Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs) as required by 29 CFR
1910.120(q).
Develop your Hazmat Team and your outside
resources concurrently. Listing persons and groups
as resources without including them in the
planning and training phases of your development
process reduces their effectiveness as resources.
These people must know what is expected of them
and be familiar with your response SOPs and
Incident Command System. A contractor
responding to your request for heavy equipment
will not be of help to you if his people do not
meet OSHA training requirements.
As you proceed to develop your response
capabilities, identify the resources available to you,
what you expect them to do, what level of training
they need, as well as what level of training they
currently have, and make sure to include them in
your planning, training, and in developing your
response SOPs.
A response will be more effective if you train and
drill your response community. If you familiarize
the individuals and agencies in your response
community with each other and develop
compatible procedures through real scale
simulations, uniting your response community at
the scene of an emergency will be easier.
For detailed guidance on response plans, consult
the Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning Guide
published by the National Response Team and
commonly referred to as NRT-1. See Appendix E,
Selected References, for directions on obtaining a
copy of the guide. Computer packages are
available (e.g., SAFERฎ, CAMEO II) to aid in the
management of emergency operations or to
simulate emergency scenarios to assist with
training and preparedness.
For further information on available computer
packages, consult EPA's Chemical Emergency
Preparedness and Prevention Technical Assistance
Bulletin #5, Computer Systems for Chemical
Emergency Planning. This bulletin will provide you
with a checklist for evaluating computer packages
and information on available systems identified as
applicable to local planning. To obtain a copy of
this bulletin, refer to Appendix E, Selected
References.
15
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4.1 CONCLUSION with a realistic picture of the challenges to be
overcome and the magnitude of the effort involved.
Every facility or jurisdiction will have some unique
hazard or response capability that will deserve The key message we intend to convey in this
special consideration in the planning process. This manual is to research your problem by conducting
manual asks a lot of questions for which you will a hazards analysis, and then plan accordingly with
have to supply the answers. We have supplied you your entire response community.
16
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APPENDIX A
BEGINNING THE HAZARDS ANALYSIS PROCESS
This appendix provides a summary of the sources of information about hazardous materials in a community.
Detailed information is provided about Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) and their use in the hazards
analysis process.
Several recent federal studies show that there are currently between 5 and 6 million chemicals. This number
grows at a rate of about 6,000 chemicals per month. Furthermore, a recent computer review of the complete
list of known chemicals by the Chemical Abstract Service indicates that a first responder can expect to
encounter any of 1.5 million of these chemicals in an emergency, with 33,000 to 63,000 of them considered
hazardous. To complicate matters, these hazardous chemicals are known by 183,000 different names.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have
used several measures of toxicity and volume of production to develop a shortened list of chemicals that they
consider hazardous when transported in commerce. This list is comprised of about 2,700 chemicals, listed in
40 CFR 172.101. The 1987Emergency Response Guidebook also lists these chemicals. The Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates about 400 hazardous chemicals on the basis of occupational
exposures. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Pocket Guide to Chemical
Hazards contains a list of these chemicals. As required by Title III of the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986, EPA has prepared a list of extremely hazardous substances that currently
includes about 360 lethal air toxins.
Even these relatively short lists of chemicals can be intimidating to local response personnel hoping to develop
a comprehensive hazards analysis for their community. Further complicating their job is the fact that,
according to a recent study by the National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council (NRC), there
is so little known about seven-eights of the 63,000 hazardous chemicals that not even a partial assessment can
be made of their health hazards. Some conclusions drawn from the NRC study are as follows:
Of the 3,350 pesticides classified as important chemicals, information sufficient to make a partial
assessment of the associated health hazards is available on only about 1,100 to 1,200 (34%) of them.
Of the 1,815 drugs or drug ingredients noted, about 36% have enough information for a partial
assessment.
For the 8,627 food additives listed, there is partial information on 19%.
For the remaining 48,500 industrial chemicals, there is enough information on just 10% to develop even
a partial assessment.
The lack of generally accepted names for chemicals considered hazardous and the lack of data available to
assess risks together create a stumbling block for emergency response personnel and community officials
responsible for developing a viable, effective local hazardous materials management system. Without a
contingency plan based on effective and accurate hazards analysis prior to an emergency, it would be difficult
and time-consuming to develop the necessary information in the midst of an emergency.
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Hazards Analysis Data Sources
The first step of a hazards analysis is to gather data on the location, quantities, and health hazards of
chemicals in a community before a release occurs. This task may seem monumental from two aspects: (1) the
sheer numbers of chemicals out there, and (2) the lack of information in useable form available on these
chemicals. This section suggests various methods you can use to gather useful data about chemical hazards
in your community.
1. Consult historical records. These records contain information, on a national level, concerning the most
frequently released chemicals. For example, studies have shown that the most commonly released
hazardous chemical is commercial vehicle fuel (gasoline). In 1985, EPA commissioned a national study
of 6,928 incidents involving chemicals other than fuel to look at hazardous chemicals and the source of
their releases.1 The study indicated that 74.8% of the releases were fixed facility incidents and 25.2%
were in-transit incidents.
The fixed facility incidents were distributed as follows:
20.7% storage,
19.4% valves and pipes,
14.1% process,
17.9% unknown, and
27.8% other.2
The in-transit incidents were distributed as follows:
54.5% truck,
36.1% rail,
3.8% barge,
3.1% pipeline, and
2.5% other.
Perhaps the most useful information from this national study is the identity of the chemicals most
commonly involved in these 6,928 incidents. Approximately 48.5% of the incidents involved only the
following 10 chemicals:
23.0% polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs),
6.5% sulfuric acid,
3.7% anhydrous ammonia,
3.5% chlorine,
3.1% hydrochloric acid,
2.6% sodium hydroxide,
1.7% methanoVmethyl alcohol,
1.7% nitric acid,
1 Acute Hazardous Events Data Base, Industrial Economics, Inc., Cambridge, MA, December 1985. EPA
is in the process of updating this report. Although the newer statistics vary slightly from those presented in
this report, the general distribution of release incidents has not significantly changed.
2 The types of incidents contained in this category include disposal, heating and cooling systems, and
vehicles not in-transit.
18
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1.4% toluene, and
1.4% methyl chloride.
Human injury or death resulted from 468 of the 6,928 incidents. Events involving injuries and deaths
have occurred throughout all industrial sectors, with about one-third occurring at chemical and
petroleum refining facilities, one-third occurring at a wide variety of other industrial facilities, and one-
third occurring in-transit. The 10 chemicals listed above accounted for 35.8% of the death and injury
events, as follows:
9.6% chlorine,"
6.8% anhydrous ammonia,
5.6% hydrochloric acid,
4.7% sulfuric acid,
2.8% PCBs,
2.4% toluene,
1.9% sodium hydroxide,
1.5% nitric acid,
0.4% methyl alcohol, and
0.1% methyl chloride.
Notice that the release and injury data are different. For example, although PCBs were involved in more
incidents, chlorine posed a greater threat to humans. Determining this potential for causing injury to
humans is the area of hazards analysis that takes the most effort on the part of the local response
community. Gathering the information in a systematic manner cannot be done while responding to an
incident.
2. Consult summaries of previous incidents available from emergency management and environmental
response organizations at the local, state, regional, and federal levels. For example, EPA Region VII
and states in that region have comprehensive computerized records of all reported incidents by county
since 1977. Any jurisdiction can request these records.
3. Local fire and police department records may list incidents involving hazardous materials.
4. The yellow pages of the telephone book and the state industrial directory will list most local fixed
facilities that manufacture, store, or use chemicals. EPA has recently prepared summaries for 14 types
of facilities that show what types of hazardous chemicals may be encountered at the facilities. Copies
of the summaries may be obtained from EPA by calling the national RCRA/Superfund Industrial
Assistance Hotline toll-free at (800) 424-9346.
Once the chemicals in a community have been identified as to name and quantity, there are several national
data bases that can evaluate the hazards and risks presented by those chemicals. You might consult any of
the following:
A. Poison Control Centers. If the chemical is a consumer product, a regional Poison Control Center
can quickly provide comprehensive hazard information.
B. Manufacturer's technical medical staff. If the chemical is an industrial bulk chemical, CHEMTREC
(Chemicals in Transportation Emergency Center) can provide quick assistance. Call (800) CMA-
8200 for non-emergency situations, and (800) 424-9300 during emergencies. You can also contact
the technical medical staff of the company that manufacturers the chemical.
19
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C Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. If the chemical is a mixture or a waste, if a
second opinion is required, or if the chemical is unknown, a good source of information is the
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry at the Centers for Disease Control. It can be
reached by dialing (404) 639-0615 day or night.
Remember that health assessment information is incomplete for many chemicals. Information from any of
the sources listed above may be qualified, and each local planning group should locate a competent medical
authority to work with them to obtain and interpret health effects data.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)
Recent state and federal legislation regarding hazard communication, right-to-know, and mandatory local
notification for certain hazardous chemicals will assist local response groups in developing pre-emergency and
on-scene hazard assessments of chemicals in the community. This legislation makes the MSDS a primary
information source on chemical hazards.
