HAZMAT Awareness Training Service | in Dammam - Riyadh - Jeddah - Makkah

1. Introduction to Hazardous Materials Awareness

1.1 Hazardous Materials Overview

• Hazardous material definition per DOT including (substance or material posing unreasonable risk to health/safety/property, transportation regulation, placarding required)

• HAZMAT versus hazardous waste including (HAZMAT used/transported, hazardous waste discarded, regulatory differences, both dangerous, awareness applies)

• Common workplace hazardous materials including (fuels, chemicals, compressed gases, corrosives, flammable liquids, cleaning agents, maintenance supplies)

• Incident potential including (transportation accidents, facility releases, storage failures, natural disasters, intentional acts, terrorism/WMD)

• Health and safety risks including (acute toxicity, chronic effects, fire/explosion, environmental contamination, community impact, economic loss)

1.2 Regulatory Framework and Response Levels

• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120(q) including (Emergency Response to Hazardous Substance Releases, training levels, employer requirements, competencies)

• Response levels including (Awareness recognize and notify, Operations defensive, Technician offensive entry, Specialist advanced, Incident Commander management)

• Awareness level definition per NFPA 472 including (first on scene, recognize presence, protect themselves, secure area, call for help, no close approach)

• DOT 49 CFR Parts 100-185 including (Hazardous Materials Regulations, transportation, placarding, shipping papers, packaging)

• EPA 40 CFR 311 SARA Title III including (Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know, LEPC, reporting, chemical inventory)

• NFPA 472 including (Professional Competence of Responders to HAZMAT/WMD Incidents, awareness competencies, performance-based)

1.3 Awareness-Level Responsibilities

• Core competencies including (recognize presence, identify materials, understand health effects, implement isolation, notify authorities, remain safe distance)

• What awareness-level personnel do including (detect presence, protect themselves, isolate area, deny entry, call for help)

• What awareness-level personnel do NOT do including (no investigation approach, no sample collection, no containment attempts, no identification confirmation, no entry)

• Personal safety priority including (life safety first, stay upwind/uphill/upstream, isolation distance, no heroics, equipment limitations)

2. Hazardous Materials Recognition and Identification

2.1 Occupancy and Location Clues

• Facility types including (chemical plants, warehouses, gas stations, manufacturing, laboratories, hospitals, agricultural, treatment plants)

• Transportation including (trucks, rail cars, pipelines, ships, aircraft, intermodal containers, cargo types)

• Occupancy indicators including (unusual odors, dead animals/vegetation, visible vapors, stained surfaces, corrosion, labeling)

• Location-based recognition including (industrial areas, transportation routes, storage facilities, loading docks, drum storage)

2.2 Container Types and Shapes

• Transportation containers including (MC-306/DOT-406 gasoline, MC-307/DOT-407 chemicals, MC-312/DOT-412 corrosives, MC-331 LPG, MC-338 cryogenic)

• Rail tank cars including (pressure cars, non-pressure cars, covered hoppers, box cars, cryogenic, specialized, identifying features)

• Intermodal containers including (IM portable tanks, ISO containers, tube modules, specialized, markings)

• Fixed facility containers including (vertical storage tanks, horizontal tanks, spheres, process vessels, drums, cylinders, totes)

• Cylinder color codes including (oxygen green, nitrogen black, acetylene maroon, CO2 grey, propane silver, no universal standard caution)

• Shape recognition including (pressure rounded, non-pressure flat-ended, specialized, venting/relief devices, external heating/cooling)

2.3 Senses for Detection (with Caution)

• Sight including (vapors, smoke, leaking liquids, stains, corrosion, dead vegetation, labels, placards, distance observation only)

• Sound including (hissing releases, alarms, ruptures, BLEVE warning, relief valve activation, distance only)

• Smell including (odors indicate presence, many materials odorless, olfactory fatigue, toxic before smelled, never approach to investigate)

• Never rely on senses including (many hazards undetectable, exceed safe levels before perceived, detection equipment needed, distance critical)

3. Hazardous Materials Labeling and Marking Systems

3.1 DOT Placards and Labels

• DOT placard system per 49 CFR 172 including (diamond shape, 10.8 inches, vehicles/rail/bulk containers, visible from 50 feet, hazard class)

