Unit VII Case Study For this assignment, you are the lead
incident commander for a hazardous materials incident similar to those that
have been introduced in this course. In this scenario, HLF Polyurethane
Manufacturing was undergoing a maintenance activity in which an acid gas feed
line segment required replacement. Pressure gauges were not installed in the
line to monitor activity or to indicate if the line was operational. Upon
initiating the line breaking activity (opening the line to the atmosphere) under
self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), there was an uncontrolled release of
acid gas. A nearby welding operation provided the ignition source and the
flammable gas was ignited. The following actions were initially taken: The
evacuation alarm was sounded and the facility emergency response team (ERT) was
activated. The plant manager and the local fire department were notified of the
incident. The incident command was established at the facility office near the
main access gate to the south (this is the furthest distance within the
property boundary from the incident location). The incident commander
implemented actions required under the approved emergency response plan. The
ERT was not able to immediately isolate the source of the incident. The fire department
arrived on location and assumed the incident command of the event. Additional
Relevant Information: The facility encompasses an area measuring 2000 feet by
1400 feet. The nearest residential community is located approximately 1000 feet
to the northeast. A plastic recycling plant is located along the south fence
boundary of the refinery. A major interstate highway runs directly parallel to
the plant. The ambient temperature on the day of the incident was 85° F and the
wind was blowing at 7 mph from the southwest to the northeast. Work crews were
scheduled to work 12-hour shifts, 24-hours a day, to complete the incident
response. The facility has a trained ERT that can respond to incidents. Your
essay must address the following: Summarize the incident. Identify all
hazardous materials involved, their classifications and their physical
properties. Discuss chemical incompatibility and interactions relevant to this
incident. Discuss any short or long term mitigation necessary.
Explain how the lead incident commander should respond to
this incident based on the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG).
Click the link below to access the ERG at the Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration OSH 3640, Interactions of Hazardous
Materials 3 website: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
(n.d.). Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG). Retrieved from
http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/library/erg
Explain the corrective action plan that should be
implemented based on the ERG to prevent a reoccurrence of this event.
Your response must be at least one page in length (not
counting the cover page or reference page). All sources used, including the
text, must be referenced. Paraphrased and quoted materials must have
accompanying in-text and reference citations in APA format. Your response must
be at least one page in length (not counting the cover page or reference page).
All sources used, including the text, must be referenced. Paraphrased and
quoted materials must have accompanying in-text and reference citations in APA
format.