Local response groups and planners are being provided with MSDSs by local industry as required by SARA
Title III However MSDSs will not be useful to local response groups unless they are familiar with the
information presented on the MSDS and how that information will assist them in making a hazard assessment,
whether for pre-emergency planning or responding to an emergency.
The minimum content of an MSDS is mandated by OSHA. Each sheet must contain the following sections:
1. The chemical name, chemical formula, common synonyms, chemical family, and the manufacturer's
name and emergency telephone number;
2. Hazardous ingredients and regulatory exposure limits, if any;
3. Physical properties;
4. Fire and explosion hazard data;
5. Health hazard data;
6. Reactivity data;
7. Spill or leak procedures;
8. Special protection information; and
9. Special precautions.
Although there are several sources of generic MSDSs, including some where the information is computerized,
response and/or planning personnel should obtain current MSDSs from companies in their community to
establish and maintain good working relationships with them.
In reviewing the MSDS, note the different ways information is presented and the lack of uniform presentation.
From the varying formats, you will gain some insights into the use of MSDSs and factors to be considered in
interpreting them. The depth of information furnished in MSDSs depends on knowledge of the chemical and
the management attitude of the company providing the information.
20
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MSDS Section 1 - Materials Identification. This section identifies the chemical by name, synonyms, and/or
family name The manufacturer's name and emergency telephone number should be used to obtain additional
data and assistance. Several preparers have chosen to emphasize the health hazards, precautionary measures,
and emergency contacts at the top of the sheets.
MSDS Section 2 Ingredients and Hazards. This section describes all ingredients contained in the material or
chemical, and hazards associated with it. Absolute clarity in describing all ingredients of a material and its
hazardous components is essential; however, experience indicates that clarity is not always achieved. When
discussing chlorine and its hazards, one MSDS preparer assumed chlorine to be the pure chemical in the
gaseous form, whereas fire fighters are more likely to encounter chlorine as a solid (HTH - commonly used
in swimming pool chemical control) or as commercial bleaches (a liquid that is fairly dilute).
If you review the ingredients and hazards of anhydrous ammonia and ammonia hydroxide, you will see that
anhydrous ammonia is a colorless gas with an extremely pungent odor and that ammonium hydroxide is a
clear, colorless liquid. Although their forms are different and their ability to reach human beings when
released is different, the hazard is the same. Ammonia is intensely corrosive to human tissue, whether it is
inhaled, contacts the skin, or is ingested. .OSHA regulates work place exposures of ammonia at 50 ppm
(permissible exposure limit, PEL) while the American. Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygiemsts
(ACGIH) recommends a level of 25 ppm (threshold limit value, TLV). Additionally, OSHA regulations state
that at concentrations of 500 ppm in air, the material becomes immediately dangerous to life and health
(IDLH).
The OSHA system is designed to provide safe working conditions for reasonably healthy adult humans for 8-
hour exposures for 40 hours per week for 40 years. This approach is not directly applicable to general
populations. Obviously, anyone with pre-existing respiratory ailments would be expected to be more affected
by irritants and by those chemicals that affect the central nervous system. The IDLH limits are likewise not
applicable to children, especially those in the first year of life, since their metabolism and nervous system
responses are significantly different than those of adults or older children.
The following information was found in MSDSs for the listed chemicals:
Name Form Exposure Limit (PEL)
Ammonium hydroxide Liquid
Anhydrous ammonia Gas
Chlorine Gas
Gasoline (unleaded) Liquid
petroleum distillate
benzene
Hydrochloric acid Liquid
Methyl alcohol Liquid
Nitric acid Liquid
Polychlorinated biphenyls Liquid
Sodium hydroxide Solid
Sulfuric acid Liquid
Toluene Liquid
50 ppm
50 ppm
1 ppm (ceiling)
300 ppm (ACGIH)
500 ppm (OSHA)
10 ppm
5 ppm
200 ppm
2 ppm
0.5 mg/m3 (ACGIH)
2 mg/m3
1 mg/m3
200 ppm
IDLH
500 ppm
500 ppm
25 ppm
100 ppm
25,000 ppm
100 ppm
200 mg/m3
80 mg/m3
2,000 ppm
All of the OSHA limits are for airborne concentrations and vary widely among the substances listed. It is
important to note that the ratio of exposure limit to IDLH concentration also varies widely. The greater the
range between these two numbers, the greater the chance an exposed person will avoid permanent harm or
death.
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It is important to know how these materials become airborne and the rate at which they do so. For this
information, we will have to look elsewhere on the sheets.
MSDS Section 3 - Physical Data. When assessing hazards, the ability to evaluate the physical data combined
with the health hazard data is essential. The common physical properties provided on a typical MSDS include
boiling point, freezing point, specific gravity, vapor pressure, vapor density, solubility, and appearance. Other
parameters may be provided at the discretion of the company completing the sheets.
Let's look briefly at characteristics of the 11 chemicals and discuss the implications of each for the first
responden
a. Boiling point - the temperature at which a liquid turns to a vapor.
Chemical Boiling Point
Ammonium hydroxide 36ฐC
Anhydrous ammonia -33ฐC
Chlorine -34ฐC
Gasoline (unleaded) 38ฐ - 204ฐC
Hydrochloric acid (37%) 53ฐC
Hydrochloric acid (munatic) (35%) 65.6ฐ - 110ฐC
Methyl alcohol 64.5ฐC
Nitric acid (60-68%) 122ฐC (67%)
Polychlorinated biphenyls 360ฐ - 390ฐC
Sodium hydroxide 1390ฐC
Sodium hydroxide solution (50%) 145ฐC
Sulfuric acid 310ฐC
Toluene 231ฐ - 232ฐC
Since ambient temperatures range from around -20ฐC to 50ฐC (-10ฐF to 120ฐF), any chemical with
a boiling point below the ambient temperature will rapidly become a gas when released from its
container. Th. is certainly the case for chlorine and anhydrous ammonia. Other materials with
boiling points only slightly above normal ambient temperature will rapidly expand and pressurize
containers and explode if heated only slightly. Other materials, such as polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs) and sodium hydroxide pellets, will be unaffected by the heat of normal structural fires, but
could be affected by the application of water to that fire. Sodium hydroxide pellets, for example, will
dissolve in water to form a corrosive liquid.
b. Freezing point - temperature at which the liquid form of a chemical will turn into the solid form.
a Melting point - temperature at which the solid form of a chemical will turn into the liquid form.
The two physical parameters above may be of limited use to response personnel for most chemicals.
There are several chemicals for which control measures such as freezing are effective and where dry
ice, for example, may be used to mitigate a release. Similarly, some chemicals undergo a form
change when exposed to structural fire temperatures. This can significantly increase the hazard to
response personnel. Low-melting-point solids and most liquids exposed to fire temperatures may
emit toxic materials in the smoke plume.
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d. Specific gravity - density of a chemical compared to the density of water. If the specific gravity is less
than one, the chemical will float on water. If the specific gravity is greater than one, the chemical
will sink. In either case, it is important for response personnel to consider the property of solubility
concurrently with specific gravity. Properties for the 11 chemicals are listed below:
Chemical Exposure Limit Specific Gravity Solubility
Ammonium hydroxide 50 ppm 0.9 Infinite
Anhydrous ammonia 50 ppm 0.68 Soluble
Chlorine 1 ppm 2.4 0.7%
Gasoline (unleaded) 300 ppm 0.7-0.8 Insoluble
Hydrochloric acid 5 ppm 1.18 Infinite
Methyl alcohol 200 ppm 0.8 Miscible
Nitric acid 1.41 Complete
Polychlorinated biphenyls 0.5 mg/m3 1.5 0.01 ppm
Sodium hydroxide 2 mg/m3 2.13 ill gm/100 gm
Sulfuric acid 1 mg/m3 1.84 Infinite
Toluene 200 ppm 0.86 Q.05 gm/100 gm
Toluene, gasoline, and methyl alcohol are all flammable or combustible liquids with similar TLV
levels. A glance at their solubilities shows, however, that mitigation techniques would have to be
substantially different due to their solubility (i.e., methyl alcohol is completely miscible in water
whereas the others are relatively insoluble). Not only would fire fighting methods differ, but
additional attention would have to be paid to solubility when environmental damage is possible.
Many chemicals that are listed as only slightly soluble can still cause significant environmental
toxicity to-plants or aquatic life. Toxicity of methyl alcohol is 250 ppm and toluene 1,180 ppm;
therefore, each of them presents a serious environmental hazard if significant runoff is allowed to
occur.
