Safety Emergency Response to Hazmat

When arriving at a situation involving hazardous materials---or hazmat---first responders must consider the scene's safety, both for themselves and nearby individuals. Performing a variety of safety actions will help the responders control the hazmat appropriately and enhance the safety of the emergency response.

Initial Approach

• First responders must take extreme caution when approaching a hazmat site. They must not rush into an unknown situation and become victims themselves. When first arriving on scene, they should observe wind direction and approach the scene from upwind, notice the location and flow of any spills, vapors, smoke and other hazmat items, check for victims and identify other potential dangers in the surrounding area. This safety check should only take a few moments, but will provide vital information to responders.

Material Identification

• Knowing the exact hazmat involved in the incident improves safety on the scene. Each carrier and package containing hazmat must display the material's identification code on a placard or orange panel on the vehicle, in shipping papers or packages, and in shipping documents. First responders can find specific information on the hazmat by consulting the Emergency Response Guidebook, calling the appropriate emergency response phone number listed on the shipping document and by consulting with technical specialists from the material's shipper or manufacturer.

Protective Clothing

• Everyday uniforms will usually not provide sufficient protection from hazmat, requiring first responders to use protective clothing and equipment when responding to these incidents. The actual clothing used depends on the material involved. As described in the Emergency Response Guidebook, "Structural Fire Fighters' Protective Clothing"---the coat, pants, boots and helmet worn by firefighters during fires---protects from heat and cold but does not prevent harm from hazmat liquids or vapors. "Positive Pressure Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus"---which provides wearers with continual, positive pressure air flow---must be worn for additional protection.

  Also, if the incident involves a suspected chemical warfare agent, the Emergency Response Guidebook highly recommends first responders wear outfits certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to protect from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents.

Isolation Zones

• Isolation zones and protective action distances keep unauthorized people safely away from the hazmat site, provide space for first responders to organize their equipment and permit alternate approaches to the scene in case of changes in wind direction or other environmental impacts on the emergency response. First responders should follow the guidelines in the Emergency Response Guidebook for the specific hazmat involved, adjusting the zone for the time of day, air temperature or other weather conditions, vehicle fires, actual size of the spill and the presence of Toxic Inhalation Hazard or chemical warfare agents.

First Aid

• If first responders find victims at the emergency scene, they should provide appropriate first aid to the victims then move them to a safer location. The Emergency Response Guidebook provides recommended first aid actions for specific hazmat, including giving artificial respiration if the victim is not breathing; administering oxygen if breathing is difficult; removing and isolating contaminated clothing and shoes, flushing skin or eyes with running water if the victim has contacted the substance, keeping the victim warm and quiet, monitoring the victim for delayed reactions to the hazmat and ensuring medical personnel's awareness of the hazmat involved and any precautions necessary to protect themselves from the substance.