GUTLZN'S C-P G'jIDFLT'IES FOR TIERING Fin.:} SITE"
)C ¦- ¦r > v r ¦ r,:. ".f ri> - •,; -^"TfTT-'
r v.1 bni., i.-„; _ i
IvjjaraJ 3
He'll C. Davis
for the
Office of 0c~upo.11"oni7 Hsaltfi and Safety
'Environmental Protection Agency
May 17, 1979
RA
1199
.097
1979
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ABBREVIATED OUTLINE OF GUIDELINES FOR
ENTERING FIELD SITES OF UNKNOWN
CHEMICAL TOXICITY
1. Agency Procedures
2. Determination of Site Hazard Potential
3. Administrative Control of Site
4. Team Structure and Coordination
5. Donning and Use of Protective Equipment
6. On-site Personnel Decontamination Procedures
7. Emergency Medical Procedures
8. Decontamination, Maintenance, and Storage of Protective Equipment
9. Training Requirements
10. Medical Monitoring
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. OUTLINE OF GUIDELINES FOR ENTE1-1 ¦ r, FIELD SITES
OF UNKNOWN CHEMICAL "1 'TTY
Agency Procedures
1.1 Any EPA unit that will be involved in field activities of
unknown chemical toxicity should develop specific written
procedures and provide appropriate training to their nser-
sonnel.
lo2 We recommend following the format as outlined in this guide-
line.
1.3 Specific procedures and record of training received should
be submitted to the Office of Occupational Safety and Health
for timely review.
Determination of Site Hazard Potential
2.1 The on-site team leader is responsible to determine whether
to enter a field site and the appropriate level of personal
protective equipment thai: should be used.
2.2 Should the site be entered? Questions to ask:
2.2.1 Can the mission be accomplish?d offsite, without employee
exposure?
2.2.2 .Are there any exposures where entry would be inadvisable?
Examples:
o fire or explosive potential
o high levels of nuclear radiation
o chemical exposures, such as hydrogen fluoride, where
rio protective clothing is adequate
Field ronitoring equipment will be necessary to aid in making
these decisions.
2„3 The type of protective clothing required is determined
by the nature of the hazard.
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2.3.1 If the typo or hazard is initially un." .v/n, a xro>:intani
protective uniform is required.
2.3.2 Environmental monitoring is recmrxjrided to minimize the
need for artificially high levels of protective clothing
and related training of personnel.
o Environmental sampling during emergency responses is
not considered feasible.
2.3.3 (A suggested decision logic is appended to assist on-site
team leaders. )
3. Administractive Control of Site
3.1 Designate a contamination control site.
3.1.1 Determine the extent of oontrol site.
o The control site should be designed so that chemical
exposures are miniiral to non-projected public and raission
personnel.
o The nature of the chemical exposures and the type of
activity within the area will determine the perimeter
of the contamination control, area.
o (Control Site dimension used by the Tech Escort Unit,
U.S. Army is attached.}
3.1.2 Determine the location and structure of entry area to the
control site.
o The physical conditions of the site will determine the
appropriate entry area,
oo Entry area should be located upwind of the chemical
exposure*
oo Entry area should be located to minimize exposures
to sources of physical hazards, such as trenches
and turbulent water.
q.. The designated entry area should have three distinct
sub-areas:
oo Command Post - This should be outside the contam-
ination control site.
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oo Contamination reduction area
oo Contaminated area
oo (See on-site decontamination procedures for detailed
explanation)„
3.2 Limit access to the control site to only necessary personnel.
3,2.1 Community exposures should be eliminated by the use of legal
authority and/or public persuasion.
o Placards indicating potential hazard along the perirniter
of the contamination control site nay serve as appropriate
warning.
3„2.2 All mission personnel that enter the contamination control
site should be appropriately equipped and trained.
3.2.3 All EPA contractors should ti! comparably equipped and train-
ed, if they enter the contamination control site.
