Miniature Tech Could Improve Hazmat Detection A team of scientists in Europe have produced a proof-of-concept device that could improve such things as hazardous materials detection and air monitoring. The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology reported that scientists at Empa, ETH Zurich, EPFL, the University of Salamanca, Spain, the European Space Agency and the University of Basel “has […] Written by Phil Ambrose November 23, 2022November 23, 2022
NIOSH: Why Firefighters Must Understand Multi-Gas Monitor Readings Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health issued the following safety advisory in August. We’ve added videos and links to training ideas for multi-gas monitor proficiency. The NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program recommends fire departments ensure all firefighters responding to natural gas and […] Written by Phil Ambrose November 14, 2022November 17, 2022
Three Takeaways from an Airport Hazmat Call Early Halloween morning, Los Angeles firefighters and hazmat crews responded to an incident that shutdown part of Los Angeles International Airport and sickened four people — one who required resuscitation. News agencies report that a carbon dioxide fire suppression system went off in a small utility room that housed electrical equipment. The four workers in […] Written by Phil Ambrose November 11, 2022November 11, 2022
Results from N. American Hazmat Rig Inspections Source: CVSA In June, commercial motor vehicle inspectors inspected 6,204 vehicles transporting hazardous materials/dangerous goods (HM/DG) and 6,668 HM/DG packages in Canada and the U.S. for a five-day unannounced HM/DG inspection and enforcement initiative for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. The total number of violations was 1,774. Of those, just more than 200 involved improperly […] Written by Phil Ambrose November 3, 2022November 3, 2022
DOT to Give Out $32M in Hazmat Grants The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is awarding $32.4 million in grants to states, territories and tribes to support first responders and strengthen local efforts to respond to hazardous materials incidents. Nearly all of the grant money can be used for hazmat training purposes. “First responders are at the forefront […] Written by Phil Ambrose October 20, 2022October 20, 2022
Hurricane Response: DOT Halts Some Enforcements With Hurricane Fiona battering Puerto Rico and Hurricane Ian hitting Florida and other eastern seaboard states, the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration waived or halted some hazmat enforcements. This, the agency says, was done to work with other agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard to […] Written by Phil Ambrose October 13, 2022October 13, 2022
FDNY Shares Fire, Hazmat Lessons on Lithium-Ion Batteries Reprinted from Firefighter Close Calls With permission, we are passing along a Google Drive link to information from the recent FDNY symposium. Here are some overall takeaways from the two days of training: A new Emergency EV Stop device will be released to the fire service in the next six weeks in the United States. […] Written by Phil Ambrose October 5, 2022October 5, 2022
Will Hazmat Teams be Affected by EPA ‘Forever Chemical’ Rule Changes? In late August, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a preliminary document, which indicated the agency wants to classify “forever chemicals” as hazardous substances. These perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) are part of EPA’s overall effort to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — known as PFAS. EPA says PFOAs and PFOSs are two of […] Written by Phil Ambrose September 28, 2022September 27, 2022
Four Lessons From Chlorine Leaks Residents in a small town in east central Illinois spent part of their Labor Day weekend under a hazmat evacuation order. WCIA reported that water treatment plant officials notified the fire department late Sunday afternoon that they had a chemical leak. The fire department got on scene and identified the material as chlorine. Westville has […] Written by Phil Ambrose September 21, 2022September 21, 2022