Abstract
ABSTRACT: 2017-215Protecting hazardous material (HAZMAT) responders during the response and remediation of crude oil derailments challenges the normal conventions of worker protection and personal protective equipment (PPE). Hazards associated with crude oil derailment response such as chemical exposure, fire, water, and thermal stress require adaptation of worker protection and PPE to address worker safety. Traditional approaches to worker protection, in some cases, do not fully protect the HAZMAT responder with regard to the variety of hazards present at a crude oil derailment site. Those responsible for establishing worker protection and PPE must closely analyze all hazards present and alter process and/or PPE based on the most aggressive and predominant hazard for a specific task. Broad application of respiratory protection may protect only a small portion of workers from chemical exposure while adding additional hazards to other workers who are not at risk of exposure based on proximity or duration of their work task. In many cases, chemical protective suits are used to protect workers from skin contact and heavy soiling to clothes. With chemical suits, there is an increased risk of heat stress, loss of coordination and mobility, and other unintended hazards; therefore, a thorough risk assessment must be completed to determine if chemical suits are appropriate and if adaptations to chemical suits are required to reduce these additional hazards to cleanup workers. Furthermore, at derailment sites where large quantities of crude oil have been spilled, cleanup activities should be altered during hot work or during active fires to limit the presence of nearby workers conducting oil cleanup operations. It is the responsibility of those directing safety and operations to work closely together and agree upon operational periods and PPE, while adapting where necessary to protect all workers during each day of the response.
Published Version
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