& Contingency Planning Rationale Why is it important for you to learn this material? Designed for those who may witness a release, this is an introductory course designed to help ensure those who are likely to witness or discover a hazardous material release and initiate an emergency response by notifying the proper personnel or authorities. This training will familiarize personnel with what hazardous materials are and associated risks. Learning Outcomes When you complete this module you will be able to Recognise the need for and the basic design of an Emergency Response/ Contingency Plan. Learning Objectives Here is what you will be able to do when you complete each objective 1. Identify emergencies most likely to occur. 2. Generate a basic emergency plan notification. 3. Describe the duties of key personnel in an emergency situation. 4. Content of an emergency response plan. 1
Introduction Emergency response and contingency planning is utilized to minimize the effects of an emergency situation. The complexity of these plans is determined by the industry in which the company operates, the size of the particular operation, its geographical location or proximity to populated and/or environmentally sensitive areas and distance from additional resources. In simple terms, a company is responsible for planning for the worst situation. Emergency and contingency plans have been developed and used extensively for at least a decade, and industries are encouraged to refer to and adopt specific guidelines. Emergency response and contingency planning exemplifies a company`s readiness to fulfill its legal and ethical responsibilities in case of emergency. The key elements of a successful emergency response plan are: 1. Identification of the most probable emergencies. 2. Notification Process (who and when). 3. Determining the immediate personnel actions to be taken. 4. Minimization of adverse effects on personnel, property and environment. 2
OBJECTIVE ONE When you complete this objective you will be able to Identify emergencies most likely to occur. Learning Material IDENTIFYING TYPICAL EMERGENCIES All safety programs are designed to prevent or eliminate unsafe incidents. However, in view of the number of chemical and physical hazards that exist in refineries, petrochemical plants and other types of processing industries it is recognized that unsafe events can occur. Therefore there should be a strategy in place to minimize the consequences of explosions, fires, spills, and gas releases. Many regulations including HAZWOPER, have emergency plans as an integral component. Emergencies happen quickly. The function of an emergency plan (contingency plan) is to put in place resources necessary to deal with emergencies. Since there a re all kinds of emergencies, the planning has to be sufficiently broad to cover any type of emergency. It is also important to note that that some generalized response elements are common for many different emergencies. Some of the elements are: Pre-emergency preparations Lines of authority Communication channels Notification procedures Emergency recognition Shelters Evacuation routes Site security Decontamination plans Emergency medical treatment PPE Post emergency evaluation Some events that would trigger an emergency response are: 3
Loss of containment Punctured 55-gallon drum Pump or compressor seal failure Overflowing tank Pipe or vessel leak Explosion or fire Gas release or vapour release Toxic chemical spill or release The primary causes of loss of containment of fluids are pipe or flange failure, pump seal failure, explosions, fires, overfilled tanks, over-pressured tanks, and overturned drums or containers. Because loss of containment creates serious situations, the early detection of loss of containment is important. Besides a loss of containment being detected by working personnel via sight and odor, fixed field monitors are installed around especially hazardous chemical vessels. Toxic substances might be chemicals such as hydrogen sulphide or chlorine. Organic vapour analysers and oxygen analyzers are used to detect hydrocarbons and oxygen levels. Fixed detectors are strategically located around units, tank farms and dock areas. They send an audible alarm to the control room in the event a target substance is detected. 4
OBJECTIVE TWO When you complete this objective you will be able to Generate a basic plan notification schedule. Learning Material BASIC CONTINGENCY PLAN The chemical manufacturing industry defines emergency response as a loss of containment for a chemical or the potential for the loss of containment that results in an emergency situation requiring an immediate response. Examples of emergency response situations include fires, explosions, vapour releases, and reportable quantity chemical spills. The levels of response have been determined by the chemical processing industry to be as follows: First Responder awareness level: Individuals, who are trained to respond to a hazardous substance release, initiate an emergency response, evacuate the area, and notify proper authorities. First Responder operations level: an individual who has been trained to respond with an aggressive posture during a chemical release by going to the point of the release and attempting to contain or stop it. Hazardous materials technician level Hazardous material specialist On-scene incident commander Refinery and petrochemical plant employees who are likely to witness a chemical release fall under the scope of the awareness level while those employees who take preventative measures to control and secure the release fall under the guidelines of the operations level. In the refining and petrochemical industries, emergency response procedures are generally applied to every individual working for a company. 5
