We prepare for TEOTWAWKI-type things mostly right now—the total collapse of society—economy, shipping, war with China, Russia, invading illegal aliens, our own government… When I started preparing my family for uncertain times, I began with the idea of being prepared for unemployment, disability, large medical bills, or a blizzard or earthquake. Or even a chemical spill, because we lived near rail lines and the interstate.
East Palestine, Ohio, got their own TEOTWAWKI earlier this month. Reports from locals and a hazmat specialist suggest that perhaps the government hasn’t handled the disaster all that well. Dying fish and animals suggest that a lot more remediation should have been done before people were allowed back in their homes.
It all suggests to me that perhaps I don’t want to rely on the government to tell me if and when it’s safe to proceed in the event of a chemical incident. And I got to thinking about my family members. I have three now that work for the mines out here. None are directly involved in mining, but they are all on site. They work close to rail lines and travel the interstate every day.
And so a post by Peter Grant on his Bayou Renaissance Man blog on 15 February 2023 and some of the comments there made me think that the topic was a good one for an article today. (I actually started this post a week ago, but then some bad intestinal bug had me dealing with my own toxic waste situation for a few days. All better now.)
In his post, Mr. Grant included links to a couple of government publications, both free downloads.
The first is the NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. (Am I the only one who finds humor in calling an 8.5 x 11” 454-page document a “pocket guide”)
From the CDC website:
The NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (NPG) informs workers, employers, and occupational health professionals about workplace chemicals and their hazards. The NPG gives general industrial hygiene information for hundreds of chemicals/classes. The NPG clearly presents key data for chemicals or substance groupings (such as cyanides, fluorides, manganese compounds) that are found in workplaces. The guide offers key facts, but does not give all relevant data. The NPG helps users recognize and control workplace chemical hazards.
NIOSH offers four versions of the NPG: print, online, PDF, and mobile web app.
The second resource is the Emergency Response Guidebook, “…intended for use by first responders during the initial phase of a transportation incident involving hazardous materials/dangerous goods”.
PHMSA's 2020 Emergency Response Guidebook provides first responders with a go-to manual to help deal with hazmat transportation accidents during the critical first 30 minutes.
DOT's goal is to place an ERG in every public emergency service vehicle nationwide. To date, more than 16 million free copies have been distributed to the emergency response community through state emergency management coordinators. Members of the public may purchase a copy of the ERG through the GPO Bookstore and other commercial suppliers.
If you want hard copies (in a disaster, the internet could be overwhelmed or otherwise unavailable), you’ll need nearly a ream of paper to print them up, but tech-savvy people can load the apps to a phone.
There were a couple of valuable comments on Mr. Grant’s post relative to any hazmat situation you may encounter:
1. Always make sure you know which way the wind is blowing and that you are upwind of the incident at all times.
2. Hold your thumb out at arm’s length. If you can see any of the hazmat site, you are too close. (Thanks, Michael!)
As Mr. Grant noted, we shouldn’t rely on the government to inform us of health hazards. They’ve already got an abysmal record, they’re only getting worse, and we are the ones who have to suffer the consequences of their malfeasance.
If you store any chemicalsat hone you should make sure you have a copy of the SDS ( safety data sheet), it will tell you clean up procedure, dusposal method, health hazards, proper storage and the correct safety gear to wear while using it. The SDS are free online by law.
ReplyDeleteExile1981
Excellent suggestion! I've got work to do tomorrow.
DeleteUgh. That was my comment above. Why is it that every "upgrade" Blogger does, isn't?
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