Hazard Assessment
Early recognition of incident hazards and potential risk is essential. The initial responsibility for assessment of incident hazards lie with first responding units.
Responding units will gather and communicate to the Incident Commander pertinent information regarding the presence or release of hazardous materials or chemicals.
Each member should be alert to the signs, evidence, and indications of the presence of hazardous substances during fires and emergencies and report such information to the next higher level of command.
* Persons reporting emergencies will usually describe the kind of incident creating a hazardous condition. They generally are unable to accurately describe a hazardous materials incident.
Since accurate information about the incident or site might not be available when responding, special attention should be focused on the possibility of exposure in the following circumstances:
A. Transportation accidents.* Information regarding hazardous occupancies or locations that has been obtained through inspection or preplanning activities should be available through preplans distributed to the companies. This type of response information prior to arrival will prevent premature entry into dangerous environments and unnecessary exposure to responding personnel. It will also offer a significant measure of protection to responders unfamiliar with the location or occupancy.
B. Industrial accidents.
C. Leaks, spills, or suspicious odors.
D. Medical emergencies involving chemical inhalation.
E. Explosions.
F. Structural collapses.
* On-site information gathering must be limited to that which can be obtained within the limits of each responder's level of training and protective equipment. It is not in the best interest of the public or the responders to become part of the emergency problem instead of the solution.
First responders should gather, evaluate, and report information prior to entering into or undertaking activities that would place them in a contaminated environment.
* The following are environments that must be evaluated before any commitment of personnel for any reason:
A. Large containers or tanks that must be entered.
B. Confined spaces (manholes, trenches, etc.) that must be entered.
C. Potentially explosive or flammable situations indicated by gas generation or gas release or over pressurization of containers (BLEVE).
D. Presence of extremely hazardous materials such as cyanide, phosgene, or radioactive materials.
E. Visible vapor clouds.
F. Areas where biological indicators such as "Unconscious persons", dead animals or vegetation are located.