Emergency Response

Vapor pressure: Pressure exerted by a saturated vapor above its liquid in a closed container. Three facts are important to remember:

We can see some hazardous gases, even at low concentrations, such as Chlorine (Cl2). But some hazardous gases are “clear/invisible”. So, using Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3) as our hazardous gas… What does 300 ppm of Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3) look like? Note: 300 ppm is the IDLH for NH3 For example, there’s a release of NH3. You

There are more than 380 substances with IDLH limits. View the current list of substances with IDLH. You can also find IDLH values in CAMEO Chemicals or in the online version of the NIOSH Pocket Guide(link is external). IDLH limits were primarily established to aid in making informed decisions about respirator use. Above the IDLH,

FYI… the state of NJ’s Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets are the bomb and with WISER gone, these move up to my #1 go-to ER document. We need three (3) reliable sources to formulate our Incident Action Plan (IAP) that includes our PPE Hazard Assessment. These Fact Sheets, NIOSH’s Pocket Guide Book, and

There is one requirement in the HAZWOPER standard that has been in place since its promulgation, which almost every industrial facility with its own internal HAZMAT response team fails to meet. I receive a significant amount of pushback when I cover this OSHA minimum requirement, and I am always as shocked by the response as

If we pay close attention to PPE pictures, especially at Emergency Responses, we can see that this critical aspect of proper PPE donning is usually not followed, placing responders at increased risk. So, what is the PPE Shingle Effect, and WHY is it REQUIRED?

You get to pick ONLY three (3) pieces of data about a chemical you have responded to. You know the chemical, so what would the three (3) pieces of data you would want to know be and why? Here are my three and why…

Here is OSHA’s current interpretation of the HAZWOPER standard as it relates to IDLH operations. The LOI specifically addresses the HAZWOPER requirement for workers who are engaged in remedial operations as well as in emergency response operations in atmospheres that are or may be IDLH AND who utilize self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for the control

WARNING! If you have an ER instructor who claims you can enter the Hot or Warm zone the first time in using LEVEL C PPE, you need to fire them! I have been conducting HAZMAT training for 28 years, and every year, I pick up a few new ER clients who need a refresher course.