Emergency Response

Data is derived from NIOSH’s Emergency Response Safety and Health Database CHLORINE (UN 1017) CAS #: 7782-50-5 RTECS #: FO2100000 UN #: 1017 (Guide 124) Common Names: Molecular chlorine Agent Characteristics APPEARANCE: Greenish-yellow gas at room temperature; clear, amber-colored liquid under increased pressure or at temperatures below -30°F (-34°C). DESCRIPTION: Chlorine is a toxic gas…...

Data is derived from NIOSH’s Emergency Response Safety and Health Database AMMONIA SOLUTION (UN 3318); AMMONIA, ANHYDROUS (UN 1005) CAS #: 7664-41-7 RTECS #: BO0875000 UN #: 3318 and 1005 (Guide 125) Common Names: Nitro-Sil AM-Fol Agent Characteristics APPEARANCE: Clear, colorless, gas. Clear, colorless liquid under pressure. DESCRIPTION: For the purposes of this card, ammonia refers to…...

An EXCELLENT source of info for emergency responder responding to an Ammonia release.  The ASTDR document provides decon advice, as well as means to protect EMS personnel treating any personnel exposed to the chemical.  Click Here to download the document…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member?...

The term “Shelter-in-Place” (SIP) is becoming more and more popular in emergency response plans and although it is a VITAL part of many response plans, doing it PROPERLY may NOT be as easy as it sounds.  In this article, I hope to explain what is required when we claim “shelter-in-Place” as a method to manage…...

This is NOT an April Fool’s joke, but a fact.  It is not a well known requirement, but we have seen OSHA use this from time to time when teams have been disbanded – me being one of those they used to make an example of.  But 1910.120(q)(9) refers us back to 1910.120(f) in regards…...

What has changed in the definition of an IDLH atmosphere? NIOSH has removed the mention of the 30 minute time period, based on intraspecies variation factors. There is no mention of the 30-minutes in the new definition.  A little history about the IDLH designation…  The concept of using respirators to protect workers in situations that…...

An innovative self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) that will allow First Responders more mobility and less fatigue while responding to emergencies, as well as increasing accessibility to confined spaces. The SCBA will be compatible with current systems.  Benefits to First Responder: Reduction of cylinder weight (7.48 pounds) Reduction of profile (1.95 inches)  That’s right ONLY 1.95″ Increased…...

This new tool was designed for oil spill responders, but should be useful to many others.  The NOAA Unit Converter for Oil Spills (NUCOS) is a simple desktop tool that converts basic units of velocity, mass, length, etc., but more specifically, converts units that are unique to oil spill response. NUCOS includes some of the lesser…...

Ethanol, what is the worry? On May 14, 2007, a tanker carrying 8,000 gallons of ethanol overturned and burst into flames on an interstate in Baltimore, Maryland, killing the driver and sending a burning stream of ethanol into the street below, igniting a row of parked vehicles. On October 22, 2006, an eighty-six-car train carrying…...