Transportation Law and Hazardous Chemical Containment

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Brief Priority and Action Lists of what to be done
Restraints to be exercised
Advice to Individuals and Drivers coming upon the scene
Next Responders coming to the Scene
Conclusion
References

Introduction

This paper answers the questions drawn from the case study on hazardous chemical containment. The case study is taken from chapter nine of the book, Chemistry of Hazardous Materials, fifth edition, authored by Eugene Meyer.

Brief Priority and Action Lists of what to be done

Being an Environmental Health and Safety professional, I must make use of the shipping documents that contain the 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG2008). I must ensure that this document is always with me. The site of an orange placard impels me to check through the 62 individual guides in the ERG2008 for the exact guide of Class 4 label code and a number UN 1836 on the placard and first identify what chemical it must be for it is this identification that will inform my next move. I will then consider who or which property is at risk, which in this case is the agricultural field. Having experienced the slight but steady wind blowing across the site I sense the danger that the spill may cause to the agricultural field and resolve to take action (Meyer, 2009).

Given the Class 4 status of the spillage and the proximity of the irrigating spraying pumps, I advise my headquarters to make an emergency call notifying the responsible agency to contact the field management to stop the spraying. I will also call for help from my headquarters to dispatch the hazardous material team to rush to the scene and help me contain the situation. Meanwhile, I stay at a safe distance but remain vigilant to warn people who may advance to the site and display a White NFPA diamond to warn them (ERG, 2008).

Restraints to be exercised

As a professional, I will avoid the temptation of rushing into the site before getting the full knowledge of the chemical. The reasonisg, I protect myself from the danger of getting involved in an avoidable accident. It will be therefore important for me to restrain from advancing to the site without proper protective clothing Secondly, since there is a steady wind blowing across the accident scene, I will position myself in the direction from which the wind blows to avoid inhaling the chemical toxics. Moreover, I will try to prevent people who are not trained to handle hazardous chemicals from getting closer to the scene.

Advice to Individuals and Drivers coming upon the scene

Having placed the White NFPA diamond, first, I will assume that they understand the meaning, or rather, the warning that the scene is dangerous. However, if I realize that they do not take heed of the warning, I will try to explain to them the danger of getting closer to the site of the accident owing to the spillage from the tanker. I will advice both drivers and pedestrians to use alternative routes to get to their destinations or wait until the scene is cleared. Some people may be adamant, and may be tempted to force their way through. In such a case, since I am not a police officer, there is little I can do to safeguard their safety.

Next Responders coming to the Scene

To the next responders coming to the scene, I will share with them my tentative analysis of the scene, for example my interpretation of the orange placard and the Class 4 category of the chemical from the ERG2008 guidebook (ERG, 2008). I will also brief them on the emergency phone calls I have made for the stoppage of the spraying since, it is indicated in the placard that the chemical is dangerous when wet. Lastly, I will tell them of the precautionary measures that I have taken to protect myself and other people from getting involved in accident by advancing to the site without adequate preparations. Assuming that the second responders are my team dispatched from the head quarters, we will get started immediately, thus shelving my going home until the work is completed.

Conclusion

It is very important for people who are trained in handling hazardous materials to carry with them the Emergency Response Guidebook, 2008 wherever they go especially in their cars/trucks. This is necessary because when they encounter an accident scene involving spillage of chemicals, like the scene of the case study, they will be at a position to act appropriately to save lives and property.

References

ERG, (2008). 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook: A Guidebook for First Responders during the Initial Phase of a Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials Transportation Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Meyer, E. (2009). Chemistry of Hazardous Materials.5^th Edition. New York, NY: Prentice Hall.

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