I. GENERAL

A. An important area of any hazardous materials incident is the ability to contain the product within a defined area and then restore the area to its prior condition. This plan, however, cannot adequately cover the various forms in which a hazardous materials emergency may appear.

II. CONTAINMENT AND MITIGATION ACTIONS

A. The Incident Commander (IC) has the responsibility of evaluating the health hazard of the contaminants to the clean-up workers. He/she will request assistance, as necessary, from health officials, the facility, transporter, or manufacturer. After evaluation of the hazard, the Incident Commander must determine the most appropriate method with which to proceed.

B. There are three (3) basic methods in which to approach containment. These methods are not the only appropriate solutions, and, as always, the individual incident will dictate what approaches should be followed.

1. Diking

a. Where a leak is emanating from a vehicle, dikes should be placed around both sides of the vehicle rather than just in the area of the leak. Further, the location of the dikes in relation to the vehicle must be determined after the hazards to workers have been evaluated. For example, if it appears that the leak or spill is likely to explode, then the dikes should be placed much further away than if there is no likelihood of explosion. Along with diking, it is vital that precautions are taken to keep the contaminants from entering a water system. Such precautions should include covering manholes and sewers with several layers of plastic, sand, soda ash, and/or oil dry.

2. Discharge

a. Suppression options include creating a water fog or covering the discharge with foam to prevent the formation of a toxic cloud. Steps should be taken to plug the leak.

3. Allow the Product to Continue to Burn

a. Burning should specifically be allowed if the material consists of hydrocarbons and if the material is located either in a pipe or in a cylinder under pressure. Often in these instances, the best action will be no action, except for monitoring the fire to keep it from spreading.

III. CLEAN-UP METHODS

A. Emergency responders at minor emergency situations should use whatever techniques are appropriate for the situation. For example, these techniques should include but not be limited to the following:

1. There are guidelines set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which governs hazardous waste operations and emergency response activities.

2. Flushing the area with water.

3. Preparing dikes.

4. Gathering the contaminants into DOT-permitted drums for proper disposal.

5. If the situation grows beyond the emergency responder’s capabilities, private contractors should be contacted.

6. Following the removal of all hazardous materials from the clean-up, the affected area must be returned to its original condition when feasible. Only materials equivalent to those removed should be used.

7. After all liquids, waste residues, and surrounding contaminated soil have been removed from the site, sampling should be performed for confirmation of complete waste removal. If any residual contamination remains and it is determined that additional removal is not feasible, a site closure plan should be written for review by the applicable state or federal agencies. Such a plan must document that the contaminants left in the soil will not adversely impact any environmental media (ground water, surface water, or atmosphere), and that direct contact through dermal exposure, inhalation, or ingestion will not result in a threat to human health or the environment. The agencies can then determine what additional monitoring will be necessary, such as ground water sampling, so that these sites can be left “clean”.

8. Transportation assistance and/or escort services for containment and clean-up purposes will be available when the situation arises through local, county, and state law enforcement agencies.

9. The person or group that requests, leases, borrows, etc. equipment will be responsible for returning that equipment in full working order to the owner. Where a private contractor is involved, that contractor will be entirely responsible for his/her own equipment used in the emergency response activities.

IV. ORGANIZATION AND ASSIGMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES

A. The Regional Hazmat Response Team will be responsible for containment of the hazardous material, if activated and involved.

B. Clean-up of a minor hazardous materials incident will be the Incident Commander’s responsibility to accomplish or oversee, depending upon whether the product owner can be ascertained.

C. Clean-up of a major hazardous materials incident will the Incident Commander’s (in conjunction with the WVDEP) responsibility to oversee.

D. Local fire services are not prepared or equipped to contain or clean-up a large release. Private contractors will be needed to assist or conduct the activity. The party responsible for causing the spill and/or the owner of the material will be encouraged to arrange clean-up in a timely, professional manner, in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations, as required by law.