/«\U.S. EPA

ro
z
LU
^REGION VIII PREPAREDNESS
<
30
% 	
' 
-------
Unplanned Experiments (cont.)
2. Develop and follow appropriate health and safety training and
worksite practices for staff/students who use chemicals:
•	Store hazardous chemicals securely, in well-ventilated and lit
areas; and, in tightly closed, properly labeled containers.
•	Avoid the combination of incompatible chemicals (For example,
do not store alphabetically).
•	Avoid the use of flammable chemicals near open ignition
sources (i.e. furnaces and space heaters) or damaged electrical
outlets and wiring.
•	Perform periodic maintenance checks on vessels and
equipment that contain hazardous chemicals (Look for unexpected
crystallization in bottles, or bulging containers).
3.	Develop and distribute campus-specific contingency plans; then, train staff and students on
emergency practices and procedures for chemical events, such as:
•	Practice evacuation and "shelter-in-place" drills with faculty
•	Compile chemical event notebooks with emergency checklists and phone contacts, chemical
inventories and material safety data sheets (MSDS).
•	Designate lead staff to serve as monitors who would be responsible for making sure everyone
under their charge follows the appropriate evacuation procedures.
4.	Develop, communicate and implement preventative policies and practices with chemicals on school
grounds to:
•	Ensure that proper ventilation practices are considered when chemicals like pesticides, paints,
and floor strippers are applied.
•	Identify and properly dispose of waste or derelict chemicals that have been in storage for an
unknown period of time.
•	Enforce policies on improper possession or use of chemicals when observed on school grounds;
common items may include liquid mercury, pepper spray, or cans of spray paint.
•	Substitute equipment that does not use mercury when replacement purchases are made; such
as thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, or electrical equipment.
Another important factor with school safety is the potential for chemical/flammable risks outside of the
school. School administrators should consider information that is available through GIS mapping tools
and Tier II reports that would contain important information to assess potential environmental threats
to schools. For more information on accessing GIS mapping tools, please contact one of the EPA
Region 8 Preparedness staff, (contact information found on pg. 8). For more information on accessing
Tier II reports, please contact the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) contact for your
state. You can find out who your SERC contact is at http://www.epa.gov/oem/content/epcra/
serc_contacts.htm.
Resources:
Additional information and resource materials for schools are available from the federal government's Environmental Protection
Agency, such as the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Kit ttp://www.epa.goy/schools/toolkit.html
or the Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool
www.epa.gov/schools/healthvseat
-------
SPCC Revised Guidance
Revised Oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC)
Guidance for Regional Inspectors
In August 2013, EPA revised the SPCC Guidance for Regional Inspectors which is
intended to assist regional inspectors in reviewing a facility's implementation of
the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule at 40 CFR part
112. This guidance document is also available to owners and operators of facilities
that may be subject to the requirements of the SPCC rule, and the general public on how EPA
intends the SPCC rule to be implemented. The document is designed to provide a consistent
national policy on several SPCC-related issues.
This guidance is a living document and will be revised, as necessary, to reflect any relevant
regulatory amendments. Additionally, EPA welcomes comments from the regulated community
and the public on the guidance. For further information:
Webinars on the revisions to the SPCC Guidance for Regional Inspectors
How do I comment on the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure CSPCO Guidance for
Regional Inspectors?
Disclaimer
Using the Guidance
Guidance Content
Prepare Pueblo Launch
September was National Preparedness month...
... and what a great time to launch the exciting new "Prepare
Pueblo" campaign!
II	n « Over the next year the Colorado Chemical Stockpile Emergency
PCQPSTQ PUeOlG Preparedness Program (CSEPP) PIOs will use a combination of
paid media advertising (in theatres, on radio and billboards, in
the news paper, and the chamber of commerce and direct mail pieces), social media, and traditional
outreach tactics (information booths at events, presentations, news releases, etc.) to encourage Pueblo,
Colorado to prepare for emergencies at home, at school, and at work. The over arching theme
throughout the next year will be "It starts with you!"
The campaign kicks off with a with a simple message.... "Talk."
Please take a moment to checkout and bookmark www.PreparePueblo.com
"Like" us on Facebook. (click here)
"Follow" us on Twitter, (click here)
Congratulations to team Colorado CSEPP PIOs (Lisa Shorter, Pueblo County Emergency Services
Bureau; Micki Trost, Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management; and Chuck
Sprague, Pueblo Chemical Depot) for your hard work and dedication to preparing your Whole
Community! They challenge you, no matter where you are, to have that family talk because. . .
"It starts with you!"