Most MSDSs do not provide environmental risk information; therefore, this data will have to be
sought from other sources. One excellent source for environmental risk information about many
common chemicals is the EPA OHM-TADS (Oil & Hazardous Materials - Technical Assistance Data
System). Access to this system can be gained by contacting any EPA Regional Office.
e. Vapor density - density of a gas compared to the density of air. If the vapor density is less than one,
the material will rise in still air and dissipate. If the vapor density is greater than one, the vapor will
attempt to sink in still air and potentially collect in low spots and valleys.
f. Vapor pressure - pressure exerted by vapors against the sides of the container. Vapor pressure is
temperature dependent. The lower the boiling point of the liquid, the greater the vapor pressure
it will exert at a given temperature. In more common terms, the higher the vapor pressure, the more
rapidly the material will change from liquid form to a vapor when released into the environment, and
the higher the equilibrium concentration with air will be.
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Boiling point, vapor pressure, and vapor density as found in MSDSs for the compounds of interest
are listed below:
Chemical
Ammonium hydroxide
Anhydrous ammonia
Chlorine
Gasoline (unleaded)
Hydrochloric acid (37%)
Methyl alcohol
Nitric acid (60-68%)
Polychlorinated biphenyls
Sodium hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide
solution (50%)
Sulfuric acid (96%)
Sulfuric acid (93.2%)
Toluene
Boiling Point Vapor Pressure Vapor Density
36ฐC
-33ฐC
-34ฐC
38 - 204ฐC
53ฐC
64.5ฐC
122ฐC (67%)
360 - 390ฐC
1390ฐC
145ฐC
310ฐC
231 - 232ฐC
15 mm Hg
23 atm
4800 mm Hg
-SOOmmHg
N/A
190 mm Hg
97mmHg
62 mm Hg
<1 mm Hg
Negligible
@20ฐC
@20ฐC
@20ฐc
@20ฐC
@200C
@200C
@200C
@200C
6.3 mm Hg @ 104ฐF
22 mm Hg @ 145ฐC
<0.3 mm Hg @ 25ฐC
22 mm Hg @ 20ฐC
1.2
0.6
2.49
N/A
1.27
1.1
2 to 3
N/A
<0.3
3.4
3.14
25ฐC
The detail of the information furnished on an MSDS varies from rough estimates or general
statements for some materials to multiple listings for others. If you can picture the room in which
a release occurs from its container, and then look at the range of vapor pressures for the most
commonly released substances, it will be apparent that both chlorine and anhydrous ammonia will
present an almost instantaneous vapor (inhalation) hazard. Since both of these chemicals are soluble
to some extent, a fog line may be helpful in volatilization suppression or in concentration reduction,
even when the release is continuous. However, when the intent is to reduce vapor production, the
water from the hose lines should not enter pooled materials like ammonia or chlorine. For materials
like sodium hydroxide and PCBs, a vapor hazard is not likely to exist under real-world conditions.
MSDS Section 4 - Fire and Explosion Data, Most of the MSDSs contain specific information for fire fighters
on the physical characteristics of the chemicals when involved in a fire. These characteristics, summarized
below, should be familiar to fire personnel.
Chemical
Ammonium hydroxide
Anhydrous ammonia
Chlorine
Gasoline (unleaded)
Hydrochloric acid
Methyl alcohol
Nitric acid
PCBs
Sodium hydroxide
Sulfuric acid
Toluene
Flash
Point
1208ฐC
N/A
-45ฐF
N/A
52ฐF
None
N/A
None
None
40ฐF
Autoignition
Temperature
651ฐC
N/A
536 - 853ฐF
N/A
385ฐF
None
N/A
None
None
480ฐF
Flammability Extinguishing
Limits Media
16
1.5
6-
1.3
-27%
N/A
-7.6%
N/A
36.5%
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
-7.1%
Shut off gas
N/A
Dry chemical
Water spray
N/A
Water spray
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Dry chemical
24
-------
In addition to these normal fire characteristics, the chemicals present other fire-related hazards, some of which
are reported in the fire and explosion section. Examples of these are the following:
Chlorine and anhydrous ammonia are usually stored in pressure containers. The violent rupture of these
containers represents a significant hazard.
Many of these chemicals generate toxic vapors or mists when involved in a fire.
Hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, sodium hydroxide, and sulfuric acid are such vigorous oxidizers or reducers
that, although they are not flammable hazards themselves, they react with many metals to produce
extremely flammable hydrogen gas.
MSDS Section 5 - Health Hazard Information. This section presents information on routes of exposure
(inhalation, ingestion, dermal) and, in some cases, the severity of risk (low, moderate, high). This information
is essential for selecting appropriate personal protective equipment and safety procedures for response actions.
Some MSDSs highlighted the major hazards in section one, while others give a more detailed hazard listing
in this section. Some sheets list the NFPA 704 rating for the specific chemical. This should be encouraged,
as it provides emergency response personnel a basis for quick judgments about the severity of personal
exposure. A brief hazard summary for each chemical is listed below:
Chemical
Ammonium hydroxide
Anhydrous ammonia
Chlorine
Gasoline
Hydrochloric acid
Methyl alcohol
Nitric acid
PCBs
Sodium hydroxide
Sulfuric acid
Toluene
Hazards
Corrosive - severe eye and skin irritant
Corrosive - severe eye and skin irritant
Corrosive - life threatening toxic effects may occur at concentrations
of 25 ppm on short exposures
Flammable - irritant - CNS effects - some evidence of carcinogenicity
- also numerous chronic effects
Corrosive - may be fatal if ingested
Flammable - may be fatal if ingested
Corrosive - strong oxidizer at higher concentrations
Very long- lasting material - some evidence of liver damage -
carcinogenic risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Corrosive - may be fatal if swallowed causing severe burns
Corrosive - causes severe burns - may be fatal if swallowed -
harmful if inhaled
Flammable - chronic skin irritant - various systemic effects on the
central nervous system, liver, and kidneys
These chemicals are corrosive to nearly every part of the human body. The effects of chlorine and sulfuric
acid are very similar. What makes chlorine a greater risk is its volatility when released. Sulfuric acid is already
a liquid at ambient temperatures and volatilizes very slowly.
MSDS Section 6 - Reactivity Data. Generally, four areas of information are presented in this section. All are
potentially useful to those responding to a hazardous chemical emergency.
a. Stability. Is the material stable at ambient temperatures and pressure, or at normal storage conditions?
Most of the chemicals reviewed are stable and not liable to undergo spontaneous changes.
25
-------
b. Polymerization. Will the chemical change through polymerization at normal storage and temperature
conditions? For chemicals that spontaneously polymerize, this frequently leads to the heat generation
and potential container failure.
c. Decomposition. What new chemicals and what hazards will be created by the thermal decomposition of
the chemical? Important information is included in this section for officials concerned about the
exposures of response personnel and the general population if the chemical is exposed to fire. For
example, formaldehyde may be formed from fire involving methyl alcohol; oxides of nitrogen from
anhydrous ammonia; and oxides of carbon from most of the other chemicals. This may increase the
hazards from simple asphyxiation.
d. Incompatible*. What materials may cause violent reactions with the chemical? Note especially the
MSDS for gasoline.
Most chemicals will have a large number of potentially violent combinations. It is important to have some
idea of the likelihood of incompatibles contacting each other. Many chemicals are potent acids or bases, and
will certainly be incompatible with chemicals of widely differing pH. For example, the sheet for sulfuric acid
lists water as being incompatible. The mixing of sulfuric acid (96%) with water (at pH of 7) releases enough
heat to cause a violent reaction.
MSDS Section 7 - Spill or Leak Procedures. This section contains suggested steps for handling releases of the
chemical in question. The information provided is usually similar to the 1987 DOT Emergency Response
Guidebook. It is important to note the order in which the material is presented. If the material is extremely
flammable, but not particularly toxic, initial advice will usually be to control ignition sources. If the material
is extremely toxic, initial advice will generally be to evacuate or shelter in place.
MSDS Section 8 - Special Protection Information. For many MSDSs now in use, this section is not very specific.
Hopefully, improvements will be made that include specific respiratory and clothing information. It is
important to know that no impervious clothing is suitable for every chemical. For example, polyethylene
protective clothing is not recommended for concentrated sulfuric acid, but is suitable for more dilute solutions.
:r
Special problems may be created for first responders by those materials that destroy normal fire fk
protective clothing. These materials (e.g., chlorobenzene, methyl iodide), - which breakthrough time, re
less than one tank of air, may not offer any useful protection to the respo ier. Once a hazards analy-.;s is
completed and response organizations are at the point where they are se, !ing response equipment, / is
suggested that they obtain a copy of Guidelines for the Selection of Chemica Protective Clothing, Cambri j,
MA: A.D. Little Co., 1987, and check out the protective clothing recommendations for the chemicals in their
community.
MSDS Section 9 - Special Precautions. Many MSDSs do not contain any information in this area. For
extremely flammable materials, there is an additional warning about sparks and radiant heat. For chlorine,
there is a warning about igniting other combustible materials on contact. For many other chemicals, standard
storage and handling procedures are repeated.
One important area that may be covered on some MSDSs is the chemical hazard to animal or aquatic life.
