Hazardous materials decontamination and containment involves much more than emergency responders rushing to the scene of an accident or industrial chemical spill and immediately starting to clean up the hazardous materials, as people often see on television and in movies. For example, if responding to an accident involving a tractor-trailer transporting a chemical, hazmat responders must be able to identify the material based on the placard displayed and know what the properties are of that particular chemical. Based on this information, they must take appropriate action such as hazardous waste containment and hazmat decontamination in order to remedy the situation and prevent negative impact to humans or the environment.

Hazardous materials decontamination and containment education and training can occur by:

1. Completing hazmat decontamination training courses utilizing educational materials, either online or through self study

2. Receiving on-site training through certified trainers of hazmat decontamination

3. Staying current on the latest hazardous waste containment systems

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Complete hazardous materials decontamination and containment training online or through self-study

Save money on travel and accommodations by conducting hazardous materials decontamination and containment training on-site at your facility using an approved training program. Other advantages to on-site training (besides monetary savings) is that you can schedule training sessions to fit the schedules of trainees and spend as much time as necessary covering topics that are more in depth.

I recommend: The Emergency Film Group offers hazmat decontamination resources, such as training videos, guides and textbooks, which companies can use to train individuals or groups of people. Jones and Bartlett Publishers offer an online hazardous materials decontamination training course that one may complete in a self-study format.

Receive hazardous materials decontamination and containment training from certified trainers

Emergency responders and hospital staff encounter hazardous materials on a routine basis. An efficient way for them to receive training and stay current on information about hazardous materials containment and hazardous materials decontamination equipment is through certified emergency response trainers.

I recommend: Emergency Management Professionals and Special Operations Response Team develop customized training programs for hospitals and first responder teams. Topics covered by the instructors include emergency management principles and terminology, recognizing hazardous agents, hazardous waste decontamination procedures and use of hazmat decon equipment, hazardous waste containment and clean up.

Receive hazardous materials decontamination training and materials from government agencies

Government agencies not only offer hazardous materials training resources but also provide services such as providing clarification to Hazardous Materials Regulations 49 CFR Parts 100-185, providing assistance in the completion of hazardous materials incident forms and reporting violations.

I recommend: The Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration Office of Hazardous Materials Safety and the Emergency Management Institute are federal agencies that provide hazardous materials training courses and materials.

Hazardous materials decontamination and containment can be a dangerous business, but OSHA put regulatory procedures and standard equipment in place to make the job as uncomplicated and safe as possible. Companies design hazardous materials decontamination equipment to adhere to all OSHA standards for occupational safety.

With proper use and care, this equipment can make the difference between life and death for hazardous material (hazmat) workers and the general public who may be at risk from exposure. The types of hazmat decon equipment most often used in emergency response are:

1. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) – hazmat suits, gloves, masks or anything that provides a direct barrier to protect the body from exposure during hazardous materials containment.

2. Portable Decontamination Systems – systems designed for small-scale or one-person hazardous waste decon, set-up or transport.

3. Tents – durable, multi-purpose tents made for hazardous materials decontamination and containment minimize exposure to airborne chemicals and water runoff from cleaning PPE.

4. Showers – emergency safety showers, the first line of defense against personal chemical exposure, and eyewashes offer affordable equipment and significantly decrease the risk of long-term damage to the individual.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Ensure you have the proper PPE required to meet all potential hazmat decontamination occurrences

If you work with hazardous chemicals, you must have equipment to handle a contamination issue. Be sure to have all levels of PPE required for use with the hazardous chemicals you are working with based on OSHA guidelines and emergency response procedures.

I recommend: Purchase PPE approved by OSHA safety standards from reputable safety-supply companies like Select Safety Sales LLC and Safe Tek USA, LLC. Order a free poster-size PPE Quick Reference Guide that shows the required PPE for all major hazard groups from Graphic Products.

Consider purchasing portable hazardous materials containment systems

Companies for whom hazardous chemical spills in very small quantities are a regular possibility, such as an in-house laboratory or small machine shop, may want to invest in small, portable, easy-to-use hazmat containment systems.

I recommend: International Containment Systems sells the Pordecon hazardous waste decon tank that can be stored in a 5-gallon bucket. MITI Co has the affordable DeCon Hoop, designed for quick set-up and lightweight transport.

Research the designs and durability of hazmat decontamination tents

Pneumatic tents are the most important part of hazardous materials containment when dealing with chemicals that travel by air, especially if you work in windy conditions.

I recommend: Vetter Pneumatic Tents, available from Urban H.A.R.T., are among the most widely-used, durable containment tents in the environmental industry. First Line Technology, LLC offers tents with multiple lanes to perform several decontamination procedures at once.

Install hazardous materials decontamination equipment like decon showers

Decon showers can be used by themselves or attached to a tent set-up. This specific type of hazardous materials decontamination equipment is usually the first line of defense in saving a contaminated person's health.

I recommend: All Safe Industries offers a variety of different decon showers, both with tents and open. Request a quote from Hughes Safety Showers, reputable around the world for emergency safety showers and eyewashes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Containing a hazardous chemical spill and decontaminating all involved personnel and protecting lives is your top priority, but the runoff water from all decon procedures must also be contained and properly disposed of. If your hazardous materials decontamination and containment system does not have storage barrels or over packs included, you must purchase them separately.

Emergency workers and others tasked with tough safety jobs know there's no magic bullet when it comes to containing toxins. However, the federal government, along with other parties, has created some general standard tools and methods for hazardous materials decontamination and containment. Knowing about some of these most common techniques for getting hazmat situations under control can help a business that needs to participate in safeguarding the public against toxic or hazardous substances.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

OSHA

OSHA or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is the federal agency that oversees regulations for all kinds of workplace tasks including hazardous materials decontamination and containment. For anyone working with hazardous materials, knowing all about OSHA is key to safe handling.

I recommend: Find details on OSHA directly from the source at federal info pages like this one on What is OSHA?

PPE or Personal Protective Equipment

If you're involved in any hazmat type job, you probably know that PPE stands for personal protective equipment. But not everyone knows about all of the gear included in this category, from gloves and hats to safety respirators.

I recommend: See this OSHA page for more on PPE. Get links to articles like this one on PPE for hazmat handling at PubMed.

Portable decontamination systems

These kinds of apparatus are designed to quickly decontaminate an area. They generally include a tank and a spray system. They are made so that a person can wear them and carry them around easily.

I recommend: Get defining descriptions of a portable decontamination system at this page from Allen Vanguard. Take a look at some of these systems at OWR.

Pneumatic tents

Pneumatic tents are easily inflatable tents and are another very critical resource for chances at decontaminating an air space. Many hazmat teams keep these handy.

I recommend: Read a whole lot more about using the Vetter decontamination tent with documents available scanned in at Scribd.

Runoff

Runoff is simply any hazardous element that gets into the ground in the form of a liquid. Runoff can blend with groundwater for some pretty scary results. The above tools can help control airborne hazmat materials, but liquid ones need other strategies.

I recommend: Read about runoff controls at this Kentucky government document. See how hazmat crews might learn about containing runoff at Action-Training.

Quarantine

Quarantine is any isolation process that needs to be done to effectively control hazmat materials.

I recommend: See the facts while reading up on quarantine in depth at this resource from the state of Virginia.