4, Team Sturcbure and Co-ordination
4.1 Command Post Team - Command Post
4.1.1 The following personnel are located at the command post:
o Team leader
o Press representative
o Communications co-otdinator - Function:
oo contact with entry team
oo phone communication to a, computer link-up or
offsite technical exoertise
oo possible ohone communication to emergency medical
facilities
o Other technical experts (optional)
4.1.2 All decisions are the responsibility of the team leader.
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4.2 Decontamination Team - Contamination Reduction Area
o Normal team strength is two or more
o Major Function - decontamination of entry team
o Auxilary Function - In emergencies enter the contaminated
area
4.3 Entry Team - Contaminated Area
o the minimal size of: the entry team is two
o A buddy system must always bs used
4.4 fTwo examples of proposed team compositions is appended).
5. Donning and Use of Protective Equipment
5.1 Respirators
5.1.1 Self-Contained breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
o SCBA's should be NIOSH approved .
o SCBA's should provide positive pressure in the mask area.
o SCBA's should provide a tight face seal, although
quantitative fit testing is not required.
o Users of SCBA's should follow the manufacturer's instruc-
tions on the donning and use of their equipment.
O' .Users of SCBA's need hands-on training to guarantee
operator proficiency.
5.1.2 Airline supplied air respirators
o Airline respirators should inset all the above conditions
of SCBA's.
o Airline respirators should only be used in conjunction
with an escape supplied-air cannister.
5.1.3 Air purified resDirators
.o Air purified respirators provide less protection than
. SCRA and airline supplier! nir respirators.
o Air purified respirators should meet NIOSH approval.
o Cartridges should also meet NlUbH approval.
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o Air purified respirators will only provide adequate pro-
tection if there is a good face seal. A quantitative fit
test for each enployee using these respirators is
recommended*
o Users of sir purified respirators should folia-; the
manufacturer's instructions on the donning and use of
their equipment.
o Cartridges should be replaced when the user senses or smells
the vapor» If contaminant of interest does not have
warning prcperties, the cartridge should be replaced
after each use.
5.2 Protective clothing
5.2.1 We recommend the use of disposable protective clothing.
The use of disposables simplifies the on-site decontamination
procedures and eliminates the need-of a decontamination and
maintenance program.
5.2.2 Outer boot coverings (booties) and gloves should be viewed
as disposable items. In field activities the feet and hands
tend to be areas of high chemical exposure.
5.2 = 3 'The donning and use of protection clothing is straightforward.
5.3 Totally enclosed suits
503.1 A totally enclosed suit is a combination of an air supplied
respirator and a complete ensemble of protective clothing.
o .All provisions that apply to air supplied respirators
also apply to totally enclosed suits.
o We recommend the use of disposable external clothing.
5.3.2 An optimal donning sequence is:
o Don interior coveralls, (if used)
o Don colling vest. (if used)
D Don respirator: Folio; pre-entry use procedures as
outlined by the manufacturer.
o Don exterior protective garment,
o Don disposable gloves and booties.
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5.3.3 When using a totally enclosed suit, follow these
precautions:
o Avoid contact with actual spills and contaminated
equipment if possible.
o Avoid contact'with other suited members.
o Don't squat, bend from the middle, so an to avoid
spreading contamination from boots to other parts
of the suit.
o • Allow sufficient respirator service time so that
personnel can undergo the on-site decontamination
procedures.
o Work at a conservative speed, as working in a totally
enclosed suit is hard and can cause body overheating.
5.3.4 The donning and use of a totally enclosed suit is complex:
A buddy system is recommended.
5.3.5 Mission personnel should receive hands-on training in the
donning and use of totally enclosed suits.
6„ On-Site Personnel Decontamination Procedures
6.1 Personnel decontamination procedures will depend on the
mission and type of personal protective equipment being
used.
6.2 The following principles should be observed when develop-
ing personnel decontamination procedures:
o Both entry and decontamination teams should be adequately
protected from chemical exposures.
o Decontaminate and remove the nost heavily contaminated
equipment and clothing first.
o Deposit clothing and equipment in appropriate containers.
o Respirators and interior clothing should be the last
items,removed before washing.
o There should be access to water for washing purpose.
o Waste water and exterior clothing should be considered
contarni nated.
