How do hazmat responders contain chemical spills? what products do they use?

Question

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How does this compare? http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=42...

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Answer 1

We use what ever methods and materials will work. Plugging a leak, building a dam, turning a valve or transferring the material to a different container are common methods.
Peat moss is used to absorb spills, soda is used to change a chemical compound to a less hazardous material, water is used to dilute some materials.
It often the job of the responder to contain and control a spill or leak, while clean-up is contracted to specialized companies to remove and properly dispose of a spill. High tech incinerators are often employed to dispose of contaminated soils.
Our response is based on what material is the threat and what quantity has been released. Protection of lives and property is our goal. Often there is no perfect answer and best option must be used. This may mean allowing a leak to continue and dissipate to the atmosphere while controlling the area to ensure the safety of people in the vicinity.
For specific recommendations on response to a given material check the Material Safety Data Sheets provided with any compound or chemical hazard. You can often find these on line by searching the name of the chemical or product.

Answer 2

The use of site specific gear will depend on the nature of the release. For instance, if it is a cloud of chlorine gas, they will so in with a supplied air moon suit. If they are only removing some diesel spilled fuel, it may only be a tyvek coverall and a half face respirator.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

Anyone entering a potential hazardous waste site must be protected against possible hazards. The purpose of personal protective clothing and equipment (PPE) is to shield or isolate individuals from the chemical, physical and biologic hazards that may be encountered at a facility. Adequate PPE should protect the respiratory system, skin, eye, face, hands, feet, head, body, and hearing. The individual components of clothing and equipment must be assembled into a full protective ensemble that protects the worker from both the site-specific hazards and the drawbacks of the PPE ensemble itself. Sample protective ensemble components of the widely utilized United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Levels of Protection: Levels A, B, C, and D are listed as the following:

Level A

Used when the greatest level of skin, respiratory, and eye protection is required.

Recommended Equipment: (use as appropriate)

1. Pressure-demand Full-Face Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) or Pressure-demand Supplied Air Respirator with Escape SCBA
2. Fully-encapsulating, Chemical Resistant Suit
3. Coveralls*
4. Long Cotton Underwear*
5. Chemical Resistant Outer Gloves
6. Chemical Resistant Inner Gloves
7. Chemical Resistant Steel Toed Boots/Shoes
8. Hard Hat under Coveralls/Suit*
9. Disposable Protective Coveralls, Gloves and Boots.*
(May be worn over Fully-encapsulating Suit.)
10. Interior Cooling Unit*
11. Two Way Radio Communications (worn inside encapsulating suit).


*optional as required

Level B

The same level of respiratory protection, but less skin protection than Level A. (Used when the highest level of respiratory protection is necessary, but a lesser level of skin protection is needed.) Used in atmospheres containing less than 19.5% oxygen. (Minimum level recommended for initial site entries until the hazards have been further identified).

Recommended Equipment: (use as appropriate)

1. Pressure-demand Full-Face SCBA or Pressure-demand Supplied Air Respirator with Escape SCBA
2. Chemical Resistant clothing (overalls and long sleeved jacket; hooded one-or-two-piece chemical splash suit; disposable chemical-resistant one-piece suit)
3. Coveralls*
4. Long Cotton Underwear*
5. Chemical Resistant Inner and Outer Gloves
6. Chemical Resistant Face Shield*
7. Chemical Resistant Steel Toed Boots/Shoes
8. Hard Hat
9. Disposable Outer Boot Covers*
10. Two-Way Radio Communications (worn inside encapsulating suit).

*optional as required

Level C

Used when the types and concentrations of airborne substances are known and the criteria for using air-purifying respirators are met. The same level of skin protection as Level B, but a lower level of respiratory protection.

Recommended Equipment: (use as appropriate)

1. Full-face or half-mask, air-purifying, canister-equipped respirator
2. Chemical Resistant clothing (overalls and long sleeved jacket; hooded one-or-two-piece chemical splash suit; disposable chemical-resistant one-piece suit)
3. Coveralls*
4. Long Cotton Underwear*
5. Chemical Resistant Inner and Outer Gloves
6. Chemical Resistant Face Shield*
7. Chemical Resistant Steel Toed Boots/Shoes
8. Hard Hat
9. Disposable Outer Boot Covers*
10. Two Way Radio Communications (worn inside encapsulating suit)
11. Escape Mask*
12. Hearing protection

* optional as required

Level D

A work uniform giving minimum protection for nuisance contamination only. No respiratory protection. Minimal skin protection.

Recommended Equipment: (use as appropriate)

1. Coveralls
2. Safety boots/shoes
3. Safety glasses or chemical splash goggles
4. Hard hat
5. Hearing protection
6. Gloves (Inner and/or Outer)
7. Escape mask*
8. Face shield*

*optional as required

Answer 3

Depends on the chemical that has been spilled and where the spill is.