Case Study : Interactions Of Hazardous Materials

Introduction. On 06 January 2005, a cargo train carrying a massive amount of chlorine spilled in Graniteville, South Carolina creating panic and indeed chaos to both citizens and emergency managers on how to properly respond to the hazardous materials released from the train wreckage. The people of the small rural town of Graniteville located just outside of Aiken, South Carolina, where caught in their sleep when Freight train 192 traveling approximately 47 mph struck other consignments spilling a dangerous amount of chlorine gas into the atmosphere. As a result of this disaster, 5,400 individuals were evacuated from their homes whiling causing nine death. The magnitude of such disaster was one that would change any town or city forever.

If the risk is going to cause injury or damage to health and safety of others or property then the risk should be reported straight away to the manager, senior, or senior on call, or the correct emergency agencies. i.e. gas

I will start by addressing the issues with the Chemistry Department, which is the area that handles most of the hazardous materials. The first thing I will do here, with the help of a competent person, will be to conduct an extensive inventory of all the chemicals present at this department, including the chemicals at the new Forensic Department, also keeping in mind that some of these chemicals could be used at other departments within the facility. Along with the inventory, and with the help of a competent person from the warehouse or from the Administration office, I will research the Safety Data

In order to mitigate exposure to harmful substances, first responders are trained to be familiar with hazardous substance identification systems. These two systems are the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) 704 system, and the Department of Transportation (DOT) HAZMAT identification system (Weekly reading; Unit 2: Hazardous Materials Identification Systems). Deadly threats exist in the aftermath of any terrorist attacks, so first responders should be aware of these systems, and the dangers they will face.

“During the early 1900’s the discovery of oil and natural gas in areas around Baton Rouge attracted chemical companies to the city” (Reilly). Since the beginning of the 1900’s Louisiana has been a large refining state, one may say one of the best, but also one of the most damaging. It can be safely said that since the start of refining in Louisiana well over a billion pounds of pollution has been released. In 2011 alone over a million pounds of chemicals were released into the air and a separate 1.3 million had been released into the water. All of Louisiana’s 17 refineries reported accidents contributing to these chemical spills (Sturgis). The numbers that have been presented so far may not seem out of the ordinary

This paper will look at NFPA 472 and what it does to protect the FireFighter. NFPA 472 is a very interesting standard as it is the standard of competence of responders to hazardous materials/weapons of mass destruction incidents. The purpose of this standard is to specify the minimum effectiveness for those who respond to hazardous materials and WMD incidents and necessary for a risk based response to the incidents. Hazmat situations can be a very tricky situation with all the recently introduced acids and gasoline of the current era. NFPA 472 keeps the FireFighter safe and effective on duty.

Emergency warnings and alerts should be send to the audiences via email alerts or by posting in status about the potential risks about carrying of the flammable oil across the rail line. The alert notifications should include the protective measures that are to taken if the explosion of the tanks in the rail occurs and the steps to be taken in the emergency situation. Which Includes, how to get the fire in control by using the carbon dioxide tanks

The first step to any emergency action plan is to conduct a hazard assessment and the best way conduct to do that is to conduct a walk-through of the facility or area (Haight, 2012). In this scenario, our facility is a service station with fuel holding tanks and convenience store items which is located in close proximity to the center of town, a housing development, an elementary school, playground, baseball field, and wooded area. The nature of the business makes it a hazard, the location of it makes it a hazard to the community. Using the General Behavior Model, possible hazards and their reactions, as well as ways to prevent them are discussed.

Keywords: Howard Street Tunnel fire, hazardous material, Incident Command System, Incident Commander, Span of Command, Command and control process

Hazardous materials releases can occur in any location and time. The potential of a release is dependent on the volume, distribution, and use of the hazardous substances within a particular area. Hazard identification, planning, and response preparedness is an ongoing process and must be addressed through a cooperative partnership between the public and private sectors (Washoe County LEPC, 2006).

Events which interfere with the normal operations of Hennepin Technical College (HTC) are unavoidable. The purpose of this document is to explain the actions, roles, and responsibilities that are to be taken by individuals and departments in the event of a spill or release of a hazardous chemical or waste. (Homeland Security, 2011)

An oil spill represents an immediate fire hazard. The Kuwaiti oil fires produced air pollution that caused respiratory distress. The Deepwater Horizon explosion killed eleven oil rig workers. The fire resulting from the Lac-Mégantic derailment killed 47 and destroyed half of the town’s centre.

The current PSM standard does not require facilities to coordinate emergency planning with local emergency responders. This can result in a poor understanding of the hazards involved with the regulated chemical. Subsequently emergency responders may be at an increased risk of injuries and death. Requiring such coordination could improve emergency response and safety (Process Safety Management and Prevention of Major Chemical Accidents, 2013).

“Get down!” I’d yell while covering my face into my coat. Not only would I bury my face in my coat, but I’d keep my face covered as long as I can and as best as I can. The toxic debris would kill me if I didn’t have a pocket of clean air. Moreover, if there’s dust everywhere I won’t be able to see anything which could prevent me from seeing the lights that the firefighters flash for survivors to follow to safety. One of the first things I’d need to do to be protected, is to be either covered by something, or be in front of something so that all of the metal and other harmful debris doesn’t hit my body as hard.

There is almost nothing in this world where there is no risk involved. Risk involved is a major topic of concern in everyday life more than ever before. This report gives an overview about the risks involved in everyday life and especially in the oil and gas industry.