Page 43 - UNIZULU Disaster Management Plan Report

12. HAZARDOUS MATERIAL INCIDENT
There may be the potential for the accidental release or spillage of hazardous materials on campuses which requires a basic understanding of initial actions to ensure a prompt response and to minimise the potential for harm. As all hazardous material spills should be dealt with immediately.
No action should be taken that places health and safety at risk. All departments that use hazardous materials are responsible for establishing departmental procedures to minimise the effects of a hazardous material spill (in local or public areas). Ensure that:
• an adequate spill kit is accessible in the area where hazardous materials are used.
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all hazardous materials are accessible to personnel within the work area.
• first aid requirements, as specified in Material Safety Data Sheets, are available with the capacity and facilities to deal with specific hazards not identified in generic first aid assessments (e.g., Hydrofluoric Acid, Sodium Cyanide, scheduled poisons, highly toxic chemicals and corrosive chemicals).
• personnel who work with hazardous materials have received instructions to immediately contain the hazardous material spill in order to minimise its spread.
If there is any suspected release or spillage in any public area, then the 5 Cs principles should be applied.
1) CONFIRM
Confirm there is a spillage/release and its extent. Do not try and clean up the substance or packaging.
2) CLEAR
Clear the area of any students, employees (unless assisting) and members of the public.
3) CONTAIN
Contain the area if possible, by closing doors and windows. If need be, isolate the location through securing doors by disabling or activating access control.
Expert advice should be sought as there may be occasions when ventilation of an area will be the preferred option. This should be clarified at the earliest opportunity.
4) CORDON
Maintain a sufficient cordon around the area of the spillage, which will be dependent on the nature, volume and location of any spillage / release. Once clear do not allow anyone to enter the affected area.
5) CONTACT
The PSD and SHE offices
AFTER HOURS CALL PSD IMMEDIATELY! DIAL 6599
12.1 CRT Procedures
OFFICE HOURS CALL SHE VIA EXT 6525
UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND
12.1.1 Protective Services Division
Upon receiving information of a hazardous material incident, the PSD’s responsibilities are as follows:
1) The Director: PSD should contact the Incident
Manager and Chair of the CRT to activate the Disaster
Management and Response Network.
2) Dispatch officers to the area to determine the extent
of the spill, isolate the affected area and initiate
evacuation procedures if required.
3) Identify possible injuries and respond as necessary
(call an ambulance or UNIZULU first aiders).
12.1.2 Infrastructure Department
Upon receiving notification of a hazardous material spill, the Incident Manager has the following responsibilities:
1) Dispatch members of the CRT to assist the PSD, as
required, and prepare to disconnect utilities to the
affected building(s) if necessary.
2) Notify external agencies (approved Disaster Response
contractor) to provide disaster spill clean-up services, as required.
DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN
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