• DOT hazard classes including (Class 1 Explosives, Class 2 Gases, Class 3 Flammable Liquids, Class 4 Flammable Solids, Class 5 Oxidizers/Organic Peroxides, Class 6 Toxic/Infectious, Class 7 Radioactive, Class 8 Corrosives, Class 9 Miscellaneous)

• Placard colors and symbols including (orange 1 explosives, red 2.1 flammable gas/3 flammable liquid, yellow 5.1 oxidizer, white 2.2 non-flammable gas/5.2 organic peroxide, green 2.2 non-flammable gas oxygen, yellow/white 7 radioactive, white/black 8 corrosive, white/black stripes 1.4 explosives)

• Four-digit identification numbers including (UN/NA numbers, orange panel or placard, chemical identification, ERG reference, 1203 gasoline example)

• Package labels including (smaller diamonds, same design as placards, individual packages, regulations, multiple labels sometimes)

3.2 NFPA 704 Hazard Diamond

• NFPA 704 system including (fixed facility, four-color diamond, Health blue/Flammability red/Instability yellow/Special white, severity 0-4)

• Health hazard (blue) including (0 normal material, 1 slight hazard, 2 temporary incapacitation, 3 serious injury, 4 death or major injury)

• Flammability (red) including (0 will not burn, 1 above 200°F, 2 above 100°F, 3 below 100°F, 4 below 73°F)

• Instability (yellow) including (0 stable, 1 unstable if heated, 2 violent chemical change, 3 shock/heat may detonate, 4 may detonate)

• Special hazards (white) including (W water reactive, OX oxidizer, COR corrosive, ACID/ALK, radioactive, specific hazards)

• NFPA 704 limitations including (fixed facilities, general hazard, not specific chemical ID, fire service use, supplemental information needed)

3.3 GHS (Globally Harmonized System)

• GHS pictograms including (standardized symbols, red diamond border, black symbols, international harmonization, chemical containers)

• GHS symbols including (flame, flame over circle oxidizer, gas cylinder, corrosion, skull and crossbones, exclamation mark, health hazard, exploding bomb, environment)

• GHS label elements including (pictogram, signal word Danger/Warning, hazard statements, precautionary statements, product identifier, supplier information)

• Safety Data Sheets (SDS) per GHS including (16 sections standardized, Section 1 Identification, Section 2 Hazard Identification, Section 9 Physical/Chemical Properties, emergency info)

4. Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)

4.1 ERG Structure and Use

• Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) including (DOT publication, updated every 4 years, initial response, isolation/protective distances, identification)

• ERG sections including (Yellow ID number, Blue name, Orange guide pages, Green protective distances, White reactivity, placards)

• Intended users including (first responders, awareness level, initial action, before specialized teams, quick reference)

• ERG limitations including (general guidance, worst-case, broad categories, confirmation needed, not comprehensive, supplement with SDS)

4.2 Using the ERG

• ID number method (Yellow pages) including (four-digit UN/NA number from placard, find in yellow section, directed to guide number)

• Material name method (Blue pages) including (alphabetical listing, chemical name if known, directed to guide number)

• Guide pages (Orange) including (numbered guides, potential hazards, public safety actions, emergency response, evacuation distances)

• Highlighted entries including (toxic inhalation hazard, refer to green pages, large isolation/protective action distances, priority)

• Initial isolation and protective action distances (Green pages) including (small spill versus large spill, daytime versus nighttime, downwind distances, evacuation recommendations)

4.3 ERG Information Categories

• Potential hazards including (health, fire/explosion, priority order, hazard descriptions, warning statements)

• Public safety including (isolation, evacuation, protective clothing, PPE, incident command, notification)

• Emergency response including (fire suppression, spill/leak control, first aid, awareness-level actions limited)

• Protective distances including (initial isolation zone, protective action distance, small/large spills, day/night wind conditions)

5. Container Markings and Shipping Papers

5.1 Additional Markings and Labels

• Elevated temperature placard including (HOT, materials 212°F or above, white placard, burn hazard)

• Marine pollutant mark including (fish and dead tree symbol, environmental hazard, water contamination concern)

