HazMat Presentation - Martin County, Florida

Hazardous Materials 

Awareness Level Training 

No portion of this document may be reproduced or distributed without the express written consent of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management. 

For Information call the Training Unit at 772-220-7007.



UNIT 1 - “Preparation for Response”

Unit 1 Objectives 

• Identify OSHA and EPA training 

requirements 

• Identify the role of the Awareness Level First 

Responder 

• Identify the roles of the Local Emergency 

Planning Committee (LEPC) and the State 

Emergency Response Commission (SERC) 

2008 Haz-Mat Review 

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• Defined in numerous ways 

– U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) 

– U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

– U.S. Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration (OSHA) 

• Simplified Definition 

• Extremely Hazardous Substances 


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Simplified Definition 

Any substance or material (solid, liquid or gas) that 

when released into the environment is capable of 

causing damage, injury, illness or death. 


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Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) 

• EPA defines an EHS as a hazardous material 

which would present a significant risk to the 

surrounding community and/or environment 

should it be released. 

• These materials have the potential to migrate 

offsite of the release and move throughout the 

environment, presenting an immediate health 

and safety hazard. 


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Hazardous Materials Incidents 

These incidents are unique because they require 

specialized protective measures not normally 

available to first responders AND they demand 

a different operational approach! 


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Mechanisms of Harm 

Thermal 

Etiological 

Asphyxiation 

Mechanical 

Chemical 

Psychological 

Radiological 

T.E.A.M. C.P.R. 


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Public Safety “Duty to Act” 

• Public safety responders have a “Duty to Act”. 

• Your level of involvement is defined by your 

employer’s Emergency Response Plan (ERP). 

• The actions you are expected to take should be in 

Standard Operating Guidelines format. 

• NEVER exceed your level of training and protection! 


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Response Goals 

Recognition 

Isolation 

Protection 

Notification 

Time and Distance 


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Emergency Response Guidebook 

• The ERG is a responder’s tool for success. 

• Every emergency vehicle should have an ERG. 

• Purpose: 

– An aid for identification of the material 

involved. 

– Outlines basic initial actions. 

– Recommends protective action areas. 

– Serves as an initial incident safety plan. 

– National and international emergency 

contact phone numbers.

Federal and State Regulations 

• Congress passed the Emergency Planning and 

Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA) in 1986 

• Florida Legislature passed the Florida Hazardous 

Materials Emergency Response and Community 

Right-to-Know Act in 1988 

• EPCRA, Section 126 mandated that OSHA develop 

safety regulations for first responders. 

• EPCRA requires local communities and facilities to 

plan and prepare for hazardous materials 

emergencies. 


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Development of LEPC 

• What is LEPC – Local Emergency Planning Committee 

• Background - The District X LEPC is one of eleven district 

committees in Florida. District X comprises the following counties: 

Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River 

• The LEPC includes members from the following: law enforcement, 

emergency management, fire fighting, first aid, health, 

environmental interests, hospitals, elected state officials, 

transportation personnel, water management districts, media, 

owners and operators of facilities subject to the requirements of 

Emergency Planning & Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA), 

interested citizens, and non-elected and elected local officials.

Identify facilities 

and transportation 

routes 

Develop SOP’s for 

facility and emergency 

personnel 

Designate 

community and 

facility coordinators 

Develop timely 

detection and 

notification 

procedures 

LEPC 

Maintain regional 

emergency response 

equipment and 

facilities lists 

Maintain 

evacuation plans 

Test and exercise 

hazmat plans 

Provide training 


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Hazardous Waste Operations and 

Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) 

• OSHA and EPA’s safety standard which was 

developed in accordance with the mandate of 

EPCRA, Section 126. 

• Codified as OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 and EPA 40 

CFR 311. 

• Enforced by OSHA. 


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Five Levels of Training 

• First Responder Awareness Level 

• First Responder Operational Level 

• Hazardous Materials Technician 

• Hazardous Materials Specialist 

• Hazardous Materials Incident Commander 


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Operational Modes 

• Awareness and Operational level responders 

take DEFENSIVE actions. 

• Technicians and Specialists take OFFENSIVE 

actions. 

• The Incident Commander coordinates the 

response and is ultimately responsible for 

safety. 


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Unit 1 Summary 

• Definition of hazardous materials and how 

they differ from other emergencies 

• T.E.A.M.C.P.R. 

• Duty to Act and Standard of Care 

• Roles for awareness responders - R.I.P.NOT! 

• EPCRA and the Employer’s Emergency 

Response Plan 

• Five levels of training 

• Two operational modes 


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First Responder 


UNIT 2 - “Hazard Identification” 


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• Identify the six clues to the presence of 

hazardous materials. 