-------
Lessons Learned... Ammonium Nitrate
EPA, OSHA and ATF Provide Information and Lessons Learned About the Safe Storage,
Handling and Management of Ammonium Nitrate
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), have issued a chemical
advisory that provides information on the hazards of ammonium nitrate (AN) storage, handling and
management. This action supports the goals of President Obama's August 2013 executive order on
"Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security." The advisory provides lessons learned for facility
owners and operators, emergency planners and first responders from recent incidents, including the
explosion in West, Texas, involving AN in order to prevent similar incidents.
"Understanding and minimizing the hazards posed by solid ammonium nitrate used in fertilizers is a key
component of this advisory," said Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Solid
Waste and Emergency Response. "In addition, the community emergency planning and response
information in this document provides a valuable tool that will help protect workers, first responders and
communities throughout the country."
"Ammonium nitrate can be very dangerous, and it's imperative that employers, workers and first
responders all understand the hazards," said Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for
Occupational Safety and Health. "With this understanding, together they can control these hazards and
save lives and limbs."
"ATF National Response Team works closely with other federal, state and local emergency personnel
responding to incidents, to include ammonium nitrate explosions," says Arthur Herbert, ATF Assistant
Director for the Office of Enforcement Programs and Services. "ATF maintains an open dialogue with first
responders of the possible hazards of ammonium nitrate and is committed to working towards
development of best practices in collaboration with our federal partners, industry members and their
association representatives."
The advisory takes steps now to reduce the risks associated with AN to workers, first responders and
communities. It is part of an ongoing coordinated federal government effort to improve chemical safety
with regards to AN and includes information on ensuring proper building design, storage containers and
fire protection at their locations; learning from other accidents; and knowing and understanding the
hazards that exist when developing their emergency response plans.
Earlier this month, President Obama directed the federal government to improve operational coordination
with state and local partners; enhance federal agency coordination and information sharing; modernize
policies, regulations and standards; and work with stakeholders to identify best practices to improve
chemical safety.
President Obama established the Chemical Facility Safety and Security Working Group. To this end, this
advisory was developed by working group members and was facilitated by the working group process.
View the advisory and more information on EPA's risk
management program: http://www.epa.gov/
emergencies/content/rmp/index. htm
View President Obama's Executive Order: htto://
www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/Q8/01/
executive-order-improvino-chemical-facilitv-safetv-
and-securitv
-------
Page 5
Training & Exercises
Region 8 creates an annual Training and Exercise Plan (TEP) to address our current
priorities and methodologies in training and exercise (T&E) activities. A schedule listing our
regional trainings and exercises is developed for each year showing the type of T&E,
location, time, sponsor, participants and regional priorities being addressed (see attached
T&E Schedule).
We are always open to assist and participate in exercises that relate to or have a
component of our ESF 10 responsibilities including; chemical, biological, radiological,
nuclear or explosive (CBRNE) events, as well as other hazardous materials incidents.
Please contact Luke Chavez (chavez.Iuke(a)epa.gov. 320-312-6512) - Exercise Coordinator if
you have any questions regarding EPA Region 8 T&E or have an exercise that we may assist
you in. Planning and Exercise Schedule
Isotope Identifier Training Class
Register for one of our upcoming seminars on the SAM 940 Isotope
Identifier, a fast and accurate radionuclide detection tool for
radiation safety and health physics professionals. The SAM 940
training course provides attendees with a comprehensive
understanding of the principles and techniques involved in radiation
detection and isotope identification. The workshop includes theory
and hands on use of the Berkeley Nucleonics Model SAM 940 with
Nal (Sodium Iodide) and CeBr (Cerium Bromide) detection
materials.
Expanded Topics include -
* Faster Isotope Identification with Hysterisis
~Considering Neutron Detectors
*Gamma Detection with Nal vs Bromides
~Transferring Data to Reachback
*WiFi, Streaming, Logging, Application Specific Tools
Washington DC Area
Los Angeles, CA
San Francisco, CA
Princeton, NJ
Houston, TX
Baton Rouge, LA
Salt Lake City, UT
Nov 12, 2013
Nov 14, 2013
Dec 3, 2013
Jan 14, 2014
Jan 16, 2014
Feb 13, 2014
April 11, 2014
EPA Region 8 Presents
RMP Ag Ammonia Training
The focus of this training is program 2
RMP facilities reporting for anhydrous
ammonia.
EPA CAA 112(r)(7) RMP Ag Ammonia
Webinar:
http://www.epa.aov/reaion8/
aaammonia/plaver.html
-------
Page 6
A potential disaster was avoided as a result of an
attentive home owner who recognized the potential
negative consequences of the surface application of a
rodenticide in their Elkhorn Ranch Subdivision of
Elbert County, Colorado. The green colored toxic
rodenticide (oats laced with chlorophacinone) was
applied liberally around more than 1,000 prairie dog
holes in the subdivision and remained openly
accessible to a vulnerable population including
children, pets and other wildlife.
