31Hazardous Materials: Personal Protective

Equipment, Scene

Safety, and Scene Control

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Objectives (1 of 5)

• Describe personal protective equipment (PPE) used for hazardous materials incidents.

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Objectives (2 of 5)

• Identify the purpose, advantages, and limitations of the following items: – Structural firefighting protective clothing– High-temperature-protective clothing– Chemical-protective clothing– Liquid splash-protective clothing– Vapor-protective clothing.

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Objectives (3 of 5)

• Discuss respiratory protection in a hazardous material incident.

• Describe the levels of hazardous materials personal protective equipment.

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Objectives (4 of 5)

• Identify skin-contact hazards encountered at hazardous materials incidents.

• Describe the safety precautions to be observed, including those for heat and cold stress, when approaching and working at hazardous materials incidents.

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Objectives (5 of 5)

• Describe the physical capabilities required and limitations of personnel working in PPE.

• Describe techniques used to isolate hazard areas and deny entry.

• Describe the importance of the buddy system and backup personnel.

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Introduction

• At a hazardous materials incident, PPE, scene control, site management, and personal accountability are critical issues.

• Safe handling of hazardous materials incident is often determined in the first 5 to 15 minutes

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Levels of Damage

• TLV-STEL

• TLV-TWA

• TLV-C

• Threshold limit value/skin

• PEL

• IDLH

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Threshold Limit Value

• The point at which the material begins to affect a person

• Various definitions indicate the levels of protection that are required

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TLV-STEL

• Maximum concentration a person can be exposed to in 15-minute intervals, up to four times a day without damage.

• Minimum 1 hour rest between exposures

• Lower the TLV-STEL, the more toxic the substance.

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TLV-TWA

• Maximum concentration a person can be exposed to 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week without damage

• The lower the TLV-TWA, the more toxic the substance.

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TLV-C

• Maximum concentration a person can be exposed to, even for an instant.

• The lower the TLV-C, the more toxic the substance.

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Threshold Limit Value/Skin

• Indicates the concentration at which direct exposure or airborne contact with a material could result in possible and significant exposure by absorption through the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes.

• Take appropriate measures to minimize contact with the skin.

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PEL

• Also called the Recommended Exposure Level (REL)

• Comparable to the TLV-TWA

• Maximum, time-weighted concentration to which 95% of healthy adults can be exposed over a 40-hour workweek without damage

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IDLH (1 of 2)

• An atmospheric concentration of any toxic, corrosive, or asphyxiant that poses an immediate threat to life or could cause irreversible or delayed adverse health effects

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IDLH (2 of 2)

• Three types of IDLH atmospheres:– Toxic– Flammable– Oxygen deficient

• IDLH atmospheres require the use of SCBA or equivalent protection.

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Determining Atmospheric Safety

• Atmospheric monitoring requires specific training and equipment.

• Three types of atmospheres at a hazardous materials incident:– Safe– Unsafe– Dangerous

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Selection of Proper PPE

• Potentially life-saving decision

• The IC should approve the level of PPE to be used on an incident.

• Fire fighters should not use PPE they have not been trained to use.

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Types of PPE

• Street clothing and work uniforms

• Structural firefighting protective clothing

• High-temperature-protective clothing

• Chemical-protective clothing and equipment

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Hazardous Materials Protection (1 of 2)

• Street clothing and work uniforms– Offers no protection

from hazardous materials

• Structural firefighting protective clothing– Offers almost no

chemical protection

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Hazardous Materials Protection (2 of 2)

• High-temperature-protective clothing– Offers protection from

high temperatures only

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Chemical Protective Clothing and Equipment

• Designed to prevent chemicals from coming in contact with the body– Have varying degrees of resistance

• Chemical-resistant materials – Designed to inhibit or resist the passage of

chemicals into and through the material by penetration, permeation, degradation.

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Penetration

• Flow or movement of a hazardous chemical through closures, seams, porous materials, pinholes, or other imperfections

• Liquids and solids can penetrate.

