Hazmat Operations flashcards
Hazmat Operations · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- NFPA 704 blue quadrant
- The blue quadrant indicates the health hazard rating on a scale of 0 to 4, where 0 is minimal and 4 is severe, based on short-term exposure effects.
- Kemler number X prefix
- An X prefix on a UN hazard identification number indicates the material reacts dangerously with water, producing flammable or toxic gas.
- Shipping paper order
- Hazardous materials shipping papers list the proper shipping name, hazard class or division, UN/NA identification number, and packing group in that order.
- Bulk placard threshold
- Placards are generally required for bulk packages exceeding 119 gallons for liquids or 882 pounds gross weight for solids, and for any quantity of Table 1 materials.
- IDLH definition
- IDLH is the maximum airborne concentration from which a worker could escape within 30 minutes without irreversible health effects or incapacitation.
- Lower flammability limit
- The LFL is the minimum vapor concentration in air that will support combustion; below the LFL the mixture is too lean to ignite.
- Vapor density rule
- A vapor density greater than 1 means the vapor is heavier than air and tends to collect in low-lying areas, increasing exposure risk.
- ERPG-2 value
- ERPG-2 is the maximum airborne concentration below which nearly all persons could be exposed for up to one hour without irreversible or serious health effects.
- AEGL-3 tier
- AEGL-3 is the airborne concentration above which the general population could experience life-threatening health effects or death.
- National Response Center
- The National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802 receives reports of releases that meet or exceed CERCLA reportable quantities.
- ICS span of control
- Span of control is the number of subordinates reporting to one supervisor; the target is five, with an acceptable range of three to seven.
- Unified Command
- Unified Command is an ICS application in which multiple agencies with jurisdiction jointly set objectives and manage the incident.
- Safety Officer authority
- The Safety Officer monitors incident safety and has the authority to halt or modify unsafe operations independent of the Operations Section Chief.
- Level A protection
- Level A consists of a fully encapsulating vapor-protective suit with SCBA, providing the highest available respiratory, skin, and eye protection.
- Level B protection
- Level B uses a chemical-resistant splash suit with SCBA, giving the same respiratory protection as Level A but only splash-level skin protection.
- Level C limitation
- Level C uses an air-purifying respirator and is permitted only when the atmosphere is known, below IDLH, and has adequate oxygen.
- Permeation breakthrough time
- Breakthrough time is the elapsed time before a chemical permeates a protective material; it determines the safe duration of use for that garment.
- SCBA hydrostatic test
- SCBA cylinders must be hydrostatically tested every five years and visually inspected before each use.
- Decon corridor order
- The decon corridor proceeds from hot to cold: tool drop, gross decon, technical decon, secondary decon, and finally doffing.
- Gross decontamination
- Gross decontamination removes the bulk of the contaminant at the hot/warm zone boundary before more thorough technical decontamination.
- Decon runoff handling
- Decontamination wastewater must be diked and collected and is treated as hazardous waste unless testing confirms it is clean.
- Patient decon flushing
- Contaminated patients should have clothing removed, skin washed with soap and water, and eyes flushed with water for at least 15 minutes.
- Dike volume rule
- A containment dike should hold at least 1.5 times the spilled volume to allow for rainfall, foam, and additional release.
- Alcohol-resistant foam
- Polar solvents such as alcohols require alcohol-resistant foam; standard AFFF breaks down and is ineffective on these fuels.
- Absorbent application
- Absorbents are applied from the outside edge of a spill inward to prevent spreading the material over a larger area.
- Grounding and bonding
- Grounding and bonding equalize static electrical potential between containers and equipment during transfer to prevent ignition of flammable vapors.
- Response objective hierarchy
- Response priorities are life safety first, then incident stabilization, property conservation, and environmental protection.
- Defensive strategy trigger
- Defensive operations are chosen when the material is unidentified, the atmosphere is IDLH, or the risk of offensive action exceeds the benefit.
- Shelter-in-place decision
- Shelter-in-place is chosen when evacuation would move people through the hazard or when there is insufficient time to evacuate safely.
- HAZWOPER training levels
- HAZWOPER defines awareness, operations, technician, specialist, and incident commander levels, with annual refresher training required.
- CERCLA reportable quantity
- A reportable quantity is the threshold release amount for a hazardous substance that triggers notification to the National Response Center.
- Hot zone definition
- The exclusion or hot zone is the area where contamination is present and where only trained responders in appropriate PPE may enter.