This information is frequently based on controlled laboratory settings. The information from this testing is
presented in terminology different than the regulatory TLV and PEL information, and it will take an
additional effort on the responded part to eval ate.
26
-------
These tests evaluate the substance's physical/chemical properties, determine routes of entry into the organisms
being tested, and document exposure variables. The tests also evaluate the biological fate of the chemicals
and develop a dose/response curve for the specific effects being evaluated. A hypothetical dose/response curve
is shown in Figure 1. The most common expression of these test results is the dose or concentration at which
50% are affected, known as the TD50. Toxicologists exhibit their skills by the accuracy with which they can
extrapolate animal data to predict effects on man. In general, TD50 data are commonly given for pesticides
and other chemicals developed for pest and weed control. An example of interpreting these data for
responders is shown below:
RELATIVE INDEX OF TOXICOLOGY
Toxicitv Rating
Practically non-toxic
Slightly toxic
Moderately toxic
Very toxic
Extremely toxic
Super toxic
Probable Oral
Dose
>15g/kg
5 - 150 g/kg
0.5 - 5 g/kg
50 - 500 mg/kg
5 - 50 mg/kg
<5 mg/kg
Lethal Dose for Humans
(Average Adult)
More than a quart
Between pint and quart
Between ounce and quart
Between teaspoonful and ounce
7 drops to teaspoonful
A taste (less than 7 drops)
Dose/response curves deal with acute exposures, but it is important to consider also the potential for repetitive
exposures at lower doses, which may accumulate in the body. This situation is called chronic exposure and
is diagramed in Figure A-l.
FIGURE A-l
Hypothetical Dose-Response Curve
of Two Chemicals, A and B
0.1 1 10
Dose - Arbitrary Units
100
27
-------
-------
APPENDIX B
MEDICAL PROGRAM
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 30
DEVELOPING A PROGRAM 30
PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING 42
Determination of Fitness for Duty 42
Baseline Data for Future Exposures 43
Sample Pre-Employment Examination 44
PERIODIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION 45
Periodic Screening 45
Sample Periodic Medical Examination 46
TERMINATION EXAMINATION 46
EMERGENCY TREATMENT 47
NON-EMERGENCY TREATMENT 49
MEDICAL RECORDS 49
PROGRAM REVIEW 50
REFERENCES 51
NOTES: For additional guidance, see U.S. EPA Environmental Response Team's Occupational Medical
Monitoring Program Guidelines for SARA Hazardous Waste Field Activity Personnel, January 1990, EPA OS WER
Directive: 9285.3-04.
This appendix is reproduced from Chapter 5 of the Occupational Safety and Health Guidance Manual for
Hazardous Waste Site Activities. See Appendix E, Selected References, for information about this document.
29
-------
INTRODUCTION
Workers handling hazardous wastes can experience high levels of stress. Their daily tasks may expose them
to toxic chemicals, safety hazards, biologic hazards, and radiation. They may develop heat stress while wearing
orotective equipment or working under temperature extremes, or face life-threatening emergencies such as
explosions and fires. Therefore, a medical program is essential to assess and monitor workers' health and
fitness both prior to employment or treatment; and to keep accurate records for future reference. In addition,
OSHA recommends a medical evaluation for employees required to wear a respirator (29 CFR Part
1910 134(b)(10)), and certain OSHA standards include specific medical requirements (e.g., 29 CFR Part
1910'95 and 29 CFR Parts 1910.1001 through 1910.1045). Information from a site medical program may also
be used to conduct future epidemiological studies; to adjudicate claims; to provide evidence in litigation; and
to report workers' medical conditions to federal, state, and local agencies, as required by law.
This chapter presents general guidelines for designing a medical program for personnel at hazardous waste
sites It includes information and sample protocols for pre-employment screening and periodic medical
examinations, guidelines for emergency and non-emergency treatment, and recommendations for program
recordkeeping and review. In addition, it supplies a table of some common chemical toxicants found at
hazardous waste sites with recommended medical monitoring procedures.
The recommendations in this chapter assume that workers will have adequate protection from exposures
through administrative and engineering controls, and appropriate personal protective equipment and
decontamination procedures, as described elsewhere in this manual. Medical surveillance should be used to
complement other controls.
DEVELOPING A PROGRAM
A medical program should be developed for each site based on the specific needs, location, and potential
exposures of employees at the site. The program should be designed by an experienced occupational health
physician or other qualified occupational health consultant in conjunction with the Site Safety Officer. The
director of a site medical program should be a physician who is board-certified in occupational medicine or
a medical doctor who has had extensive experience managing occupational health services. A director and/or
examining physician with such qualifications may be difficult to find, due to the shortage of doctors trained
in occupational medicine in remote geographic areas where many hazardous waste sites are located. If an
occupational health physician is not available, the site medical program may be managed, and relevant
examinations performed, by a local physician with assistance from an occupational medicine consultant. These
functions may also be performed by a qualified Registered Nurse, preferably an Occupational Health Nurse,
under the direction of a suitably qualified physician who has responsibility for the program.
All medical test analyses should be performed by a laboratory that has demonstrated satisfactory performance
in an established interlaboratory testing program [Ij. The clinical or diagnostic laboratory to which samples
are sent should meet either (1) minimum requirements under the Clinical Laboratories Improvement Act of
1967 (42 CFR Part 74 Subpart M Section 263(a)), or (2) the conditions for coverage under Medicare. These
programs are administered by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services (DHHS).
1 Certified, state-licensed (where required) Physician's Assistants may also perform these examinations
if a physician is available on the premises.
30
-------
A site medical program should provide the following components:
Surveillance:
Pre-employment screening.
Periodic medical examinations (and follow-up examinations when appropriate).
Termination examination.
Treatment:
Emergency.
Non-emergency (on a case-by-case basis).
Recordkeeping.
Program review.
Table B-l outlines a.recommended medical program; screening and examination protocols are described in
the following sections. These recommendations are based on known health risks for hazardous waste workers,
a review of available data on their exposures, and an assessment of several established medical programs.
Because conditions and hazards vary considerably at each site, only general guidelines are given.
Table B-l. Recommended Medical Program
COMPONENT
RECOMMENDED
OPTIONAL
Pre-Employment
Screening
Medical history.
Occupational history.
Physical examination.
Determination of fitness
to work wearing protective
equipment.
Baseline monitoring for
specific exposure.
Freezing pre-employment serum specimen for
later testing (limited to specific situations, see
Baseline Data for Future Exposures in this chapter).
Periodic Medical
Examinations
Yearly update of medical
and occupational history;
yearly physical examination;
testing based on
(1) examination results,
(2) exposures, and (3) job
class and task.
More frequent testing based
on specific exposures.
Yearly testing with routine medical tests.
Emergency
Treatment
Provide emergency first aid
on site.
Develop liaison with local
hospital and medical
specialists.
Arrange for decontamination
of victims.
31
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Table B-L Recommended Medical Program (continued)
COMPONENT
RECOMMENDED
OPTIONAL
Arrange in advance for
transport of victims.
Transfer medical records;
give details of incident and
medical history to next
care provider.
Non-Emergency
Treatment
Develop mechanism for non-
emergency health care.
Recordkeeping Maintain and provide access
and Review to medical records in
accordance with OSHA and
state regulations.
Report and record occupational
injuries and illnesses.
Review Site Safety Plan regularly
to determine if additional testing
is needed.
Review program periodically. Focus
on current site hazards, exposures,
and industrial hygiene standards.
The medical program's effectiveness depends on active worker involvement. In addition, management should
have a firm commitment to worker health and safety, and is encouraged to express this commitment not only
by medical surveillance and treatment, but also through management directives and informal encouragement
of employees to maintain good health through exercise, proper diet, and avoidance of tobacco, alcohol abuse,
and drug abuse. In particular, management should:
Urge prospective employees to provide a complete and detailed occupational and medical history.
Assure employees of confidentiality.
Require workers to report any suspected exposures regardless of degree.
Require workers to bring any unusual physical or psychological conditions to the physician's attention.
Employee training should emphasize that vague disturbances or apparently minor complaints (such as skin
irritation or headache) may be important.
When developing an individual program, site conditions must be considered and the monitoring needs of each
worker should be determined based on the worker's medical and occupational history, as well as current and
potential exposures on site. The routine job tasks of each worker should be considered. For instance, a heavy
32
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equipment operator exposed to significant noise levels would require a different monitoring protocol from a
field sample collector with minimal noise exposure. Likewise, an administrator may only need a pre-employment
screening for ability to wear personal protective equipment - if this is an occasional requirement - rather than
a more comprehensive program.
The potential exposures that may occur at a site must also be considered. While it is often impossible to identify
every toxic substance that exists at each hazardous waste site, certain types of hazardous substances or chemicals
are more likely to be present than others. Some of these are:
Aromatic hydrocarbons.
Asbestos (or asbestiform particles).
Dioxin.
Halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons.
Heavy metals.
Herbicides.
Organochlorine insecticides.