• Identify the various hazard classes of 

hazardous materials. 

• Describe ways in which you can determine the 

specific identity of a hazardous material.

Response Goals 

Recognition 

Isolation 

Protection 

Notification 

Time and Distance 


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Six Basic Clues to Recognition 

1 - Occupancy and location 

2 - Container shape and size 

3 - Placards and labels 

4 - Shipping papers/facility 

documents 

5 - Markings and colors 

6 - Human senses 


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Clue #1 - Occupancy and Location 

• Specific occupancy or general 

area 

• Fixed facilities 

• Five modes of hazardous 

materials transportation 

– Rail, air, marine, highway and 

pipeline 

• Drug lab considerations 


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Clue #1 – Illegal Operations 

Illegal Operations (Drug Labs) 

• Chemical hazards vary 

• Booby traps 

• Labs can be found anywhere 

Some clues to the presence of a drug lab: 

• Unusual traffic 

• Chemical odors 

• Fortified 

• Occupants smoke outside 


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Clue #2 - Container Shape and Size 

• Classifications 

– Portable, fixed or transportation 

– Refer to the Rail and Road Identification Chart in the ERG 

• Pressure 

– Non-pressurized, low or high pressure 

• Vapor Pressure and Storage 

– The higher the pressure, the greater the potential for catastrophic 

failure 

– BLEVE 


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Clue #3 - Placards and Labels 

• Placards and their limitations 

– Not always required 

– 1000 pound rule 

• Placards and labels used for transport 

are based upon DOT Hazard Class 

– Refer to the ERG Table of Placards 

• Nine Hazard Classes 

– Subdivided into divisions 

– Refer to the ERG Hazard 

Classification System 


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Hazard Class 1 - Explosives 

Six Subdivisions 

1.1 - Mass explosion hazard 

1.2 - Projectile hazard 

1.3 - Fire, minor blast or projectile 

1.4 - Minor explosion 

1.5 - Very insensitive explosives 

1.6 - Extremely insensitive 


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Hazard Class 2 - Gases 

• Pressurized or liquefied 

• Product and container present 

hazards 

• Three Subdivisions 

2.1 - Flammable gases 

2.2 - Non-Flammable, Non-Poisonous 

2.3 - Poisonous Gases 


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Hazard Class 3 - 

Flammable/Combustible Liquids 

• Flammable Liquids can be ignited at 

room temperature 

• Combustible Liquids require some 

degree of pre-heating to ignite 

• Number 1 rule - eliminate ignition 

sources 


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Hazard Class 4 - Flammable Solids 

Three Subdivisions 

4.1 - Flammable Solids 

4.2 - Spontaneously Combustible 

4.3 - Dangerous When Wet 


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Hazard Class 5 – Oxidizing Substances 

and Organic Peroxides 

• Oxidizers release oxygen to enhance 

or intensify the burn 

• With strong fuels, oxidizers can 

create conditions which can lead to 

violent combustion 

• Many Organic Peroxides are very 

unstable 


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Hazard Class 6 - Toxic and 

Infectious Substances 

• Poisonous to human 

– Can include severely irritating 

substances 

– “Tear Gas”, Hydrocyanic acid, 

Carbon Tetrachloride 

• Infectious Substances 

– Potential to cause diseases in humans 

– Anthrax, human blood and many 

body fluids 


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Hazard Class 7 - Radioactive Materials 

• Ionizing radiation hazard 

• Exposure does not always 

result in contamination 

• Safety Rules: 

Time, Distance and Shielding 

• Shipped in specialized 

containers 


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Hazard Class 8 - Corrosives 

Materials which cause destruction to human 

skin tissue or a liquid that has a severe 

corrosion rate on steel. 


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Hazard Class 9 - Miscellaneous 


• ORM A - Dry Ice 

• ORM B - Quick Lime, Metallic 

Mercury 

• ORM C - Asphalt, Battery parts 

• ORM D - Consumer commodities 

• ORM E - Hazardous substances 

and hazardous wastes 


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Pesticide Labels 

• Product name 

• Active ingredients 

• Signal word 

– Caution 

– Warning 

– Danger (Poison) 

• Precautionary statements 


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Slide Activity 

Have the students turn to the pages of the ERG which shows 

the pictographs of all the placards and labels which we have 

discussed. Ask the students to select a label which would best 

identify the following materials: 

Liquid pesticide 

Gasoline 

An acid 

A gas used for killing insects 

An explosive 

Answer - Poison 

Answer - Flammable Liquid 

Answer - Corrosive 

Answer - Poison Gas 

Answer – Explosives 

Discuss the selection with the students. Reinforce that the 

material need not be absolutely identified in order to make a 

decision with regard to safety. 


