Incident reporting, spill response, and recordkeeping
What this domain tests
This domain tests the first response to a leak, spill or accident and the records that must follow. The exam expects a clear sequence: protect people, contain the hazard, notify the right parties, and document what happened.
Core rules
- Warn others, stop the engine, keep people upwind and call the emergency services. Give the UN number, proper shipping name, class and quantity from the documentation.
- Contain the spill with the spill kit. Do not wash dangerous goods into drains, watercourses or soil. Use absorbent, sand or a compatible neutralising agent only when the emergency information says it is suitable.
- Notify the police, fire service, vehicle owner, consignor and the competent authority as required. Do not delay reporting to protect the schedule.
- Record the time, location, product, UN number, quantity released, injuries, response actions and agencies notified. Preserve documents, photographs and inspection records.
- Keep training, maintenance, inspection and incident records available for audit.
Worked example
A small acid spill occurs during unloading. Reasoning: the driver should put on PPE, stop the transfer, warn bystanders and prevent the acid from entering a drain. Sand or a suitable absorbent can be used to contain it, and the consignor's emergency advice should be followed before neutralising. The spill must be reported and recorded even if it looks minor.
Traps
Washing a spill into a drain; using an unsuitable absorbent that reacts with the product; delaying notification; failing to record a near miss; throwing away contaminated clean-up material as ordinary waste.