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Permeation

• Process by which a hazardous chemical moves through a material at the molecular level

• Occurs through the material itself, rather than through an opening in the material

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Degradation

• Physical destruction or decomposition of a material due to chemical exposure, general use, or ambient conditions

• Usually evidenced by signs such as charring, shrinking, swelling, color changes, or dissolving

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Garment Construction

• Single piece– Completely encloses wearer – Known as an encapsulated suit or acid suit

• Multipiece– Works with the wearer’s respiratory

protection, an attached or detachable hood, gloves, and boots

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Material Used In Construction

• Butyl rubber

• Tyvek®

• Saranex

• PVC

• Vitron

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Liquid Splash-Protective Clothing

• Protects skin and eyes

• Does not provide total body protection from gases or vapors

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Vapor-Protective Clothing

• Must be used when hazardous vapors are present

• Traps heat and perspiration

• SCBA or air-line hoses must be used

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Respiratory Protection Devices

• Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

• Supplied air respirator (SAR)

• Air-purifying respirator (APR)

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SCBA

• Prevents exposure through inhalation or ingestion

• Should be mandatory for fire service personnel

• Fire fighters must know the limitations of SCBA

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SAR

• A hose connects the user to the air source and provides air to the face piece.

• Useful during extended operations

• Length of hose line may restrict movement.

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APRs (1 of 2)

• Removes particulates and contaminants from the air

• Should only be used when:– Type and amount of

contaminants known– Atmosphere is not

oxygen deficient.

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APRs (2 of 2)

• Do not have a separate source of air

• Ambient atmosphere must contain a minimum of 19.5% oxygen.

• Filtering cartridges are contaminant specific.

• Atmosphere must be continuously monitored.

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Level A Protection

• Heavy encapsulating suit– Highest level of

protection– Effective against

vapors, gases, mists, dusts

• Requires SCBA or SAR

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Level B Protection

• Chemical-protective clothing, boots, gloves, and SCBA

• High respiratory protection but less skin protection required

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Level C Protection

• Standard work clothing plus chemical-protective clothing, chemical-resistant gloves, and a form of respiratory protection

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Level D Protection

• Lowest level of protection

• Should be used for nuisance contamination only

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Skin Contact Hazards (1 of 4)

• Principal dangers of hazardous materials are toxicity, flammability, and reactivity.

• Hazardous materials can harm the inadequately protected body.

• Assume the worst, and leave the largest possible safety margin.

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Skin Contact Hazards (2 of 4)

• Skin can absorb harmful toxins without any sensation to the skin itself.– Do not rely on pain or irritation as a warning of

absorption.– Some substances are lethal if only a few

drops contact the skin.

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Skin Contact Hazards (3 of 4)

• Skin absorption is enhanced by abrasions, cuts, heat, and moisture.

• Absorption rate depends on body part.– Chemicals are absorbed through the skin on

the scalp much faster than through the forearm.

– Eyes have one of the fastest means of exposure.

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Skin Contact Hazards (4 of 4)

• Corrosives will immediately damage skin or body tissues upon contact.– Acids

• Have a strong affinity for moisture• Create a clot-like barrier that blocks deep skin

penetration

– Alkalis• Turns tissue to soapy liquid

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Safety Precautions

• Standard safety precautions for firefighting apply to hazardous materials incidents.

• In addition, special attention must be paid to temperature and stress.

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Excessive Heat Disorders

• Fire fighters operating in protective clothing should be aware of the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion, heat stress, heat stroke and dehydration.

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Heat Exhaustion (1 of 2)

• Mild form of shock caused by overheating when the body cannot dissipate heat

• Body’s core temperature rises causing weakness and profuse sweating followed by dizziness or blurred vision

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Heat Exhaustion (2 of 2)

• Emergency action:– Remove victim from

the source of heat.– Rehydrate– Provide cooling

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Heat Stroke (1 of 2)

• Life-threatening condition resulting from the total failure of the body’s temperature-regulation capacity

• Signs and symptoms include:– Reduction or cessation of sweating – Body temperature at or above 105 ºF – Rapid pulse

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Heat Stroke (2 of 2)

• Signs and symptoms (continued)– Hot skin– Headache– Confusion– Unconsciousness

• This is a true medical emergency requiring immediate transport to a medical facility.

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Dehydration

• Prehydrate with 8 to16 oz. of water before donning PPE.

• Rehydrate with 16 oz. of water for each SCBA tank used.

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Cooling Technologies (1 of 3)

• Many response agencies employ some form of cooling technology under the garment– Air, ice, and water cooled vests– Phase change cooling technology– Each is designed to reduce the impact of heat

stress on the body

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Cooling Technologies (2 of 3)

• Forced air-cooling systems– Operate by forcing pre-chilled air through a

system of hoses worn close to the body.

