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<br />d) Establishing containment zones. <br />e) Undertaking decontamination procedures. <br />t) Conducting operations in a manner to reduce possibility of contamination. <br /> <br />Decontamination: Decontamination (Decon) is the process of making personnel, equipment and supplies safe by <br />reducing present levels of poisonous or otherwise harmful substances. This process is one of the most important <br />steps in ensuring personal safety at a hazardous materials emergency. The extent of its success depends on the <br />ability of the On-Scene Commander to maintain control of personnel at the site. <br /> <br />The detail of decontamination operations required at an incident depends on the safety and health hazards of the <br />contaminants. An uncontaminated light oil, for example, that presents a minimal hazard can be partially <br />decontaminated by flushing it from protective clothing. In contrast, a poisonous material will require a careful, <br />detailed plan. (Use AMX field handbook de con selection worksheet for generic decon solutions.) <br /> <br />Emergency Medical Treatment: Teams from Emergency Medical Service (EMS) are available to assist in medical <br />treatment, and monitor the response personnel and others exposed to hazardous materials. The On-Scene <br />Commander should identify the telephone numbers of the local EMS provider. If the On-Scene Commander deems <br />it necessary to have and EMS unit stand-by at the site make the request through the local EMS central dispatch, or <br />through the IC function on scene. <br /> <br />Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) <br /> <br />Structural Firefighting Gear: Structural firefighting gear is designed to protect firefighters from heat and flame. <br />(Not Chemical Exposure) <br /> <br />Hazardous materials can contaminate protective clothing, respiratory equipment, tools, vehicles, and other <br />equipment used at an emergency scene. Full firefighting gear and SCBA will be used at all time as a minimum of <br />protection against flame/flash fire exposure. Safe work practice WILL MINIMIZE exposure and contamination. <br /> <br />Use of Chemical Protective Clothing: The use of chemical protective clothing and equipment requires specific <br />skill acquired through training. It is only available to members of AMX. <br /> <br />This type of special clothing may only protect against one chemical, yet be readily penetrated by other chemicals for <br />which is not designed. It offers little or no thermal protection in case of fire. No one suit offers protection from all <br />hazardous materials. <br /> <br />When responding to non-hazardous substance leather gloves, steel-toed boots, AMX uniform, a hard hat, and safety <br />glasses will be minimum PPE worn by personnel. For all other products, consult AMX Field Safety handbook for <br />PPE selection, or contact H & S. <br /> <br />Special Protection: The level of special protection required in each zone at an incident will be determined by the <br />On-Scene Commander or Safety Officer based on information available, according to the site-specific health and <br />safety plan. <br /> <br />Levels of Protection <br /> <br />The levels of protection available include: <br /> <br />Level A: <br /> <br />Highest level of protection to the responder (vapor tight ensemble, SCBA, <br />Etc.) <br /> <br />Level B: <br /> <br />High level of protection to the respiratory tract but lower level of skin <br />protection than level A. Level A and B protective equipment should only be used by members of <br />AMX Emergency Response Team. <br /> <br />48 <br />