OBJECTIVE THREE When you complete this objective you will be able to Describe the duties of key personnel in an emergency situation. Learning Material KEY PERSONNEL First Responder Awareness Level Everyone working in the plant fits into this emergency response category and receives training for this level. The first responder awareness level is directed at individuals who witness or discover a hazardous chemical release. Properly trained personnel know how to recognize a hazardous chemical release, the hazards associated with the release, how to initiate the emergency response procedure, and how to notify appropriate personnel. The point being made is that anyone working within the plant can and should receive first responder awareness training. First responder awareness training consists of: How to recognize a hazardous chemical release. Is a stream of liquid running across the road water or a hazardous chemical? Is the appearance of a white cloud steam or a hazardous vapour release? How to recognize hazards associate with the release? Is the release coming from a tank, pipe or pump? Did you detect an odor or colour? Did you see identifying symbols or numerals on the leaking vessel? What is the location of the release? How to initiate the emergency response procedure (emergency phone number or radio frequency or alert area operators). How to notify appropriate personnel of an emergency response. 6
First Responder Operations Level Process technicians and engineers working on the process units receive this training upon initial assignment. When a hazardous chemical release occurs, the process technicians working on the unit specific to the release will respond to the emergency. They are trained to respond in a defensive manner without actually trying to stop the release. Their goals are to control or contain the release and protect lives, equipment, and the environment. First responders at the operations level learn: To control and contain the release The structure of emergency response system How to use appropriate personal protective equipment Standard emergency response and termination procedures If you think about it who knows best where the shutoff valves on a unit area are, what chemicals are in what lines and vessels, and where the unit`s emergency equipment is located than the operators of the affected unit? This is why most, if not all, process technicians are designated First Responder, Operations Level. Hazardous materials technicians are individuals who respond to releases or potential releases for the purpose of stopping the release. Hazardous materials specialists are individuals who respond with and provide support to the hazardous materials technicians. Their duties require a more specific knowledge of the chemicals they may be called upon to contain. The Incident Commander (IC) is the leader that directs the emergency response actions. Typically, in chemical plants and oil refineries, a shift supervisor acts as the IC, but this is not always the case. To support the IC, there are several onsite teams a communication team, medical assist team, decontamination team, a team to report to regulatory agencies, a team to monitor onsite and offsite exposures and a rescue team. 7
OBJECTIVE FOUR When you complete this objective you will be able to Describe the contents of an emergency response plan (ERP). Learning Material CONTENT OF ERP`S The ERP needs to be specific to the installation, covering operational and procedural needs for each emergency situation. The detail will therefore vary but it will generally consider such things as: Specific foreseeable emergency situations (or types) and their likely scale and consequences. Organizational roles, authority, responsibilities and expertise. Emergency response actions/procedures. Sufficient resources. Evacuation procedures. Communications. Training for personnel and drills to test the plan. Reportable Accidents and Incidents Where there occurs in an industrial establishment (workplace) or during the course of employment An accident causing death or critical injury as defined by the OSH Act. The occupier or employer shall immediately notify the Chief Inspector via telephone, fax, email or by other means, and send a written notice of the accident using the prescribed form within forty-eight (48) hours of learning of the accident An incident which has the potential to cause critical injury or harm to the safety and health of the public, the occupier shall immediately inform the Chief Inspector via telephone, fax, email or other means, and send a written notice of the incident within forty-eight hours (48) of learning of the incident An accident resulting in a critical injury is followed by death, written notification must be sent to the Chief Inspector within forty-eight (48) hours If the occupier is not the employer of the deceased or seriously injured person, it is the duty of the employer to immediately report the accident to the occupier 8
Summary A written ERP communicates to all parties what action to take, who will take it and the resources needed for all likely emergencies and subsequent clean-up operations. It means that emergencies have been thought through before they happen, so that when they occur you will understand far better what is going on and what to do. Prompt action in an emergency makes all the difference between an incident and a catastrophe. A written ERP also provides documentary evidence of preparedness to regulators especially in the case of an investigation. Questions 1) Describe why operators need to have emergency response training? 2) The chemical industry has five basic levels of emergency response name them. 3) Define emergency response. 4) List six events that would trigger an emergency response. 9