• Fluid-chilled systems– Operate by pumping ice-chilled liquids from a

reservoir through a series of tubes held within a vest-like garment.

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Cooling Technologies (3 of 3)

• Passive systems (ice or gel packed vests)– Commonly used due to low cost– Designed to be worn around the torso

• Phase change cooling technology– Similar to passive systems– Chilled to 60 °F – Fabric of the vest is designed to wick

perspiration away from the body.

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Cold-Temperature Exposures (1 of 3)

• Two types of cold exposure:– Materials related

• Liquefied gases and cryogenic materials expose fire fighters to the same low-temperature hazards as those created by cold-weather environments

– Weather related• Temperature and wind speed• Still air is a poor conductor

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Cold-Temperature Exposures (2 of 3)

• Despite temperature, fire fighters will sweat. – Wet clothing extracts heat from the body up to

240 times faster than dry clothing. – May lead to hypothermia

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Cold-Temperature Exposures (3 of 3)

• Prevention – Wear appropriate,

layered clothing. – Keep layers next to

skin dry. – Warm shelters should

be available.

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Physical Capability Requirements

• Hazardous materials response operations put a great deal of both physiological and psychological stress on responders.

• Every emergency response organization should have a health and safety management program.

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Medical Surveillance Program (1 of 2)

• Cornerstone of the health and safety management system

• Two primary objectives:– Determine fitness for

duty– Detect changes in

body system functions

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Medical Surveillance Program (2 of 2)

• Ongoing, systematic evaluation of response personnel

• Fire fighters should be examined by a physician at least once a year.

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Medical Monitoring (1 of 3)

• Pre-entry– Vital signs– Skin inspection (rashes or open sores)– Should be completed within the hour before

the fire fighter enters the hazardous environment

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Medical Monitoring (2 of 3)

• During the incident– Team member exhibits changes in gait,

speech, or behavior– Anyone complaining of chest pain, dizziness,

shortness of breath, weakness, nausea, or headache

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Medical Monitoring (3 of 3)

• After decontamination– Normal baseline values should be attained

within 15 to 20 minutes– Anyone who does not return to baseline levels

should be treated and transported to a definitive care facility

– Vital signs should be checked every 5 to 10 minutes

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Response Safety Procedures

• Isolate and deny entry.

• Eliminate ignition sources.

• Operations cannot begin until the area is identified and the perimeter is secured

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Control Zones (1 of 2)

• Designated areas at a hazardous materials incident based upon safety and the degree of hazard

• Labels:– Hot zone– Warm zone– Cold zone

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Control Zones (2 of 2)

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Hot Zone

• Area immediately around the incident site

• Contains personnel and equipment needed to control the release

• Access is limited.

• Entries and exits are logged.

• Technicians only

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Warm Zone

• Staging area for entering and leaving the hot zone

• Contains an access corridor and a decontamination corridor

• Only essential personnel allowed.

• Generally one level below what is used in the hot zone

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Cold Zone

• “Safe area” where special protective clothing is not needed

• Cold zone operations include:– Personnel staging– Incident Command Post– EMS providers– Area for medical treatment

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Isolation Techniques (1 of 2)

• Approach from upwind and uphill.– Resist the urge to rush in.– Keep people away from the scene and

outside the safety perimeter.– Identify the area verbally over the radio– Cordon off the area– Police officers should assist fire fighters

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Isolation Techniques (2 of 2)

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Buddy System and Backup Personnel

• Backup personnel are used to ensure the safety of emergency crews.

• The decontamination team must be in place before anyone enters the hot zone.

• No one should enter the hot zone alone.

• Team members should always remain within sight, sound, or touch of each other.

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Summary (1 of 3)

• PPE must be chosen specifically for the hazardous materials involved in an incident.

• Four recognized levels of protective clothing

• Use of respiratory protection is essential on most hazardous materials incidents.

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Summary (2 of 3)

• Be aware of and know how to handle both heat- and cold-related emergencies.

• Monitor responder vital signs before, during, and after a hazardous materials incident.

• Resist the urge to rush in.

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Summary (3 of 3)

• Only fire fighters trained to the technician or specialist levels should enter the hot zone.

• Work in teams of two in the hot zone.

• Ensure a backup team is prepared to enter the hot zone to effect a rescue.