Explosives, chemical hazard training

Transportation of raw materials to depots and plants, by oil tankers, natural gas pipelines, barges, trains, and trucks, can create hazards. Another set of transportation hazards is posed by chemical intermediates (produced in one plant and transported to another plant for further processing) and industrial wastes. Sometimes, they travel past crowded urban areas, pristine beaches, and harbor tunnels. The hazards of oil spills on beaches by tankers are well known, and so are the instances of ruptures and breaks in oil and natural gas pipelines, which produce fire and pollution hazards. Trains and trucks can overturn in centers of habitation, and can lead to flames and explosions, as well as toxic hazards to the community. Toxic chemicals are barred from being trucked in tunnels under harbors and rivers. The storage of raw material and intermediates at plants or... 

Some chemicals and combinations used in laboratories are known to be explosive. Laboratory manipulations with known explosive chemicals or reagent combinations should be performed only by trained personnel who are thoroughly familiar with the hazards involved and the precautions that must be taken. The worker should know the procedures for destroying or disposing of potentially explosive materials. Any laboratory procedure that results in an unexpected explosion should be investigated to ascertain the probable cause, and a laboratory safety rule established to prevent recurrence. Circumstances of an unexpected explosion should be brought to the attention of workers, team members, management, and the concerned public to help observe caution under similar work conditions. 

An odor warning of air pollutant exposure is provided to man and many animals by the olfactory membranes, another example of a biological indicator. In specially trained dogs, the sense of smell can rival the sensitivity of the most sophisticated instrumentation [41, 42]. Tamed bees have also been used to locate mines and explosives without hazard, and can be trained to seek out target chemicals in waste dump sites [43]. 

In addition, responses to releases of hazardous substances where there is no potential health or safety hazard (i.e., fire, explosion, or chemical exposure) are not considered to be emergency responses. Keep in mind that qualified personnel who are trained to clean up incidental... 

The first step in minimizing accidents in a chemical phuit is to evaluate the facility for potential fires, explosions, and vulnerability to other liazards, particularly those of a chemical miture. This calls for a detailed study of plant site and layout, materials, processes, operations, equipment, and training, plus an effective loss prevention program. The technical nature of industry requires detailed data and a broad range of experience. Tliis complex task, today becoming the most important in plant design, is facilitated by the safety codes, standiu ds, and practice information available. The technical approach to evaluating die consequences of hazards is discussed later in tliis cliapter and in Part V (Chapters 20 and 21). 

The option for disposal of potentially explosive materials is to have it detonated under carefully controlled conditions. Some laboratories and industries may have personnel trained in explosive handling, and they may be able to remove and detonate the material on their site where no damage will result. Alternatively, some contract waste disposal firms have the capability to remove and dispose of explosive material. It also is possible to make arrangements with a local squad who handles explosives (or even a fire department) to collect, remove, and detonate the material under safe conditions. In all situations, the chemist should provide the disposal expert with whatever information is available on the hazards of the chemical(s). 

Institution of Chemical Engineers, Furnace Fires and Explosions, Hazard Workshop Module 005, Rugby, U.K. (available as a training kit with 23 35mm slides, booklets, teaching guides, and related materials). 

Polyethylene producers that use Ziegler-Natta, single site and selected chromium catalysts are required to handle metal alkyls on a large-scale (in some cases, tons per year). As previously noted, many metal alkyls are pyrophoric, i.e., they ignite spontaneously upon exposure to air. Most are also explosively reactive with water. Polyethylene manufacturers must routinely deal with these hazardous chemicals. Despite an abundance of resources and training aids from metal alkyl suppliers, accidents occur and severe injuries and even death have resulted. Clearly, safety and handling of metal alkyls must be a high priority. 

Mr. Ellison is president of Cerberus Associates, Inc. and as a private consultant, has responded to both transportation and fixed facility hazardous material incidents throughout the state of Michigan. He has acted as incident commander, safety officer, and response specialist at scenes involving chemical fires, water reactive materials, and shock sensitive materials. He has provided chemical and biological counterterrorism training to members of hazardous materials (HazMat) teams, police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams, and Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) teams. 

Spills Happen A Training Program for Small Spill Response Fast and effective spill reporting, identifying chemicals, containing source, personal protective equipment, people and environmental protection, preventing fire and explosions after spills, use of absorbents, hazardous waste disposal, and restoring normal operations. 

A train derailment in Brownson, Nebraska, resulted in a tank car of phosphorus overturning and thephosphoms igniting upon contact with air. Phosphorus is shipped under water, so there was water inside the tank car. CHEMTREC (Chemical Transportation Emergency Center) was called, and responders were told correctly that the phosphorous would not explode. However, the water inside the tank car turned to steam from the heat of the phosphoms fire. The pressure from the steam caused a boiler-type of explosion that had nothing to do with the phosphorus. This is just another example of the hidden hazards that emergency responders must be aware of when dealing with hazardous materials. Not only do the hazardous materials have to be considered, but also the container and any inert materials that may be involved with the product. 

Carefully examine any documentation required by the institution. Such documentation, which should be made readily available, may include experiment plans, training plans and records, chemical and equipment hazard information, operating plans, and an upto-date emergency evacuation plan. An emergency plan should always be prepared for the contingencies of ventilation failure (resulting from power failure, for example) and other emergencies, such as fire or explosion in a chemical fume hood. 

Waste disposal Assure that the plan for each laboratory operation includes plans and training for waste disposal (230). Deposit chemical waste in appropriately labeled receptacles and follow all other waste disposal procedures of the Chemical Hygiene Plan (22, 24). Do not discharge to the sewer concentrated acids or bases (231) highly toxic, malodorous, or lachrymatory substances (231) or any substances which might interfere with the biological activity of waste water treatment plants, create fire or explosion hazards, cause structural damage or obstruct flow (242). 

Numerous physical hazards may be present in a CDL, one of which is armed suspects who may be under the influence of methamphetamine with its induced paranoia. Explosive vapors from the solvents used in the manufacturing process as well as incompatible chemicals (when mixed, these cause fire, toxic fumes, or explosion) are common in CDLs, as most operators are not trained chemists and have little regard for safety. 

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