Organophosphate and carbamate insecticides.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Table B-2 lists these groups, with representative compounds, uses, health effects, and available medical monitoring
procedures.
In compiling a testing protocol, bear in mind that standard occupational medical tests were developed in factories
and other enclosed industrial environments, and were based on the presence of specific identifiable toxic chemicals
and the possibility of a significant degree of exposure. Some of these tests may not be totally appropriate for
hazardous waste sites, since available data suggest that site workers have low-level exposures to many chemicals
[2]. In addition, most testing recommendations, even those for specific toxic substances, have not been critically
evaluated for efficacy.
Another important factor to consider is that risk can vary, not only with the type, amount, and duration of
exposure, but also with individual factors such as age, sex, weight, stress, diet, susceptibility to allergic-type
reactions, medications taken, and off-site exposures (e.g., in hobbies such as furniture refinishing and automotive
body work).
33
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Table B<2.
Common Chemical Toxicants Found at Hazardous Waste Sites, Their Health Effects and Medical Monitoring
HAZARDOUS
SUBSTANCE
OR CHEMICAL
GROUP
Aromatic
Hydrocarbons
COMPOUNDS
Benzene
Ethyl benzene
Toluene
Xylene
USES
Commercial solvents
and intermediates for
synthesis in the
chemical and
pharmaceutical
industries.
TARGET ORGANS
Blood
Bone marrow
CNSa
Eyes
Respiratory system
Skin
Liver
Kidney
POTENTIAL
HEALTH EFFECTS
All cause:
CNSa depression:
decreased alertness,
headache, sleepiness,
loss of
consciousness.
Defatting dermatitis.
MEDICAL
MONITORING
Occupational/general
medical history
emphasizing prior
exposure to these or
other toxic agents.
Medical examination
with focus on liver,
Benzene suppresses
bone-marrow
function, causing
blood changes.
Chronic exposure can
cause leukemia.
Note: Because other
aromatic
hydrocarbons may be
contaminated with
benzene during
distillation, benzene-
related health effects
should be considered
when exposure to any
of these agents is .
suspected.
kidney, nervous
system, and skin.
Laboratory testing:
CBCb
Platelet count
Measurement of
kidney and liver
function.
-------
Table B-2. Common Chemical Toxicants Found at Hazardous Waste Sites, Their Health Effects and Medical Monitoring (continued)
HAZARDOUS
SUBSTANCE
OR CHEMICAL
GROUP COMPOUNDS USES
POTENTIAL
TARGET ORGANS HEALTH EFFECTS
MEDICAL
MONITORING
Asbestos (or
asbestiform particles)
A variety of industrial
uses, including:
Building
Construction
Cement work
Insulation
Fireproofmg
Pipes and ducts for
water, air, and
chemicals
Automobile brake
pads and linings
Lungs
Gastrointestinal
system
Chronic effects:
Lung cancer
Mesothelioma
Asbestosis
Gastrointestinal
malignancies
Asbestos exposure
coupled with cigarette
smoking has been
shown to have a
synergistic effect in
the development of
lung cancer.
History and physical
examination should
focus on the lungs
and gastrointestinal
system.
Laboratory tests
should include a stool
test for occult blood
evaluation as a check
for possible hidden
gastrointestinal
malignancy.
A high quality chest
X-ray and pulmonary
function test may
help to identify long-
term changes
associated with
asbestos diseases;
however, early
identification of low-
dose exposure is
unlikely.
Dioxin (see
Herbicides)
-------
Table B-2. Common Chemical Toxicants Found at Hazardous Waste Sites, Their Health Effects and Medical Monitoring (continued)
HAZARDOUS
SUBSTANCE
OR CHEMICAL
GROUP
Halogenated
Aliphatic
Hydrocarbons
COMPOUNDS
""""M'^ป*ซ.
Carbon tetrachloride
Chloroform
Ethyl bromide
Ethyl chloride
Ethylene dibromide
Etnylene dichloride
Methyl chloride
Methyl chloroform
Methylene chloride
Tetrachloroethane
Tetrachloroethylene
(perchloroethylene)
Trichloroethylene
Vinyl chloride
USES
^^
Commercial solvents
and intermediates in
organic synthesis.
TARGET ORGANS
CNSa
Kidney
Liver
Skin
POTENTIAL
HEALTH EFFECTS
All cause:
CNSa depression;
decreased alertness,
headaches,
sleepiness, loss of
consciousness.
Kidney changes:
decreased urine
flow, swelling
(especially around
eyes), anemia.
Liver changes:
fatigue, malaise,
dark urine, liver
enlargement,
jaundice.
Vinyl chloride is a
known carcinogen;
several others in this
group are potential
carcinogens.
MEDICAL
MONITORING
Occupational/general
medical history
emphasizing prior
exposure to these or
other toxic agents.
Medical examination
with focus on liver,
kidney, nervous
system, and skin.
Laboratory testing for
liver and kidney
function;
carboxyhemoglobin
where relevant.
-------
Table B-2. Common Chemical Toxicants Found at Hazardous Waste Sites, Their Health Effects and Medical Monitoring (continued)
HAZARDOUS
SUBSTANCE
OR CHEMICAL
GROUP
Heavy Metals
w
~J
COMPOUNDS
Arsenic
Beryllium
Cadmium
Chromium
Lead
Mercury
USES TARGET ORGANS
Wide variety of Multiple organs and
industrial and systems including:
commercial uses.
Blood
Cardiopulmonary
Gastrointestinal
Kidney
Liver
Lung
CNSa
Skin
POTENTIAL
HEALTH EFFECTS
All are toxic to the
kidneys.
Each heavy metal has
its own characteristic
symptom cluster. For
example, lead causes
decreased mental
ability, weakness
(especially hands),
headache, abdominal
cramps, diarrhea, and
anemia. Lead can
also affect the blood-
forming mechanism,
kidneys, and the
peripheral nervous
system.
MEDICAL
MONITORING
History-taking and
physical exam; search
for symptom clusters
associated with
specific metal
exposure, e.g., for
lead look for
neurological deficit,
anemia, and
gastrointestinal
symptoms.
Laboratory testing:
Measurements of
metallic content in
blood, urine, and
tissues (e.g., blood
Long-term effects0
also vary. Lead
toxicity can cause
permanent kidney
and brain damage;
cadmium can cause
kidney or lung
disease. Chromium,
beryllium, arsenic,
and cadmium have
lead level; urine
screen for arsenic,
mercury, chromium,
and cadmium).
CBCb
Measurement of
kidney function, and
liver function where
relevant.
-------
Table 8^2. Common Chemical Toxicants Found at Hazardous Waste Sites, Their Health Effects and Medical Monitoring (continued)
HAZARDOUS
SUBSTANCE
OR CHEMICAL
GROUP
(j)
00
COMPOUNDS
USES
TARGET ORGANS
POTENTIAL
HEALTH EFFECTS
MEDICAL
MONITORING
Herbicides Chlorophenoxy Vegetation control.
compounds:
2,4-dichloro-
phenoxyacetic acid
(2,4-D)
Kidney
Liver
CNSa
Skin
been implicated as
human carcinogens.
Chlorophenoxy
compounds can cause
chloracne, weakness
or numbness of the
arms and legs, and
may result in long-
term nerve damage.
Chest X-ray or
pulmonary function
testing where
relevant.
History and physical
exam should focus on
the skin and nervous
system.
Laboratory tests
include:
2,4,5-trichloro-
phenoxyacetic acid
(2,4,5-T)
Dioxin (tetrachloro-
dibenzo-p-dioxin,
TCDD), which occurs
as a trace
contaminant in these
compounds, poses the
most serious health
risk.
Dioxin causes
chloracne and may
aggravate pre-existing
liver and kidney
diseases.
Measurement of
liver and kidney
function, where
relevant.
Urinalysis.
-------
Table B-2. Common Chemical Toxicants Found at Hazardous Waste Sites, Their Health Effects and Medical Monitoring (continued)
HAZARDOUS
SUBSTANCE
OR CHEMICAL
GROUP
Organochlorine
Insecticides
u>
VO
COMPOUNDS USES
Chlorinated ethanes: Pest control.
DDT
Cyclodienes:
Aldrin
Chlordane
Dieldrin
Endrin
Chlorocyclohexanes:
Lindane
POTENTIAL
TARGET ORGANS HEALTH EFFECTS
Kidney All cause acute
Liver symptoms of
CNSa apprehension,
irritability, dizziness,
disturbed equilibrium,
tremor, and
convulsions.
Cyclodienes may
cause convulsions
without any other
initial symptoms.
Chlorocyclohexanes
can cause anemia.
Cyclodienes and
Chlorocyclohexanes
cause liver toxicity
and can cause
permanent kidney
damage.
MEDICAL
MONITORING
History and physical
exam should focus on
the nervous system.
Laboratory tests
include:
Measurement of
kidney and liver
function.
CBCb for exposure
to
Chlorocyclohexanes.
-------
Table ff-2. Common
" ' I. I,..
