HAZMAT AWARENESS Q&A 2023

What does NFPA stand for? - Answer- National Fire Protection Association What is NFPA 1072? - Answer- Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualification What are the roles of the awareness level personnel during HAZMAT/WMD incidents? - Answer- - Recognize the presence of HAZMAT/WMD - Protect themselves - Call for trained personnel - Secure the area - Act defensively in the name of safety Where can other guidelines for awareness level personnel be found? - Answer- SOPs and ERG Where are ERGs and SOPs applicable to? - Answer- Each jurisdiction When analyzing an incident, what tasks must you perform? - Answer- - Recognize the presence of HAZMAT/WMD - Identify the name, UN/NA identification number, type of placard, or other distinctive markings applied for the HAZMAT/WMD involved from a safe location - Identify potential hazards from the current edition of the ERG, SDS, and other approved references - Initiate protective actions (isolate hazard area, deny entry) - Initiate required notification How does NFPA 1072 define hazardous materials? - Answer- Matter (solid, liquid, or gas) or energy that when released is capable of creating harm to people, the environment, and property, including WMD as defined in 18 U.S. Code, Section 2332a, as well as any other criminal use of hazardous materials, such as illicit labs, environmental crimes, or industrial sabotage How does the DOT define hazardous materials? - Answer- Covers nine hazard classes, some of which have subcategories called divisions. DOT includes in its regulations hazardous substances and hazardous wastes as Class 9 (Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials), both of which are regulated by the EPA, if their inherent properties would not otherwise be covered What are the three types of exposures? - Answer- People, the environment, and property Define hazardous substances - Answer- Chemicals that, if released into the environment above a certain amount, must be reported, and, depending on the threat to the environment, federal involvement in handling the incident can be authorized (EPA)