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Clue #4 - Shipping Papers and 

Facility Documents 

MODE NAME LOCATION NOTES 

Highway 

Rail 

Water 

Bill of Lading 

or Freight Bill 

Consist List or 

Waybill 

Dangerous 

Cargo 

Manifest 

Cab of vehicle 

With conductor or 

engineer 

Wheelhouse or vessel 

or document tube or 

box on barge 

Air Airbill Cockpit and outside of 

packages 

Pipeline 

Pipeline 

Markers 

Where pipeline crosses 

another mode of 

transportation 


In arms reach of 

driver 

Itemized listing of 

each car in train 

In possession of the 

pilot 

Indicates owners 

name and 24 hour 

contact information 

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Facility Documents 

• Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) 

– Required for hazardous substances which are 

stored, manufactured, or used in the work place 

– Provides a variety of information such as product 

identification, physical/chemical properties, fire 

data, health data, reactivity data, etc. 

• Other facility documents 

– Emergency Response Plans (ERP) 

– Emergency Action Plans (EAP) 


39

Clue #5 - Markings and Colors 

• Container colors are not always standardized 

• DOT identification numbers 


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Clue #5 - NFPA 704 Diamond 


41

Clue #6 - Human Senses 

High 

TASTE 

TOUCH 

RISK 

LEVEL 

SMELL 

SIGHT 

Low 

SOUND 


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Methods of Identification 

• Once you recognize, try to identify 

• Location of material name 

– Shipping papers 

– Identification Numbers 

– MSDSs (fixed facilities) 

– Facility Pre-Plans 

– Employees and bystanders 

• If you cannot safely identify, try to classify the 

material into a hazard class 


43

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) 

C - Chemical 

B - Biological 

R - Radiological 

N - Nuclear 

E – Energetic 

(Explosives and 

Incendiary) 


44

Terrorist Activity – Target Locations 

• Public assembly areas and mass transit systems, i.e. subways, 

buses 

• Government buildings and historic or symbolic sites 

• Areas of significant economic impact, i.e. regional shopping 

centers 

• Religious or controversial organizations 

• Industrial and military facilities 

• First Responders may intentionally be targeted to increase 

the impact of the attack. 


45

What Is Terrorism? 

The unlawful use of force or violence 

committed by a group or individual against 

persons or property to intimidate or coerce 

a government, the civilian population, or 

any segment thereof, in furtherance of 

political or social objectives. 

--U.S. Department of Justice 


46

Targets in OUR Area? 

• Schools 

Theme Parks 

• Water Treatment 

Plant 

• Herbert Hoover 

Dike 

Nuclear Power Plants 


NASA 

Government Officials 

47

Chemical versus Biological Incident 

Chemical incidents can be identified by the following: 

• Rapid onset of medical symptoms characteristic of chemical 

exposure 

• Natural indicators 

• Chemical residue and odors 

• Indications of a hazardous materials release, i.e. plume or 

cloud 

Biological incidents can be identified by the following: 

• Gradual onset of medical symptoms without obvious odors 

or colors 

• Wide spread migration of the illness 

• Infectious individuals transmitting to others 


48


• Goals of recognition and identification 

– Recognize, Classify, Identify 

• Six clues to the presence of hazardous 

materials 

– Occupancy and location, container shape and size, 

placards and labels, shipping papers and facility 

documents, markings and colors, the human senses 

• There are nine general classes of hazardous 

materials 


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UNIT 3 - “Taking Control” 


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• The necessary actions to be taken to isolate 

the incident. 

• Identify the procedures for initiating the ERP. 

• Identify the procedures for implementing 

protective action distances.

Emergency Response Guidebook 

• Origin 

• Goal 

• Purpose & Limitations 


52

Steps for Proper Use of the ERG 

• Recognize & Identify Hazardous Materials 

– Name 

– Four digit ID number 

– Placard description 

• Look up the guide page number 

• Take basic protective actions according to the 

guide page 

• Initiate isolation and evacuation according to 

protective action distances 


53

ERG Yellow Pages 

Lists chemicals by the four digit ID number 

The number is found on shipping papers, 

on the face of the placard, or in a box 

adjacent to a placard on a vehicle 

Armed with the ID number, you will learn 

the name(s), and the Guide number to be 

referred to in the ERG for basic guidance 


54


55

ERG Blue Pages 

Lists chemicals alphabetically 

The name may be found on shipping 

papers, informative labels, on the vessel, 

etc. 