HAZARDOUS
SUBSTANCE
OR CHEMICAL
GROUP
~~"ซ"-^
Organophosphate
and Carbaraate
Insecticides
Chemical Toxicants Found at Hazardous Waste Sites, Their Health Effects and Medical Monitoring (continued)
COMPOUNDS
Organophosphate:
Diazinon
Dichlorovos
Dimethoate
Trichlorfon
Malathion
Methyl parathion
Parathion
Carbaraate:
Aldicarb
Baygon
Zectran
USES
Pest control.
POTENTIAL MEDICAL
TARGET ORGANS HEALTH EFFECTS MONITORING
CNSa
Liver
Kidney
All cause a chain of
internal reactions
leading to neuro-
muscular blockage.
Depending on the
extent of poisoning,
acute symptoms range
from headaches,
fatigue, dizziness,
increased salivation
and crying, profuse
sweating, nausea,
vomiting, cramps, and
diarrhea to tightness
in the chest, muscle
twitching, and
slowing of the
heartbeat. Severe
cases may result in
rapid onset of
unconsciousness and
seizures. A delayed
effect may be
weakness and
numbness in the feet
and hands. Long-
term, permanent
nerve damage is
possible.
Physical exam should
focus on the nervous
system.
Laboratory tests
should include:
RBC" cholinesterase
levels for recent
exposure (plasma
cholinesterase for
acute exposures).
Measurement of
delayed
neurotoxicity and
other effects.
-------
Table B-2. Common Chemical Toxicants Found at Hazardous Waste Sites, Their Health Effects and Medical Monitoring (continued)
HAZARDOUS
SUBSTANCE
OR CHEMICAL
GROUP
COMPOUNDS
USES
TARGET ORGANS
POTENTIAL
HEALTH EFFECTS
MEDICAL
MONITORING
Polychlorinated
Biphenyls (PCBs)
Wide variety of
industrial uses.
Liver
CNS1 (speculative)
Respiratory system
(speculative)
Skin
Various skin
ailments, including
chloracne; may cause
liver toxicity;
carcinogenic to
animals.
Physical exam should
focus on the skin and
liver.
Laboratory tests
include:
Serum PCB levels.
Triglycerides and
cholesterol.
Measurement of
liver function.
aCNS = Central nervous system.
bCBC = Complete blood count
C]
Long-term effects generally manifest in 10 to 30 years.
dRBC = Red blood count
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PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING
Pre-employment screening has two major functions: (1) determining an individual's fitness for duty, including
the ability to work while wearing protective equipment, and (2) providing baseline data to compare with medical
data. These functions are discussed below. In addition, a sample pre-employment examination is described.
Determination of Fitness for Duty
Workers at hazardous waste sites are often required to perform strenuous tasks (e.g., moving 55-gallon drums)
while wearing personal protective equipment, such as respirators and protective clothing, that may cause heat
stress and other problems. To ensure that prospective employees are able to meet work requirements, the pre-
employment screening should focus on the following areas:
Occupational and Medical History
* ' Makesure theworker fills out an occupational and medical history questionnaire. Review the questionnaire
before seeing the worker. In the examining room, discuss the questionnaire with the worker, paying special
attention to prior occupational exposures to chemical and physical hazards.
. Review past illnesses and chronic diseases, particularly atopic diseases such as eczema and asthma, lung
diseases, and cardiovascular disease.
. Review symptoms, especially shortness of breath or labored breathing on exertion, other chronic respiratory
symptoms, chest pain, high blood pressure, and heat intolerance.
. Identify individuals who are vulnerable to particular substances (e.g., someone with a history of severe
asthmatic reaction to a specific chemical).
Record relevant lifestyle habits (e.g., cigarette smoking, alcohol, and drug use) and hobbies.
Physical Examination
. Conduct a comprehensive physical examination of all body organs, focusing on the pulmonary, cardiovascular,
and musculoskeletal systems.
. Note conditions that could increase susceptibility to heat stroke, such as obesity and lack of physical exercise.
Note conditions that could affect respirator use, such as missing or arthritic fingers, facial scars, dentures,
poor eyesight, or perforated ear drums.
Ability to Work While Wearing Protective Equipment [31
. Disqualify individuals who are clearly unable to perform based on the medical history and physical exam
(e.g., those with severe lung disease, heart disease, or back or orthopedic problems).
Note limitations concerning the worker's ability to use protective equipment (e.g., individuals who must
wear contact lenses cannot wear full facepiece respirators).
Provide additional testing (e.g., chest X-ray, pulmonary function testing, electrocardiogram) for ability to
wear protective equipment where necessary.
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Base the determination on the individual worker's profile (e.g., medical history and physical exams, age,
previous exposures and testing).
Make a written assessment of the worker's capacity to perform while wearing a respirator, if wearing a
respirator is a job requirement. Note that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
respirator standard (29 CFR Part 1910.134) states that no employee should be assigned to a task that requires
the use of a respirator unless it has been determined that the person is physically able to perform under
such conditions.
Baseline Data for Future Exposures
Pre-employment screening can be used to establish baseline data to subsequently verify the efficacy of protective
measures and to later determine if exposures have adversely affected the worker. Baseline testing may include
both medical screening tests and biologic monitoring tests. The latter (e.g., blood lead level) may be useful
for ascertaining pre-exposure levels of specific substances to which the worker may be exposed and for which
reliable tests are available. Given the problem in predicting significant exposures for these workers, there are
not clear guidelines for prescribing specific tests. The following approach identifies the types of tests that may
be indicated:
A battery of tests based on the worker's past occupational and medical history and an assessment of significant
potential exposures. Table B-3 presents examples of tests frequently performed by occupational physicians.
Table B-3. Tests Frequently Performed by Occupational Physicians
FUNCTION
TEST
EXAMPLE
Liver:
General
Obstruction
Cell injury
Kidney:
General
Blood tests Total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin (direct bilirubin
if total is elevated).
Enzyme test Alkaline phosphatase.
Enzyme tests Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP), lactic dehydrogenase
(LDH), serum glutamicoxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum
glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT).
Blood tests
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, uric acid.
Multiple Systems
and Organs
Urinalysis
Including color; appearance; specific gravity; pH; qualitative
glucose, protein, bile, and acetone; occult blood; microscopic
examination of centrifuged sediment.
Blood-Forming
Function
Blood tests Complete blood count (CBC) with differential and platelet
evaluation, including white cell count (WBC), red blood count
(RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit or packed cell volume
(HCT), and desired erythrocyte indices. Reticulocyte count may
be appropriate if there is a likelihood of exposure to hemolytic
chemicals.
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Stu Jard established testing for specific toxicants in situations where workers may receive significant exposures
to these agents. For example, long-term exposure during cleanup of a polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)
waste facility can be monitored with pre-employment and periodic serum PCB testing [4]. Standard
procedures are available for determining levels of other substances, e.g., lead, cadmium, arsenic, and
organophosphate pesticides.
Where applicable, pre-employment blood specimens and serum frozen for later testing. (PCBs and some
pesticides are examples of agents amenable to such monitoring.)
Sample Pre-Employment Examination
Occupational and Medical History
Do a complete medical history emphasizing these systems: nervous, skin, lung, blood-forming, cardiovascular,
gastrointestinal, genitourinary, reproductive, ear, nose, and throat.
Physical Examination
Include at least the following:
Height, weight, temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.
Head, nose, and throat.
Eyes. Include vision tests that measure refraction, depth perception, and color vision. These tests should
be administrated by a qualified technician or physician. Vision quality is essential to safety, the accurate
reading of instruments and labels, the avoidance of physical hazards, and for appropriate response to color-
coded labels and signals.
ซ Ears. Include audiometric tests, performed at 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3.000, 4,000, and 6,000 hertz (Hz) pure
tone in an approved booth (see requirements listed in 29 CFR P:>" 1910.95, Appendix D). Tests should
be administrated by a qualified technician, and results read by a cer ed audiologist or a physician familiar
with audiometric evaluation. The integrity < the eardrum should b;. ,-stablished since perforated eardrums
can provide a route of entry for chemicals imu ihe body. The physician evaluating employees with perforated
eardrums should consider the environmental conditions of the job and discuss possible specific safety controls
with the Site Safety Officer, industrial hygienist, and/or other health professionals before deciding whether
such individuals can safely work on site.
Chest (heart and lungs).
Peripheral vascular system.
Abdomen and rectum (include hernia exam).
Spine and other components of the muscutoskeletal system.
Genitourinary system.
* Skin.
Nervous system.
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Tests
Blood.
Urine.
A 14 x 17-inch posterior/anterior view chest X-ray with lateral or oblique views only if indicated or if
mandated by state regulations. The X-ray should be taken by a certified radiology technician and interpreted
by a board-certified or board-eligible radiologist. Chest X-rays taken in the last 12-month period, as well
as the oldest chest X-ray available, should be obtained and used for comparison. Chest X-rays should not
be repeated more than once a year, unless otherwise determined by the examining physician.