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5.3 The personnel dccontr.' -ion station (PDS} should have
three distinct areas:
o Contaminated Area
o Contamination Reduction Area
o Command Post
6.3.1 h hotline, designated by colored tape, is arbitrarily creat-
ed to separate the contaminated area from the contamination
reduction area.
6.3.2 The contamination reduction area, upwind from the hotline,
should be separated frcm the command post by a minimum of
50 'meters.
6.3.3 The contamination control line, designated by colored tape,
is created to separate the contamination reduction area
frcm the canmsnd post. Personnel -without appropriate
protective clothing should not cross this line.
6.3.4 Appended as reference for on-site team leaders are:
o The Explosive Ordinance Division (EOD) PDS
o h graphic representation of the EOD PDS
o EOD recommended procedures for closing cut PDS
o Suggested material and equipment list for PDS
7° Emergency Medical Procedures
7,1 In case of an accident there should be fully equipped mem-
ber (s) of, the decontamination team ready to enter the con-
taminated area.
7o2 The command post should have phone access to the closest:
o poison control center
o hospital emergency room or ambulence service
7.3 In case of an accident all team irembers and equipment rrust
be decontaminated before leaving the contamination control
area.
7.4 It may be prudent to have a medic as part of the command
post team for some operations.
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8. Decontamination , Maintenance, and Storage
5.1 General
8.1.1 Decontamination, n^ainianarce, astorage are vital elements
of a personal protective equipment program.
8.1.2 These procedures can be both technically difficult and costly.
o The decontamination cost of the technical escort unit
M-3 butyl suit was $130 in 1975.
o The use of disposable clothing eliminates the need for
these procedures.
o All equipment (respirators, communication devices; etc.)
should be kept internal to protective covers or clothing
to minimise decontamination procedures.
8.2 Specific
8.2.1 3esp'ir3tor
o Follow the manufacturer!s instructions on maintenance
(inspection and repair) and storage procedures for air-
supplied respirators.
o Decontaminate and sterilize or dispose of air purified
res pi rators.
8.2.2 Clothing
o Follow manufacturer's decontamination, maintenance, and
storage procedures, if clothing is reused.
o When information from the manufacturer is not available,
develop your own procedure's,
9, Training Requirements
9.1 Personnel involved in entering environments of unknown toxicity will
need training on operational procedures. This training should
include:
o Review .of written procedures
o Field simulation exercises
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9.2 Personnel involved in field operations will need training on the
donning and use of personal protective equipment. This training
should include:
o Review of written instructions
o Actual hands-on training
9.3 Personnel involved in the decontamination and maintenance of personal
protective equipment should receive appropriate training. This
training should include:
o Review of written instructions
o Actual hands-on training
9.4 Written records should be kept of all the training received.
Medical Monitoring
10.1 All employees who will be involved in field activities of unknown
toxicity should be offered a pre-assignment and periodic medical
exams.
10.2 These exams should include but not be limited to:
o routine physical, exam
o routine urinary and blood analysis
o routine pulmonary function tests
10.3 Totally enclosed suits create body overheating to the user if used
for prolonged periods.
o Individuals with a history of cardiovascular disease may be
particularly vulnerable to heat stress. Medical clearance
should be obtained prior to enclosed suit use.
10.4 Individuals who must use respirators and have a history of
cardiopulmonary disease should have medical clearance prior
to such assignment.
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May 17, 19/lJ
Appendi x I
Decision Logic tor Choosing Personal
Protective Equipment During field Activities
Prepared by Neil C. Davis
1. Review all evidence of potential exposure before entry into the
contamination area. If available, the review should include:
o Environmental monitoring
o Historiol records
o Bill of Lading (in transportation spills)
o Placards
o Other sources
2. Review all available toxicological information before entry, including:
o Texts-
o Phone link-up to computer data
o Phone link-up to appropriate experts
o Other sources
3. After reviewing the available environmental and toxicological information
choose protective clothing according to the following criteria:
o If the presume^ toxic exposure is unknown, the maximum protection
of a totally .enclosed suit is required,
o If the exposure is known and is both a severe respiratory and dermal
hazard, a totally enclosed suit is required. Examples:
oo Any substance immediately hazardous to life and health
oo Suspected human carcinogens
oo Category I pesticides
o If the exposure is either a less severe respiratory or cutaneous
hazard, a combination of separate respirator and protective
clothing is required.
