Circumstances of the Incident

If a HAZMAT incident has been declared, then the appropriate zones should have been set up and any decontamination required done. However, past incidents show that many victims escape from the cordons and can present directly to hospital emergency departments. In this case, if the patients are contaminated, the potential onward risks to medical personnel should always be borne in mind. 

Were there multiple casualties presenting at the same time  

Were there obvious signs presenting in nearby persons, e.g. convulsions, unconsciousness  

Were there any identifying features from the source of the toxic release— Kemmler plates, vehicle documentation  

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This chapter addresses typical data gathering needs of major investigations. A team may need to augment the activities in this chapter for the unique circumstances of the incident. Performing the activities oudined in this chapter plus special activities provides the incident investigation team with the data needed to complete the next step—systematic determination of the multiple root causes of the incident. However, data gathering and analysis typically involve much iteration as shown in Figure 8-1. 

The fragility of the five data types will depend on the specific circumstances of the incident. It is not possible to offer a prescribed priority. In general, historical paper data such as procedures, maintenance records, and drawings are less fragile than people and physical data. The team should identify time-sensitive data as one of its first tasks, prioritize the data, and implement measures to collect or preserve the data. 

This section can also summarize any specialized studies or analysis that may have been commissioned to explain the circumstances of the incident. For example, studies such as metallurgical analysis of components, chemical reactivity, and supporting documentation could be included in the report appendices. 

There have been data obtained from direct human exposures due to accidental exposures to hi levels of a number of hazardous chemicals. These, of course, are not controlled experiments and the dose levels must be inferred from the circumstances of the incident, but as direct evidence of the results of high exposures, they are extremely useful. 

An incident report mainly means a report about a near-miss incident, where a serious accident could be closely avoided. The main components of a report describe circumstances of the incident, investigation of the causes, reasoning of the causes, and preventive measures taken. There are some incident reporting... 

Note benefit under the current Social Security Act may be claimed for certain diseases and injuries. These claims are initiated by the claimant but the employer may be required to confirm the circumstances of the incident giving rise to the condition ... 

An analysis of the circumstances of the incident and measures taken or to be taken, with specific completion dates, to avoid further similar releases... 

As liquids are heated they expand volumetrically and this effect has to be taken into account in the storage of liquids in closed vessels. It is normal to leave an air space above the liquid, the ullage, to allow for this expansion, and to fit pressure relief valves to release any excess pressure generated. An example of what can happen if these precautions are not taken was seen at Los Alfaques Camping Site at San Carlos de la Rapita in Spain in July 1978 when a road tanker carrying 23.5 tonnes of propylene exploded killing 215 people. The circumstances of the incident were that the unlagged tanker... 

The employer shall record the occurrence of any diving-related injury or illness which requires any dive team member to be hospitalized for 24 hours or more, specifying the circumstances of the incident and the extent of any injuries or illnesses. 

All assaults must be investigated, reports made, and needed corrective action determined. However, methods of investigation must be such that the individual does not perceive blame or criticism for assaultive actions taken by the attacker. The circumstances of the incident or other information that will help to prevent further problems need to be identified, but not to blame the worker for incompetence and compound the psychological injury that is most commonly experienced. 

Discuss the circumstances of the incident with staff members. 

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