• Inhalation hazard including (poison inhalation hazard, toxic gases/vapors, Zone A/B, Danger placard, special requirements)

• RQ (Reportable Quantity) including (EPA threshold, spill reporting required, shipping papers, release notification)

• Limited quantity including (smaller amounts, consumer commodity ORM-D, reduced regulation, still hazardous)

5.2 Shipping Papers

• Shipping paper types including (highway bill of lading, rail waybill, air air bill, water dangerous cargo manifest, pipeline right-of-way)

• Required information including (proper shipping name, hazard class, ID number, packing group, quantity, emergency contact)

• Shipping paper location including (truck driver possession/door pocket, rail engine, aircraft cockpit, vessel wheelhouse/bridge)

• Hazardous entries including (highlighted, first, X column, RQ, emergency response phone number required)

6. Hazard and Risk Assessment

6.1 Understanding Hazardous Materials Hazards

• Health hazards including (toxic poisoning, corrosive burns, asphyxiation, carcinogens, irritants, sensitizers, reproductive, routes of entry)

• Routes of entry including (inhalation most common, ingestion, absorption skin/eyes, injection, prevention controls)

• Physical hazards including (flammable/combustible, explosive, reactive, oxidizer, compressed gas, cryogenic)

• Fire hazards including (flash point, ignition temperature, flammable range LEL/UEL, vapor pressure, vapor density)

• Reactivity hazards including (water reactive, air reactive, polymerization, incompatibles, self-reactive, peroxide formers)

6.2 Exposure Limits and Toxicity

• Exposure limits including (OSHA PEL, ACGIH TLV, NIOSH REL, ppm/mg/m³, time-weighted average, STEL/ceiling)

• IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health) including (NIOSH value, 30-minute escape, atmosphere testing, respirator selection)

• Toxicity measures including (LD50 lethal dose, LC50 lethal concentration, lower more toxic, acute versus chronic)

• Exposure symptoms including (irritation, dizziness, nausea, difficulty breathing, burns, unconsciousness, medical attention)

6.3 Environmental Factors

• Weather conditions including (wind direction/speed, temperature, humidity, precipitation, atmospheric stability, plume behavior)

• Topography including (uphill/downhill flow, low-lying areas, confined spaces, vapor travel, drainage, water contamination)

• Time factors including (day/night, rush hour, event schedules, population density, vulnerable facilities)

• Proximity concerns including (schools, hospitals, residences, waterways, environmentally sensitive, evacuation challenges)

7. Awareness-Level Response Actions

7.1 Initial Actions Upon Recognition

• RAIN acronym including (Recognize presence, Avoid contact, Isolate area, Notify authorities, awareness-level response)

• Recognize including (placard/label/shape/location, indicators, detection, confirmation, multiple sources)

• Avoid including (stay upwind/uphill/upstream, safe distance, no investigation, no sampling, deny entry)

• Isolate including (control access, cordon/barrier, keep people away, secure perimeter, accountability)

• Notify including (call 911/emergency services, facility emergency team, supervisor, incident details, ongoing updates)

7.2 Isolation and Scene Security

• Isolation distance including (ERG initial isolation, minimum safe distance, adjust based on conditions, larger if uncertainty)

• Control zones including (hot exclusion contamination, warm decontamination, cold support, access control)

• Deny entry including (no unauthorized access, physical barriers, personnel, signage, verbal warnings, traffic control)

• Upwind/uphill/upstream positioning including (vapor travel, liquid flow, prevailing wind, topography, safe approach, escape route)

• Safe refuge location including (assembly point, upwind distance, communication ability, visibility, emergency vehicle access)

7.3 Notification and Communication

• Who to notify including (911 emergency services, CHEMTREC 1-800-424-9300, facility emergency response, supervisor, local emergency planning committee)

• Information to provide including (material identified, placard/label info, container type/size, release size, injuries, environmental impact, conditions)

• CHEMTREC including (24-hour emergency hotline, chemical information, manufacturer notification, guidance, toll-free 1-800-424-9300)

• National Response Center (NRC) including (federal reporting, reportable quantity releases, 1-800-424-8802, EPA/Coast Guard/DOT)

• Ongoing communication including (updates, changes, responder information, public information, coordination)