When the Colorado Department of Agriculture called
the EPA Emergency Response center around 4 p.m. on
Friday, April 12, OSC Pete Stevenson alerted
Response On-Scene Coordinator Due Nguyen and the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide & Rodenticide Act Program (FIFRA). FIFRA put together information sheets
detailing the specifics on how to safely apply the rodenticide and provided fact sheets for distribution to
homeowners to inform and alert them to the danger of the poisonous bait then lying openly on the
ground.
EPA called a meeting with contractors, Colorado Department of Agriculture, and the Elbert County
Sheriff's Department for 8:00 a.m. on April 13th at the site to plan community outreach efforts. The
Elkhorn Ranch Subdivision is a multi-acre housing development about 10 miles east of Parker, CO.
Homes are built on small acreages; approximately 20% or 80 acres of the subdivision is currently
developed.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Elbert County Sheriff's Department helped obtain access
and distribute the FIFRA fact sheets to residents through door-to-door inquiries. The Home Owners'
Association provided a map of the location where the pesticide had been applied and, through their
website, asked home owners to call to verbally grant property access.
EPA and their contractors worked through the weekend to rid the community of the rodenticide, which
was identified as Rozol® Prairie Dog Bait. The active ingredient, chlorophacinone, is an anticoagulant.
Label warnings specify that the chemical must only be used between October 1 and March 15 (to avoid
contact with other wildlife) and be placed 6 inches down the prairie dog burrow entrance. The warning
states specifically that no bait should be left exposed on the soil surface.
EPA filled a total of seven 55-gallon drums with the inappropriately applied prairie dog bait. Collection
was at first made with shovels, and later with a vacuum. The local fire department volunteered to store
the barrels of recovered bait for the three weeks before the disposal and final transportation could be
arranged.
Soil samples verified that no significant residue remained. The only known casualty of the mis-applied
bait was a field mouse. Homeowners were trained on how to properly use rodenticide in accordance with
labels in the future. Emergency Responders were successful in purging the area of the poisonous prairie
dog bait before any children, their parents, pets or wildlife were affected.
-------
Page 8

Preparedness Unit Mission Statement:
We will increase EPA Region 8 preparedness through:
•	Planning, Training, Exercising, and developing outreach relations with federal agencies,
states, tribes, local organizations and the regulated community.
•	Assisting in the development of EPA Region 8 preparedness planning and response
capabilities through the RSC, IMT, RRT, OPA, RMP, etc.
•	Working with facilities to reduce accidents and spills through education, inspections and
enforcement. To view our programs, or contact a member of our team:
(Click here for Org Chart)
Acronym List
IMT Incident Management Team
OPA Oil Pollution Act
RRT Regional Response Team
RSC Response Support Corps
SPCC Spill Prevention. Control, and Countenneasures
Emergencies
Report oil or
chemical spills n\
800-424-8802
More ...
1 (800) 424-8802
National
| Response
Center
www.nrc.uscg.mil
Need More info on the Risk Management Program (RMP)?
-^5	RMP Reporting Center
The Reporting Center can answer questions about software or installation problems. The RMP Reporting
Center is available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, for questions on the Risk
Management Plan program: (703) 227-7650 (phone) RMPRC@epacdx.net (e-mail)
Chemical Emergency Preparedness & Prevention Office (CEPPO) http://www.epa. gov/oem
Compliance and Enforcement: http://www2.epa.gov/enforcement
Compliance Assistance: :ittp://w\vw.CDa.gov/occacrtli/assislancc/index,litml
Call our hotline, the Superfund, TRI, EPCRA, RMP, and Oil Information Center (800) 424-9346 or (703) 412-9810 TDD (800)
553-7672 or (703) 412-3323 Mon-Thurs 10:00 am to 3:00 pmET (except Federal Holidays) or see
VAVw.epa.gov/superiiind/contacts/iofocenter,'
You can also call or write to:
U.S. EPA Region 8
1595 Wynkoop Street (8EPR-ER)
Denver, CO 80202-1129
800-227-8917
CO, MT, ND, SD. UT, and WY
To report an oil or chemical spill, call the National Response Center at (800) 424-8802.
This newsletter provides information on the EPA Risk Management Program, EPCRA, SPCC/FRP (Facility Response Plan) and
other issues relating to Accidental Release Prevention Requirements. The information should be used as a reference tool, not as
a definitive source of compliance information. Compliance regulations are published in 40 CFR Part 68 for CAA section 112(r)
Risk Management Program, 40 CFR Part 355/3 70for EPCRA, and 40 CFR Part 112.2 for SPCC/FRP.
-------