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I-A
o If the exposure is solely a cutaneous hazard, use protective
clothing.
oo Disposable boot coverings and gloves are necessary equipment
as feet and hands are high exposure areas,
oo Different materials offer better protection to various
chemical exposures,
o If the exposure is solely a respiratory hazard, use a respirator.
See Attachment 1, the NIOSH respirator decision logic, for choosing
an appropriate respirator.
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Attachment 1
NIOSH RESPIRATOR DESIGN LOGIC
HI.A. SPECIFIC DECISION LOGIC CHART FOP. EESPIF;ATOkY PROTECTION
AGAINST GASES OR VAPORS
Condition
Selection Sequence
Routine Use
Entry and Escape
From Unknown
Concentrations
Firefighting
Escape
(A) Consider irritation and sorption of the
material through tht skin. (See IV A).
(B) Poor warning properties - eliminate
all air purfiyir.g respirators (see IV B).
(C) Eye irritation - eliminate or restrict
use of half-mask respirators (see IV D).
(D) IDLH or LFL - above this concentration eliminate
all but positive pressure self-contained breathing
apparatus and combination positive pressure
supplied air respirator with auxiliary positive pressure
self-contained breathing apparatus (see IV E and F).
(E) List all allowed respirators by condition
of use and type.
Use positive pressure self-contained breathing
apparatus or combination positive pressure supplied
air respirator with auxiliary positive
pressure self-contained breathing apparatus.
Use positive pressure self-contained
breathing apparatus.
Gas musk or escape self-contained
breathing apparatus (see IV C).
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Attachment 1
- 2 -
III.B. SPECIFIC DECISION LOGIC ClIAJtT FOR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
AGAINST PARTICULATES
Condition
Sclecl ion Sequence
Routine Use
Entry and Escape
From Unknown
Concentrations
Firefighting
Escape
(A) Consider skin irrit eticm or sorption of
the material through the skin (see IV A).
(B) Eye irritation - eliminate or restrict
use cf half mask respirator (see IV D).
(C) Systemic poison - eliminate singlo-use
respirator.
(D) For permissible exposures less than 0.05
mg/cu.m, - eliminate DFM respirators except with
high efficiency particulate filter.
(E) IDLH or LFL - above this concentration eliminate
all but positive pressure self-contained breathing
apparatus and combination positive pressure supplied-nir
respirator with auxiliary positive pressure
self-contained breathing apparatus (see IV E).
(F) List all allowed respirators by condition
of use end type.
Use positive pressure self-contained
breathing apparatus or combination positive
pressure supplied air respirator with
positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus.
Use positive pressure self-contained
breathing: apparatus (see IV F).
Use any dust, fume, or mist respirator, except
single use, or any escape self-contained
breathing apparatus.
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Attachment 1
III.C. SPECIFIC DECISION LOGIC CHART FOR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
AGAINST COMBINATION OF GAS OR VAPOR AND PARTICULATES
Condition
Selection f>ec;utnee
Routine Use
Entry end Escape
From Unknown
Concentration
Firefighting
(A) Consider skin Inilai.ion or sorption
of material through the skin (see TV A).
(B) Poor warning properties or inadequate sorbent
efficiency - eliminate all air purifying respirators
(see IVB&C).
(C) Eliminate all respire tors except with
combination sorbent/n-rticulate filter. •
(D) Eye irritation - eliminate or restrict
use of half mask respirator (see IV D).
(E) For permissible exposures less than 0.05
mg/m', - eliminate all respii ators except with
sorhent/higii efficiency particulate filter.
