Contamination reduction zone

Many hazardous waste activity worksites are temporary and are established at remote locations with limited sanitation facilities. Decontamination is conducted either in the contamination reduction zone or the radiological buffer zone, whereas sanitation functions are performed either in the support zone or outside the boundaries of the hazardous waste activities worksite after decontamination has been completed. 

Site H was the only site at which the contractor had implemented comprehensive and effective site control elements. The Site H contractor had established site work zones, a buddy system, and site communication procedures consistent with 1910.120(d). This contractor had also established exclusion zones and contamination reduction zones to control migration of site contaminants to clean areas of the site when work within these areas introduced the potential for exposure to hazardous contaminants. The audit team supported this contractor s use of flexible and temporary work zone boundaries based on monitoring results and hazard determinations. 

Forty-hour training was required for personnel entering the exclusion zone, and additional supervisory training was required for site supervisors. Site control procedures described in the Site C contractor s SSAHP included maintenance of site control logs at each access point, use of red tape or chainlink fencing to demarcate hot zones, and use of the buddy system in all exclusion and contamination reduction zone areas. Site communications relied almost exclusively on visual sighting of employees the plan did not describe the use of two-way radios. This suggested that all employees in hot zones can be observed continuously from the support zones. 

Signiflcant deficiencies in site control procedures existed at Site K. For example, the Site K subcontractor had not established a contamination reduction zone (CRZ), to physically separate the support zone from the exclusion zone, as required in the site plan. 

Subcontractor may perform limited site work (e.g., nonroutine tasks such as surveying, etc.) but may not work in exchision/contamination reduction zones if he meets the following requirements ... 

Contamination reduction zone (CRZ). This is the area where decontamination takes place. 

Contamination Control Line The established line around a contamination reduction zone that separates it from the support zone. 

Administer invasive procedures in the Contamination Reduction Zone (on-scene) or Warm Zone (hospital setting) only when it is absoiuteiy necessary. 

The contamination reduction zone is the area between the highly contaminated area and the noncon-taminated area. Reasonably, the decontamination area is often located in the contamination reduction zone. PPE in the contamination reduction zone is usually one level of protection below that of the worker in the exclusion zone. Because airborne levels within the contamination reduction zone can be unpredictable and can change quickly, evacuations within this area is recommended. 

The Contamination Reduction Zone (also known as the wamn or yellow zone) is where victims and rescuers are decontaminated before undergoing further medical assessment and prehospital care. Patients in the Exclusion and Contamination Reduction Zones will generally receive only mdimentary first aid such as cenrical spine stabilization and placement on a backboard. 

To facilitate workflow, the areas around an emergency incident are divided into three zones exclusion zone, contamination reduction zone (CRZ), and support zone (see Figure 18-3). The zones should be located upwind of the emergency site. To minimize spread of contamination, workers should not cross from one zone to another except at approved points, called access control points. 

The contamination reduction zone (CRZ) surrounds the exclusion zone. In a sense, this is a buffer zone between the exclusion zone and support zone. In the CRZ, there is a narrow path provided where decontamination (decon) is carried out and the path is called the decon line. By restricting the decon path, we localize the spread of contamination. All decontamination operations are carried out near or along the path, and closer to the end of the path, leading to the "support zone. The CRZ is a rest area for workers and also serves as the staging area for the emergency response equipment. Typically, the CRZ is where decontamination of personnel and equipment is carried out. Some activities that occur in the CRZ are ... 

The five levels of emergency responders all have varying degrees of training, from minimal to very intense. When a spill occurs that requires an emergency response, the area around the spill is quickly divided into three zones to facilitate workflow. These zones are the exclusion zone, contamination reduction zone and support zone. In each zone, specific actions are carried out. An effective emergency response is based on quickness c, response, properly trained personnel, proper equipment, and how efficiently they are used. 

Contamination Reduction Zone (CRZ)—Surrounds the exclusion zone and is a rest area for workers and also serves as the staging area for the emergency response equipment. Typically, the CRZ is where decontamination of personnel and equipment is carried out. 

Hospital decontamination zone—This zone includes any areas where the type and the quantity of hazardous substance are unknown and where contaminated victims, contaminated equipment, or contaminated waste may be present. It can be anticipated that employees in this zone might have exposure to contaminated victims, their belongings, equipment, or waste. This zone includes, but is not limited to, places where initial triage and/or medical stabilization of possibly contaminated victims occur, predecontamination waiting (staging) areas for victims, the actual decontamination area, and the postdecontamination victim s inspection area. This area will typically end at the emergency department door. In other documents, this zone is sometimes called the warm zone, contamination reduction zone, yellow zone, or limited access zone. 

Hospital decontamination zone a zone that includes any areas where the type and quantity of hazardous substance are unknown and where contaminated victims, contaminated equipment, or contaminated waste may be present this zone is sometimes called the warm zone, contamination reduction zone, yellow zone, or limited access zone... 

---