Emergency preparedness

Every company needs to identify and plan for the actions necessary for employees to take when there is an unwanted release of highly hazardous chemicals. Emergency preparedness is the company s third line of defense that will be relied on along with 

Companies need to select how many different emergency preparedness or third lines of defense they plan to have, develop the necessary emergency plans and procedures, appropriately train employees in their emergency duties and responsibilities, and then implement these lines of defense. 

Preplanning for more serious releases is an important element in the company s fine of defense. When a serious release of a highly hazardous chemical occurs, the 

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Environmental management system documentation Document control Operational control Emergency preparedness and response Checking and corrective action... 

Improved Operating Procedures 11. Segregate process waste waters from stormwater systems. 12. Optimize the frequency of tank and equipment cleaning. 13. Prevent solids and oily wastes from entering the drainage system. 14. Establish and maintain an emergency preparedness and response plan. 

For the chlor-alkali industry, an emergency preparedness and response plan is mandatory for potential uncontrolled chlorine and other releases. Carbon tetrachloride is sometimes used to scrub nitrogen trichloride (formed in the process) and to maintain its levels below 4% to avoid fire and explosion. Substitutes for carbon tetrachloride may have to be used, as the use of carbon tetrachloride may be banned in the near future due to its carcinogenicity. 

Prepare and implement an emergency preparedness and response plan. Such a plan is required because of the large quantities of ammonia and other hazardous materials stored and handled on site. 

A pesticide formulation plant should prepare and implement an emergency preparedness and response plan that takes into account neighboring land uses and the potential consequences of an emergency or accidental release of harmful substances. Measures to avoid the release of harmful substances should be incorporated in the design, operation, maintenance, and management of the plant. Pollution control equipment employed in this sector include baghouses for removal of particulate matter and carbon adsorption for removal of VOCs. 

Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office Environmental Protection Agency Attn Software List OS-120... 

Program created for DOT, EPA, and FEMA to aid emergency preparedness personnel in assessing the sequence and nature of events that may follow an accident. ARCHIE incorporates several estimation methods that may be used to assess the vapor discharge, fire, and explosion impacts associated with episodic discharges of hazardous materials. 

Emergency Preparedness and Response 173 11.5.1 Emergency Response Organization... 

Process Safety Management Guidelines for Compliance 243 Emergency Preparedness... 

Each employer must address what actions employees are to take when there is an unwanted release of highly hazardous chemicals. Emergency preparedness is the employer s third line of defense that will be relied on along with the second line of defense, which is to control the release of chemicals. Control releases and emergency preparedness will take place when the first line of defense to operate and maintain the process and contain the chemicals fails to stop the release. In preparing for an emergency chemical release, employers will need to decide the following ... 

Process risk management Management of residual risk through hazard identification, risk assessment and reduction, emergency preparedness, and working with suppliers and customers (including carriers) apply... 

E. J. Michael and R. E. Vanesse, "Plamiing and Implementation of Emergency Preparedness E.xercises Including Scenario Preparation," Stone and Webster Engineering Corporation, Boston, June 1985. 

Chemical Emergency Preparedness Program Interim Guidance, Chemical Profiles, 2 vols., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, 1985. 

Emergency preparedness. The purpose of this element is to reduce the environmental damage from any unplanned event. By establishing and publicizing clear lines of command and control, as well as the actions to be taken in particular circumstances, the time taken to get an emergency under control can be significantly reduced. Emergency procedures should... 

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