2020 Lesson 17: Hazardous Materials & Hazard Communication – Part 2

This is an online technical skills course. It is Part 2 of a two-part lesson on hazardous materials and hazard communication. It is intended to provide first responder awareness level refresher training.

Section four examines the information communicated by DOT warning placards. It explains what the colors on the placards signal and explains various hazard classes. It explains what shipping documents are and where to find them. It provides a case study of officers and the public exposed to anhydrous ammonia during a farm accident.

Section five examines the Emergency Response Guidebook. It explains what information is found in the color-coded pages of the guidebook. It explains how to determine initial isolation and protective action distances using the guidebook. It has officers practice looking up a placard number and determining the initial isolation zone for the hazard encountered.

Section six examines personal protective equipment and decontamination. It describes the four levels of PPE and what each level of PPE protects against. It examines decontamination procedures. It provides a case study of officers exposed to drugs in a hotel room.

Section seven examines the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, a/k/a the “Right to Know” requirements. It examines how officers may be exposed to chemicals in the workplace. This section examines an employer’s responsibilities to: have a written hazard communication program; train employees; conduct a materials inventory; ensure products are labeled appropriately; and provide safety data sheets. It also lists worker’s rights under OSHA law.

Section eight examines safety data sheets and explains what information that can be found in the 16 sections of a safety data sheet.