Hazardous Materials - Henry Samueli School Of Engineering

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Hazardous materials can be silent killers.Almost every household and workplace hasvarying amounts of chemicals that, if spilled orcombined, will cause great harm and evendeath. It is important that you have a basicknowledge of how to recognize thesechemicals, where they may be found, andwhat to do, or not do, about hazardousmaterial spills.

Ways that hazardous materials can enterthe body: Inhalation; through breathing, most rapid wayAbsorption;through skin or eyesIngestion; swallowingInjection; penetrating skin

The key to dealing with hazardous material spills is toremember S.I.N. (Safety, Isolation, Notification).Safety: Always assume that spilled chemicals areextremely toxic Do not approach; stay at a safe distance Mixtures of chemicals can be verydangerous- bleach mixed with ammonia creates poisonousgas(es)

Isolation: Close off room and/orbuilding Mark outside of building

Notification: Notify Incident Commander & local emergency personal

Hazardous Materials are anever-present danger: In the home or workplace On roadways In industrial or commercialareas

IN THE HOME OR WORKPLACE

INVENTORY: Make a list of hazardous materials Read the labels on all products you purchase Segregate and store or dispose of properly Know what steps to take if chemicals arespilled Secure and segregate all containers at work

TYPICAL PLACES HAZARDOUS MATERIALSARE FOUND IN THE HOME:Kitchen oven cleaners, drain cleaners, ammonia,bleachLaundry bleach, spot removers, cleanersGarage gasoline, solvents, pesticides, paints, paintremovers, thinners

ASBESTOS:Asbestos is one of the potential hazards that youmay encounter in a damaged building. Asbestosis a human carcinogen, which can be found in anumber of different building materials throughoutcity and campus buildings. The hazardpresented by asbestos varies considerablybased upon the nature of the materials and thelikelihood of causing an airborne release ofasbestos fibers.If left un-disturbed, a release is unlikely.

ON ROADWAYSHazardous materials transported on roadways must carry aDepartment of Transportation (DOT) warning label on the package.Vehicles transporting quantities of hazardous materials must haveDOT placards affixed to all sides of the vehicle. Bulk shipments,such as in gasoline tanker trucks, will have a four digit numericcode instead of the hazard class in the center of the placard. Thisnumber can be referenced in the DOTs "Emergency ResponseGuide Book" to determine the identity and the emergency handlingfor the chemical involved.

DOT HAZARDOUS MATERIALS WARNING LABELS:Color Coding of Labels and Placards:

hite:ExplosiveFlammable Gas and LiquidPoisonCorrosiveOxidizerNon-flammable gasRadio Active

Hazardous Materials by Class NumbersClass 1:ExplosiveClass 2:Gasses (Compressed, liquefied or dissolvedunder pressure)Class 3:Flammable LiquidsClass 4:Flammable Solids or SubstancesClass 5:OxidizersClass 6:Poisonous or Infectious SubstancesClass 7:Radioactive SubstancesClass 8:CorrosivesClass 9:Miscellaneous Dangerous SubstancesThe class number is the number located on the bottom cornerof the label or placard.

IN INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIALFIXED SITESMost buildings that contain hazardousmaterials are identified by the NationalFire Protection Association 704 Diamondsystem, which is usually located at thebuilding entrance or in the storage area.

The 704 Diamond is divided into four quadrants.Each quadrant of the diamond has a special meaningand is color-coded. The top quadrant is coded redfor fire hazard, the right quadrant is coded yellow forreactivity, the left quadrant is coded blue for healthhazards, and the bottom quadrant is white andcontains information about special hazards of theparticular chemical. Each colored quadrant is alsonumbered for the degree of hazard from zero to four,four being the greatest hazard.

RED . FIRE HAZARD4. materials that burn readily3. materials that can ignite at roomtemperature2. materials that ignite if moderately heated1. materials that ignite after considerablepreheating0. will not burn

YELLOW . REACTIVITY4. may detonate3. shock and heat may detonate2. violent chemical change1. unstable if heated0.stable

BLUE . HEALTH INFORMATION4.deadly3.extreme hazard2.hazardous1.slightly hazardous0.normal material

SPECIAL INFORMATIONW: water may cause reactionCOR: corrosiveOXY: oxidizerACID: acid

COMMON HAZARDOUS MATERIALLOCATIONS:Industrial or manufacturing plants Shopping centers, supermarkets Dry cleaners Hardware stores Auto repair shops

SIGNS OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SPILLS: Overturned containers with DOT label especiallyon roadwaysPungent or noxious odor you should neverintentionally get close enough to smell itBubbling liquidVapor anything that is letting off a vapor ishaving a reaction and should be avoided

If you see one or more of these signs of a hazardousmaterials spill on roadway or at a fixed facility, takethe following actions: Get uphill, and upwind, and a safe distanceaway from the spillEvacuate the surrounding areas if possible, butdo not put your self in danger of exposure tothe spillNotify authorities as quickly as possible

"Hazardous Materials" is a very comprehensivesubject. The important concept to understand isrecognition. DOT placards are placed on vehicles,DOT labels are placed on packages, and the 704Diamonds are placed on buildings or storage areascontaining hazardous materials. Being able torecognize warning signs and being able to recognizethat there is a hazardous condition present may saveyour life and the lives of others.

Remember, "Hazardous Materials" in thehome and workplace should be segregatedand stored in well-marked, unbreakablecontainers. They should also be stored in alow cabinet with an earthquake-proof latch.Dispose of any hazardous materials that areno longer needed.

Questions?

Hazardous materials can be silent killers. Almost every household and workplace has varying amounts of chemicals that, if spilled or combined, will cause great harm and even death. It is important that you have a basic knowledge of how to recognize these chemicals, where they may be found, and what to do, or not do, about hazardous material spills.