Hazardous Emergency Response Plan

Emergency response plan procedures may need to be evaluated against new material hazards introduced by the toll. This is primarily a concern when the toller is handling a feedstock or product that introduces hazards that may not have been present previously at that facility. Most emergency response plan procedures are written at a high enough level of detail that they will be unaffected, but it is necessaiy to evaluate the plan s adequacy. 

The first part of this section is an edited version of Appendix K of the Technical Guidance for Hazards Analysis. This appendix is entitled "Evaluation Guide for Available Computer Applications Addressing Emergency Response Planning". (EPA document)... 

TECHNICAL GUIDANCE FOR HAZARDS ANALYSIS EVALUATION GUIDE FOR AVAILABLE COMPUTER APPLICATIONS ADDRESSING EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING... 

Section 5. Emergency Response Planning (assembling hazards, vulnerability analysis, and risk analysis information). 

Emergency Response Planning Information (e.g., hazardous materials and facilities locations, characteristics, training) ... 

Why should a Hazards Sun ey be done before tiie emergency response plan is developed ... 

EPCRA22 is intended to help communities prepare to respond in the event of a chemical emergency, and to increase the public s knowledge of the presence and threat of hazardous chemicals. To this end, EPCRA requires the establishment of state and local committees to prepare communities for potential chemical emergencies. The focus of the preparation is a community emergency response plan that must... 

In general, the safety of a process relies on multiple layers of protection. The first layer of protection is the process design features. Subsequent layers include control systems, interlocks, safety shutdown systems, protective systems, alarms, and emergency response plans. Inherent safety is a part of all layers of protection however, it is especially directed toward process design features. The best approach to prevent accidents is to add process design features to prevent hazardous situations. An inherently safer plant is more tolerant of operator errors and abnormal conditions. 

The Dow indexes are useful for determining equipment spacing requirements. The F EI uses an empirical correlation based entirely on the F EI value to estimate the radius of exposure. It is assumed that any equipment located outside this distance would not be damaged by a fire or explosion. The CEI estimates the hazard distance for chemical exposure based on the emergency response planning guideline (ERPG) values for the particular material released. 

CAER Community Awareness and Emergency Response a program developed by the Chemical Manufacturers Association to provide guidance for chemical plant managers to assist them in cooperating with local communities to develop integrated hazardous materials response plans. 

Emergency Response Plan A plan that establishes guidelines for handling hazardous materials incidents as required by 29 CFR 1910.120. 

Hazardous Materials Response Team An organized group of trained response personnel operating under an emergency response plan and appropriate standard operating procedures, who are expected to perform work to handle and control actual or potential leaks or spills of hazardous materials requiring close approach to the material to control or stabilize an incident. 

Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Planning Guide. The National Response Team of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Contingency Plan. Washington, D.C., 1987. 

Even in the face of a well-planned emergency response plan, complications can arise. One common area where this happens is with systematic hazard removal. When existing evidence is poor, HACCP will require extensive risk assessment and may not be as easy to implement as one would hope. Nevertheless, it is important to realize that the resources allocated to risk assessment have important signal value to the public. Depending on the level of resources dedicated to a cause, an absence of investment can either cause a further increase in the perceived risk or lead to a feeling of frustration that nothing is being done. A perceived balance needs to be maintained. 

Emergency response, to hazardous materials incidents, 25 343 Emergency Response Planning Guidelines (ERPGs), for sulfuric acid, 23 795 values in, 13 156 Emery, dental abrasive, 8 339 Emetine, 2 74, 100 (—)-Emetine, 2 84, 85 Emission, from OLEDs, 22 215, 218-219. See also Emissions... 

As mentioned earlier, most facilities need not start from scratch when seeking to effectively manage chemical reactivity hazards. Elements of a hazards management system, such as an emergency response plan or a... 

A third type of emergency response plan required for implementation in selected (covered) facilities is OSHA s 29 CFR 1910.120 (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response—HAZWOPER) for releases of hazardous materials. Unless the facility operator can demonstrate that the operation does not involve employee exposure or the reasonable possibility for employee exposure to safety or health hazards, the following operations are covered ... 

We pointed out earlier that most emergency plans address fire, medical emergencies, and the accidental release or spills of hazardous materials. Note that the development of emergency response plans should also factor in other possible emergencies— natural disasters, floods, explosions, and/or weather-related events that could occur and certainly will occur. Now, emergency response to terrorist activity or threats must also be added to the list. 

Air pollution—generally, local environmental agencies are quick to arrive at industrial fires and start monitoring to determine if hazardous materials are in the air that could cause harm to the public or the environment. Depending on the materials on fire, there is a potential for hazardous materials to travel offsite. The Emergency Response Plan must identify potential pollutants and appropriate responses for the public. 

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