From this listing you can learn the ID 

number and Guide number 


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57

The Green Pages 

The green section is the Table of Initial Isolation 

and Protective Action Distances 

It is listed by the ID number 

Chemicals in the yellow and blue sections which 

are color highlighted should be further 

researched in the green section 

The table lists isolation distances (total 

evacuation of uncontaminated personnel) and 

distances for downwind protection 


58

Green Pages - continued 

It shows small spills, defined as a small 

package (roughly less than a drum or a 

small leak from a large container), and 

large spills. 

For rank and file, it shows you where you 

can be located 

For supervisory and command personnel, 

it outlines the size of an incident, and 

gives them guidance as to manpower 

resources needed to safely maintain the 

situation 


59


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Basic Protective Actions 

Precautions to protect yourself and others in a 

hazardous materials incident: 

– Approach an incident from upwind and uphill 

– Upwind always takes priority 

– If you cannot approach from upwind stay 

further away 

– Use binoculars to identify labeling 

– Look for all hazards 

– Relay hazards and safety information to others 


61

Control Zones 

WIND 

Incident 

Entry Corridor 

Command area, 

Support 

functions 

Safe 

Refuge 

Decontamination 

HOT WARM COLD 


62

Protective Action Options 

• Shelter in-place 

– Short duration incidents 

– Greater hazard to attempt 

to move 

– Impractical to evacuate 

• Evacuation 

– Potential for massive fire or 

explosion 

– Long duration incidents 


63

Incident Command System (ICS) 

• Initiate ICS, it assists to identify those authorized to 

enter the scene 

• The first responder implements ICS 

• Review the ICS specified in the ERP and SOGs 

• Requires appointment of a safety officer 

• NIMS and HAZWOPER require ICS 


64

Routes and Extent of Exposure 

• Inhalation 

• Ingestion 

• Injection 

• Absorption (dermal contact) 

Children and elderly are of special concern. 


65

Preventing Contamination 

Prevent Direct Contamination 

• Avoid direct contact with the product, its gases, 

vapors or smoke from any fire 

Prevent Secondary Contamination 

• Do not allow anyone or anything to leave the area 

without being evaluated for decontamination 

needs 

• This evaluation needs to be performed by 

qualified individuals and properly protected 

personnel 


66

The 4 Don’ts 

Don’t 

become a 

victim 

Don’t rush in 

The 4 

Don’ts 

Don’t TEST 

(Taste, Eat, 

Smell, Touch) 

Don’t assume 

anything 


DPT 7.0 

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Specific Actions for Suspected 

Terrorist Incidents 

• Take self-protective actions 

• Be alert to secondary devices 

• Communicate suspicions during the notification 

process 

• Establish work control zones and access control 

points 

• Document the initial observation 

• Attempt to preserve evidence 


68

Proper Guide Page Use 


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Table of Protective Action Distances 


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Emergency Response Information 

• Firefighting 

– Definition of “Haz-Mat Fire” 

– Defensive vs. Offensive 

– Role of the awareness responder 

• Spill / Leak Control 

– Not an awareness level role 

• First Aid 

– Remember to prevent secondary contamination 


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• ERG provides guidelines 


• You can find a guide page by: 

– Name, ID number or placard comparison 

• Basic instructions - page 1 

• Two indexes 

• Orange guide pages 

• Green protective action pages 


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UNIT 4 - “Termination and Final Activities” 


73


• Identify the three actions necessary for 

proper termination 

• Identify the information that should be 

received by responders during on scene 

debriefing 


74

Decontamination 

• Decontamination can be something as 

simple as washing your hands with soap 

and water . 

• In more serious cases, you may need to 

be decontaminated by fire rescue 

personnel. 

• Be sure to be decontaminated at the end 

of the incident when you have been 

relieved. 


75

Reasons for Termination 

• Required by OSHA 

• Relates important 

information to the 

responders 

• Ensures exposures are 

documented 

• Ensures that we improve 

our future responses 


76

Steps to Proper Termination 

• On-scene Debriefing 

– Chemical or Agent 

– Health Effects 

– Signs/Symptoms 

– Responsive Actions 

• Incident Critique 

• After Action Report 


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• Reasons for incident termination 

• Steps to proper incident termination 

• On-scene debriefing 


78

References: 

• Emergency Response Guide (ERG) 2004 

• MCSO Policy 304.04 

• D/S Joe Passanesi MCSO 


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HazMat Presentation - Martin County, Florida

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