Ability to Perform While Wearing Protective Equipment
To determine a worker's capacity to perform while wearing protective equipment, additional tests may be necessary.
For example:
Pulmonary function testing. Measurement should include forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV),
forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV - to - FVC ratio, with interpretation and comparison to normal
predicted values corrected for age, height, race, and sex. Other factors such as FEF, MEFR, MW, FRC,
RV, and TLC2 may be included for additional information. A permanent record of flow curves should
be conducted by a certified technician and the results should be interpreted by a physician.
Electrocardiogram (EKG). At least one standard, 12-lead resting EKG should be performed at the discretion
of the physician. A "stress test" (graded exercise) may be administered at the discretion of the examining
physician, particularly where heat stress may occur.
Baseline Monitoring
If there is likelihood of potential onsite exposure to a particular toxicant, specific baseline monitoring should
be performed to establish data relating to that toxicant.
PERIODIC MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
Periodic Screening
Periodic medical examinations should be developed and used in conjunction with pre-employment screening
examinations. Comparing sequential medical reports with baseline data is essential to determine biologic trends
that may mark early signs of adverse health effects, and thereby indicate appropriate protective measures.
The frequency and content of examinations will vary, depending on the nature of the work and exposures.
Generally, medical examinations have been recommended at least yearly. More frequent examinations may
be necessary, depending on the extent of potential or actual exposure, the type of chemicals involved, the duration
of the work assignment, and the individual worker's profile. For example, workers participating in the cleanup
of a PCB-contaminated building were initially examined monthly for serum PCB levels.
2 FEF = forced expiratory flow, MEFR = maximal expiratory flow rate; MW = maximal voluntary
ventilation; FRC = functional residual capacity, RV = residual volume; TLC = total lung capacity.
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Reviewing data from the first few months revealed no appreciable evidence of PCS exposure. The frequency
of PCB testing was then reduced [4]. Periodic screening exams can include:
Interval medical history, focusing on changes in health status, illnesses, and possible work-related symptoms.
The examining physician should have information about the worker's interval exposure history, including
exposure monitoring at the job site, supplemented by worker reported exposure history and general
information on possible exposures at other sites.
* Physical examination.
Additional medical testing, depending on available exposure information, medical history, and examination
results. Testing should be specific for the possible medical effects of the worker's exposure. Multiple testing
for a large range of potential exposures is not always useful; it may involve invasive procedures (e.g., tissue
biopsy), be expensive, and may produce false-positive results.
Pulmonary function tests should be administered if the individual uses a respirator, has been or may be exposed
to irritating or toxic substances, or if the individual has breathing difficulties, especially when wearing a
respirator.
Audiometric tests. Annual retests are required for personnel subject to high noise exposures (an 8-hour,
time-weighted average of 85 dBA3 or more), those required to wear hearing protection, or as otherwise
indicated.
Vision tests. Annual retests are recommended to check for vision degradation.
Blood and urine tests when indicated.
Sample Periodic Medical Examination
The basic periodic medical examination is the same as the pre-employment screening (see previous section,
Sample Pre-Employment Examination), modified according to current conditions, such as changes in the worker's
symptoms, site hazards, or exposures.
TERMINATION EXAMINATION
After finishing work at a hazardous waste site, all personnel should have a medical examination as described
in the previous sections (see Sample Pre-Employment Examination). This examination may be limited to obtaining
an interval medical history of the period since the last full examination (consisting of medical history, physical
examination, and laboratory tests) if all three following conditions are met:
The last full medical examination was within the last 6 months.
No exposure occurred since the last examination.
No symptoms associated with exposure occurred since the last examination.
If any of these criteria are not met, a full examination is medically necessary at the termination of employment.
3 dBA ป decibels on A-weighted scale (29 CFR Part 1910.95).
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EMERGENCY TREATMENT
Provisions for emergency treatment and acute non-emergency treatment should be made at each site. Preplanning
is vital.
When developing plans, procedures, and equipment lists, the range of actual and potential hazards specific to
the site should be considered, including chemical, physical (such as heat and/or cold stress, falls, and trips),
and biologic hazards (animal bites and plant poisoning as well as hazardous biological wastes). Not only site
workers, but also contractors, visitors, and other personnel (particularly firefighters) may require emergency
treatment.
Emergency medical treatment should be integrated with the overall site emergency response program (see Chapter
12). The following are recommended guidelines for establishing an emergency treatment program.
Train a team of site personnel in emergency first aid. This should include a Red Cross or equivalent certified
course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and first-aid training that emphasizes treatment for explosion
and burn injuries, heat stress, and acute chemical toxicity. In addition, this team should include an emergency
medical technician (EMT) if possible. Table B-4 lists signs and symptoms of exposure and heat stress that
indicate potential medical emergencies.
Train personnel in emergency decontamination procedures in coordination with the Emergency Response
Plan.
Predesignate roles and responsibilities to be assumed by personnel in an emergency.
Establish an emergency/first-aid station on site, capable of providing (1) stabilization for patients requiring
off-site treatment, and (2) general first aid (e.g., minor cuts, sprains, abrasions).
Locate the station in the clean area adjacent to the decontamination area to facilitate emergency
decontamination.
Provide a standard first-aid kit or equivalent supplies, plus additional items such as emergency/deluge
showers, stretchers, portable water, ice, emergency eyewash, decontamination solutions, and fire-
extinguishing blankets.
Restock supplies and equipment immediately after each use and check them regularly.
Arrange for a physician who can be paged on a 24-hour basis.
Set up an on-call team of medical specialists for emergency consultations, e.g., a lexicologist, dermatologist,
hematologist, allergist, ophthalmologist, cardiologist, and neurologist
Establish a protocol for monitoring heat stress.
Make plans in advance for emergency transportation to a nearby medical facility, develop contamination
control procedures for that facility.
Educate local emergency transport and hospital personnel about possible medical problems on site;
types of hazards and their consequences; potential for exposure; and the scope and function of site
medical program.
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Table B-4. Signs and Symptoms of Chemical Exposure and Heat Stress that Indicate Potential Medical
Emergencies
TYPE OF HAZARD
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Chemical Hazard
Behavioral changes
Breathing difficulties
Changes in complexion or skin color
Coordination difficulties
Coughing
Dizziness
Drooling
Diarrhea
Fatigue and/or weakness
Irritability
Irritation of eyes, nose, respiratory tract, skin, or throat
Headache
Light-headedness
Nausea
Sneezing
Sweating
Tearing
Tightness in the chest
Heat Exhaustion
Clammy skin
Confusion
Dizziness
Fainting
Fatigue
Heat rash
Light-headedness
Nausea
Profuse sweating
Slurred speech
Weak pulse
Heat Stroke
(may be fatal)
Confusion
Convulsions
Hot skin, high temperature (yet may feel chilled)
Incoherent speech
Convulsions
Staggering gait
Sweating stops (yet residual sweat may be present)
Unconsciousness
48
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Assist the hospital in developing procedures for site-related emergencies. This will help to protect
hospital personnel and patients, and to minimize delays due to concerns about hospital safety or
contamination.
For specific illnesses or injuries, provide details of the incident and the worker's past medical history
to the appropriate hospital staff. This is especially crucial when specific medical treatment is required
(e.g., for exposure to cyanide or organophosphate pesticides).
Depending on the site's location and potential hazards, it may be important to identify additional medical facilities
capable of sophisticated response to chemical or other exposures.
Post conspicuously (with duplicates near the telephones) the names, phone numbers, addresses, and .procedures
for contacting:
On-call physicians.
Medical specialists.
Ambulance services.
Medical facility(ies).
Emergency, fire, and police services.
Poison control hotline.
Provide maps and directions.
Make sure at least all managers and all individuals involved in medical response know the way to the nearest
emergency medical facility.
Establish a radio communication system for emergency use.
Review emergency procedures daily with all site personnel at safety meetings before beginning the work
shift.
NON-EMERGENCY TREATMENT
Arrangements should be made for non-emergency medical care for hazardous waste site workers who are
experiencing health effects resulting from an exposure to hazardous substances. In conjunction with the medical
surveillance program, offsite medical care should ensure that any potential job-related symptoms or illnesses
are evaluated in the context of the worker's exposure. Offsite medical personnel should also investigate and
treat non-job-related illnesses that may put the worker at risk because of task requirements (e.g., a bad cold
or flu that might interfere with respirator use). A copy of the worker's medical records should be kept at the
site (with provisions for security and confidentiality) and, when appropriate, at a nearby hospital. Treating
physicians should have access to these records.
MEDICAL RECORDS
Proper recordkeeping is essential at hazardous waste sites because of the nature of the work and risks: employees
may work at a large number of geographically disparate sites during their careers, and adverse effects on long-term
49
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exposure may not become apparent for many years. Records enable subsequent medical care providers to be
informed about workers* previous and current exposures.
OccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration(OSHA) regulations mandate that, unless a specific occupational
safety and health standard provides a different time period, the employer must:
Maintain and preserve medical records on exposed workers for 30 years after they leave employment (29
CFR Part 1910.20).
. Make available to workers, their authorized representatives, and authorized OSHA representatives the results
of medical testing and full medical records and analyses (29 CFR Part 1910.20).
. Maintain records of occupational injuries and illnesses and post a yearly summary report (29 CFR Part
1904).
PROGRAM REVIEW
Regular evaluation of the medical program is important to ensure its effectiveness. Maintenance and review
of medical records and test results aid medical personnel, site officers, and the parent company and/or agency
managers in assessing the effectiveness of the health and safety program. The Site Safety Officer, medical
consultant, and/or management representative should, at least annually:
Assure that each accident or illness was promptly investigated to determine the cause and make necessary
changes in health and safety procedures.
Evaluate the efficacy of specific medical testing in the context of potential site exposures.
. Add or delete medical tests as suggested by current industrial hygiene and environmental'data.
. Review potential exposures and Site Safety Plans at all sites to determine if additional testing is required
Review emergency treatment procedures and update lists of emergency contacts.
50
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REFERENCES
1. Proficiency Testing Programs
Division of Technology Evaluation and Assistance
Laboratory Program Office
Center for Disease Control
Atlanta, GA 30333
College of American Pathologists
7400 N. Skokie Blvd.
Skokie, IL 60077
American Association for Bioanalysts
205 W. Levee Street
Brownsville, TX 78520
2. Costello, R.J. 1983. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Triangle Chemical Site, Bridge City, Texas.
NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluations Determination Report, HETA 83-417-1357.
3. ANSI. 1984. American National Standard for Respiratory Protection. ANSI Z88.6-1984. American National
Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.
4. Gleit, A; Cohen, A.G.; Chase, K.H.; and J. Toth 1985. Summary Report of the Medical Surveillance Program
for the Binghamton State Office Building Decontamination Project. Prepared for Versar New York, Inc.
51
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APPENDIX C
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENT
FTRST-ON-SCENE CHECKLIST
(EXAMPLE)
1. Report the incident as a possible hazmat accident. Give the exact location and request assistance.
2. Stay upwind and upgrade.
3. Isolate the area of non-essential personnel.
4. Avoid contact with liquid or fumes.
5. Eliminate ignition sources (lighted cigarettes, flares, and combustible engines).
6. Rescue the injured only if prudent.
7. Identify materials and determine conditions (spill, fire, leak, solid, liquid, vapor, single or mixed loads,
waybills, bills of lading, shipper, owner, manufacturer, and carrier).
REPORT TO DISPATCHER
8. Initiate evacuation, downwind first, if necessary.
REPORT TO DISPATCHER
9. Establish command post location - upwind at a safe distance. Report exact location and give the
approach route to dispatcher.
REPORT TO THE NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER
OIL AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPILLS/RELEASES
1-800-424-8802 (Toll Free Day or Night)
FOR ASSISTANCE:
EPA Regional Authority (Day or Night)
State Department of Natural Resources
State Department of Health and Environment
State Department of Environmental Control
53
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S.^,-.: -.:^fv^~^'
* w . if- 'j^'
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APPENDIX D
U.S. EPA REGIONAL SUPERFUND TRAINING CONTACTS
Sharon L, Molden
US EPA - Region I (PHD-2211)
JFK Federal Building
Boston, MA 02203
(617) 565-3390
(FTS) 835-3390
Peter Ucker
US EPA - Region II
26 Federal Plaza, Room 734
New York, NY 10278
(212) 264-6324
(FTS) 264-6324
Brenda J. Wingate
US EPA - Region III (3HW14)
841 Chestnut Building
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 597-4858
(FTS) 597-4858
Ralph D. Armstrong
US EPA - Region IV (HRMB)
345 Courtland Street, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30365
(404) 347-3486
(FTS) 257-3486
Steve Ostrodka
US EPA - Region V
230 S. Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 886-3011
(FTS) 886-3011
Rosemary Henderson
US EPA - Region VI
First Interstate Bank Tower - 10th Floor
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
(214) 655-2277
(FTS) 255-2277
William Keffer
US EPA - Region VII
25 Funston Road
Kansas City, KS 66115
(913) 236-3888
(FTS) 757-3888
Tina Artemis
US EPA - Region VIII (8HWM-ER)
Denver Place, Suite 500
999 18th Street
Denver, CO 80202-2405
(303) 294-7142
(FTS) 564-7142
Carita Hall-Reynolds
US EPA - Region IX (H-8-3)
1235 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 744-1914
(FTS) 484-1914
Loretta Hrin
US EPA - Region X (MS-533)
1200 6th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 442-7154
(FTS) 399-7154
55
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APPENDIX E
SELECTED REFERENCES
This appendix lists documents that may prove helpful to anyone planning to establish a Hazmat Team.
REGULATIONS
29 CFR 1910.120, OSHA Final Rule: Hazardous
Waste Site Operations and Emergency Response,
as printed in the Federal Register, March 6, 1989,
pp. 9316 - 9330.
STANDARDS
NFPA Standard 471-1989, Recommended Practice
for Responding to Hazardous Materials Incidents.
Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection
Association, 1989.
NFPA Standard 472-1989, Standard for Professional
Competence ofResponders to Hazardous Materials
Incidents. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection
Association, 1989.
Copies of NFPA publications can be obtained by
calling 1-800-344-3555 or by writing to:
National Fire Protection Association
1 Batterymarch Park
P.O. Box 9101
Quincy, MA 02269
Standard 471 is available for S15.50, Standard 472
for $13.25, and the Handbook (listed under
Technical References) for $49.50. Purchased
together, the publications cost $66.50.
GUIDANCE
Computer Systems for Chemical Emergency
Planning: Chemical Emergency Preparedness and
Prevention Technical Assistance Bulletin #5.
Washington, DC: EPA, September 1989 (OSWER-
89-005).
Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning Guide
(NRT-1). Washington, DC: National Response
Team, 1987.
Technical Guidance for Hazardous Analysis.
Washington, DC: EPA/FEMA/DOT, 1987.
Copies of NRT-1, the Technical Guidance, and
Technical Assistance Bulletin #5 may be obtained
free of charge by calling the Emergency Planning
and Community Right-To-Know Hotline at 1-800-
535-0202.
Handbook of Chemical Hazard Analysis Procedures.
Washington, DC: FEMA/DOT/ EPA.
Copies of this handbook may be obtained by
writing to:
Federal Emergency Management Agency-
Publications Office
500 C Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20472
Occupational Safety and Health Guidance Manual
for Hazardous Waste Site Activities. Washington,
DC: NIOSH/OSHA/U.S. Coast Guard/EPA, 1985.
(DHHS/NIOSH Pub. No. 85-115).
Standard Operating Safety Guides. EPA, Office of
Emergency and Remedial Response, Emergency
Response Division, Environmental Response
Team, 1988.
TECHNICAL REFERENCES
Hazardous Materials Response Handbook. Quincy,
MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1989.
Copies of this Handbook may be obtained by
writing to NFPA; the address is listed above under
NFPA Standards.
Guidelines for the Selection of Chemical Protective
Clothing. Cambridge, MA: AD. Little, 1987.
57
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APPENDIX F
INFORMED SOURCES
Chief Don Brunken
Omaha Fire Department
1516 Jackson Street
Omaha, NE 68102
(402) 444-5760
Capt. Jerry Grey
San Francisco Fire Department
Station #36
109 Oak Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 861-8000, ext. 236
Lt. Bill Hand
Houston Fire Department
1205 Dart
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 923-1334
William Keffer
U.S. EPA, Region VII
25 Funston Road
Kansas City, KS 66115
(913) 236-3888
Larry Knoche
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Forbes Field, Building 740
Topeka, KS 66620
(913) 296-1500
Ron Kozel
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Wallace Building
900 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-8883
Dean Martin
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Jefferson State Office Building
2010 Missouri Boulevard
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(314) 751-7929
Asst. Chief Mary Beth Michos
Emergency Medical and Technical Services
Department of Fire and Rescue
101 Monroe Street
Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 217-2099
Bat. Chief Larry Mullekin
Wichita Fire Department
455 N. Main
Wichita, KS 67202
(316) 683-7216
Lt. Jeff Rylee
Salt Lake City Fire Department
159 E. 100 Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 799-4217
Vickie Santoro
U.S. EPA/ERT (MS-101)
2890 Woodbridge Avenue
Building 18
Edison, NJ 08837-3679
(201) 906-6917
Clark Smith
Nebraska Dept. of Environmental Control
Box 98922
301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, NE 68509
(402) 471-2186
Lt. Bill Stringfield
St. Petersburg Fire Department
1429 Arlington Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
(813) 893-7650
Rod Turpin
U.S. EPA/ERT (MS-101)
2890 Woodbridge Avenue
Building 18
Edison, NJ 08837-3679
(201) 906-6917
59
-&U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: IWI - 548-1117/20572
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