The Five W's of Hazmat Decontamination
- By Karen Hamel
- Jul 01, 2006
Although instinct says "hurry up and get in there," it is necessary for a decon operation to be set up and functional before anyone or anything enters the area.
PERHAPS sparked by the devastating natural disasters and terrorist attacks the nation has experienced in the recent past, a renewed emphasis has been placed on ensuring that decontamination procedures are established and that they are a documented component of emergency response plans.
While most of the focus is currently on communities and the health care service sector to have plans and supplies in place for mass victim decontamination, it is just as important for facilities to have proper decontamination (or "decon") procedures in place for emergencies that could occur at their facilities. Written decontamination procedures are required under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) regulations at 29 CFR 1910.120(b)(4)(ii)(G). These procedures must be communicated to everyone responding to an emergency and should always be practiced during response drills.
Decon is a vital part of a hazardous materials emergency response. It is so important, in fact, that no one is permitted to enter a hazardous area until a decon operation is set up and functional [29 CFR 1910.120(k)(2)]. Unfortunately, this essential part of emergency planning is sometimes overlooked and misunderstood. Considering the following questions can help facilities ensure their decon plans will be adequate.
Who?
Who is in charge of the decon line?
Decon line workers often report directly to and receive instruction from the Site Safety and Health Officer. It is important for this officer to monitor and check on people working in the decon line regularly to ensure no one has become fatigued, that the workers have ample supplies, and that their level of protection remains adequate. On a hot, humid day, this could mean checking as often as every 15 minutes.
Decontamination work is very physically challenging; exhaustion, dehydration, or heat-related ailments are common for decon line workers. Where support staff could reasonably be expected to work a four- or eight-hour shift, one or two hours in decon may be a realistic limit for decon workers.
Also, because these workers are commonly suited up in personal protective equipment that is one level below what the "active responders" are wearing in the hot zone (the area where hazards are present), gross contamination coming through the line could change the amount of protection decon line workers need to wear. Air monitors placed in the decon area are one way to help gauge exposure.
Who needs decon training?
Everyone involved with an emergency response should have a working knowledge of decon procedures. Specifics on the decon process should be part of a responder's briefing prior to entering the hot zone. Practicing different forms of decon during drills will help everyone become more comfortable with various forms of decontamination so that during an actual emergency, this process runs smoothly.
Outside resources, such as contractors, suppliers, hospitals, firefighters, police, and emergency medical services who are listed on the response plan and who may be called upon for assistance during an emergency also need to be trained and made aware of decon procedures so they are aware of their need to follow these procedures while they are on site.
First Responder Operations Level training teaches workers how to implement basic decon procedures [29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)(ii)]. This level of training also includes knowledge of basic hazards and risk assessment techniques, selection and use of PPE, an understanding of hazardous material terms, knowledge of operating procedures, and basic spill containment/confinement techniques.
What?
What equipment is needed for decon?
Equipment needs can vary somewhat, depending on the type of decon being performed and the type of emergency that is being responded to. "Decontamination procedures should be tailored to the specific hazards of the site, and may vary in complexity and number of steps, depending on the level of hazard and the employee's exposure to the hazard." (29 CFR 1910.120 Appendix C)
For wet decontamination--commonly used to decontaminate responders, tools, and large equipment--water, hoses, brushes, buckets, cleaning agents, tarps, pools, pumps, and tanks to hold the contaminated water are common. Stools or chairs that can be easily cleaned are also helpful for responders who need to take off PPE. Disposal bags are also helpful for bagging items that will not be reused, such as inner gloves, disposable under-suits, tape, etc.
Dry decontamination--which usually translates to bagging everything that comes out of the hot zone--could require brushes to remove gross contamination and bags to collect all spent materials. As in wet decon, stools or chairs are nice accessories for responders removing PPE.
This article originally appeared in the July 2006 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.