7.4 Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place

• Evacuation including (remove people from danger, ERG protective action distances, crosswind if possible, route selection, accountability)

• Shelter-in-place including (remain indoors, close windows/doors, shut off HVAC, seal room, monitor broadcasts, when appropriate)

• Decision factors including (material, quantity, weather, proximity, time available, vulnerable populations, expert guidance)

• Public warning including (emergency alert systems, social media, door-to-door, loudspeakers, media, clear instructions)

8. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Information Resources

8.1 Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

• SDS purpose per OSHA HazCom 1910.1200 including (chemical information, hazards, safe handling, emergency response, employee right-to-know)

• 16-section GHS format including (1 Identification, 2 Hazard Identification, 3 Composition, 4 First Aid, 5 Firefighting, 6 Accidental Release, 7 Handling/Storage, 8 Exposure Controls/PPE, 9 Physical/Chemical Properties, 10 Stability/Reactivity, 11 Toxicological Information, 12 Ecological, 13 Disposal, 14 Transport, 15 Regulatory, 16 Other)

• Key sections for emergency response including (Section 2 hazards, Section 4 first aid, Section 5 firefighting, Section 6 spill response)

• SDS access including (workplace readily available, electronic acceptable, emergency availability, manufacturer websites)

8.2 Additional Information Resources

• NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards including (concise chemical information, exposure limits, PPE recommendations, physical properties)

• Facility pre-plans including (site maps, chemical inventory, Tier II reports, emergency procedures, contact information)

• Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) including (SARA Title III, community planning, facility knowledge, resources, coordination)

• Poison Control Centers including (1-800-222-1222, medical toxicology, exposure treatment, public health)

• WISER (Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders) including (mobile app, chemical data, ERG, decision support)

9. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Awareness

9.1 PPE Levels

• EPA PPE levels including (Level A vapor protection SCBA/encapsulated, Level B splash SCBA/chemical suit, Level C air-purifying, Level D work uniform)

• Awareness-level PPE including (structural firefighting, work clothes, distance primary protection, minimal if any, evacuate not intervene)

• Respiratory protection including (SCBA self-contained breathing apparatus, APR air-purifying respirator, atmosphere-supplying, IDLH requires SCBA)

• Chemical protective clothing including (vapor suit Level A, splash suit Level B, resistance varies by material, selection critical)

• PPE limitations including (awareness personnel not equipped, specialized training required, cost, maintenance, not for entry)

9.2 Decontamination Awareness

• Decontamination purpose including (remove contaminants, prevent spread, health protection, environmental protection, controlled process)

• Decontamination types including (gross/emergency, technical, mass, ambulatory, non-ambulatory, patient priority)

• Awareness-level actions including (avoid contamination, if contaminated remove clothing/rinse/seek medical, no formal decon capability)

• Self-decontamination including (remove contaminated clothing, flush with water, isolate items, medical evaluation, proper disposal)

10. Special Situations and Terrorism Awareness

10.1 Hazardous Materials Terrorism/WMD

• CBRNE threats including (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive, intentional release, mass casualties, terrorism)

• Recognition indicators including (unusual containers/devices, abandoned items, mass casualties, unusual odors/substances, patterns)

• Criminal/terrorist incident including (crime scene preservation, law enforcement notification, FBI/ATF, secondary devices, awareness distance)

• Awareness-level response including (same principles RAIN, greater isolation, contamination control, avoid scene disturbance, unified command)

10.2 Radioactive Materials

• Radiation types including (alpha, beta, gamma, neutron, penetrating ability, shielding, distance/time/shielding protection)

• Radioactive placards including (Trefoil symbol, Class 7, yellow/white, Radioactive I/II/III, transport index)

• Radiation detection including (survey meters, dosimeters, specialized equipment, background levels, awareness-level no entry)

• Radiation protection including (time minimize, distance maximize, shielding mass, ALARA As Low As Reasonably Achievable, specialized response)

10.3 Infectious Substances

• Biological hazards including (infectious substances, medical waste, specimens, cultures, Category A/B)

• Infectious substance labels including (Class 6.2, biohazard symbol, proper shipping name, packaging requirements)

• Response considerations including (contamination control, medical evaluation, isolation, specialized disposal, public health notification)