(F) IDLH orLFL- above this concentration eliminate
all but positive pressure self-contained breathing
apparatus and combination positive pressure
supplied-nir respirator with auxiliary
positive pressure self-contained breathing
apparatus, (see IV E).
(G) List all allowed respirators by condition
of use and type.
Use positive pressure self-contained
breathing apparatus or combination
positive pressure supplied air
respirator with positive pressure self-contained
breathing apparatus.
Use positive pressure self-contained
breathing apparatus (see IV F).
Escape
Gas mask or escape self-contained
brenthinp apparatus (sec IV C).
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Appendix JI
EXCLUSION ZONE
20
J 53 M
Wl N
tNJTIAL EXCLUSION
AREA
EXCLUSION ZONE
Figure ¦*>-!. Initial hazard area.
(a) h'xclusion area. 'j.iie initial ex'JusLn
area is that area inside a 450 meter radiu3 .circle
around the accident/incident site. This are:;,
graphically illustrated in figure 4-1. should be
marked on an overlay and maintained on the
situation map at the command post (CP).
(b) Downwind distance. The initial down-
wind distance extends 2000 meters downwind
from the accident/incident site. The downwind
hazard area i3 established by extending two
radial lines at an angle of ^0° on each side of the
primary wind direction (..utal angle'of downwind
hazard area of 40°). Two buiTer zone , extend-
ing from-the edge of the initial exclusion area
are then drawn to intersect the right and left
radial iir.es as shown in figure 4-1. This book
contains a plastic aid for a quick determination
of the initial exclusion area. It is designed to
give the proper distances on maps of 1:25,000
and 1:50,000 scale.) All unprotected personnel
should be evacuated from this area. If available
and time permits, the local authorities performing
this evacuation should wear protective masks.
(3) Initiate rescue operations for injured
personnel determined to be in the hazard £i:aa.
(4) Establish an initial Command Post in
an uncontaminated area at least 500 zneters up
wind frorr. the accident/incident site.
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Appendix III
Example of a Fully Operating Team
At a Chemical Dump Site
Location
Command Post
Contamination Reduction Area
Contamination Area
Team Members
Team leader/press representative/
commurn"cations coordinator
(optional) medic;, technical
experts •
2 to 4 members of the decontami-
nation team, fully equipped to
enter in case of an emergency.
2 to 4 members of the entry team.
it-k-kit ir-lr-k-f'.-kirix i: * k V: A' v'r * * * * ?r * * * * •* * * * * * * i: * x * * >- -A ******* ir * ******* * -.V ********* *
Example of a Fully Operating
Emergency Response Team
^Command Fost. Team leader/press representative/
communications coordinator (All
functions done by one person).
Contamination Reduction Area 1 team member, fully equipped
to enter contaminatei area in
case of an emergency.
Contamination Area 2 entry team members.
*In emergencies where only three team members are present the functions
associated with the command post and contamination reduction area can
be combined a's one function.
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Appendix IV
•&K-2. Procedures
(fig. K-l)
A shuffle' pit may be established on the incident
aide of the hot line if the EOD unit commander
considers it necessary.
a. Step #1—Equipment Drop.
(1) Equipment: Any material which will
prevent the contaminated equipment from contact-
ing tho ground (plastic bags, oil eleth, etc.)
(2) Action: Place all equipment used at the
accident/incident site on the protective material
provided.
b. Step -32—Decontamination.
(1) Equipment:
(~) Containers, preferably sprayer type,
for:
X. Decontamiasnt.
2. Hot soapy water.
S. Rinse wter.
(o) Grate for sump.
(c) Decontaminant in sump.
(2) Action:
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IV--A
Personnel Decontamination Procedures
Used by the Explosive Ordinance Division
U. S'. Army
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Appendix V
Suggested Material and Equipment
for Personnel Decontamination Station
1. A water spraying device (optional).
2. Containers for rinse water and equipment drops.
3. Brushes and detergent to aid in cleaning operations.
4. Plastic bag to double bag all disposable items.
5. Assortment of chemical decontaminants.
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