Sample lesson plan-Cont.

Any personnel injuries or witnesses? How much material is spilled, how many gallons, how many square feet on the deck? e. DCC needs as much information as possible to decide who to send to the scene. For example, a 5 gallon can of paint thinner was dropped down a ladder near a storeroom. The can burst open when it hit the deck. The vestibule has no ventilation and the flammable vapors are building. In response to this spill, the DCA may want to send the entire fire party with charged fire hoses to the scene. The DCA needs specific information to make proper decisions. 2. INITIATION OF ACTION a. The most important initial actions are to evacuate personnel, secure power to the affected area (if material is flammable), and call away a medical emergency for any injured personnel. b. Block off the area until help arrives. c. The DCA, CDO, fire marshal, repair locker leader, scene leader, or other authority will stabilize the situation before thinking about the cleanup. Stabilization may include securing deck drains, securing ventilation, setting spill boundaries, and staging backup personnel. d. Once the situation is stable, injured personnel have been removed and cared for, and there is no immediate threat of fire or explosion, then the authorities can consider their next step. 3. EVALUATION a. The medical department representative and the HM coordinator must have an MSDS for every hazardous material held on board. Each CDO, DCA, fire marshal, and key player must know where to find these MSDSs and how to use them. b. These MSDSs provide specific spill and hazard information for the spilled item. The MSDS will tell if the item is corrosive, gives off toxic fumes, or reacts with nearby sub- stances. In trying to decide how to handle and cleanup the spill, the MSDS informa- tion is critical. c. Part of an evaluation may take place during the initiation of the action phase. The remainder may take place during the next phase of containment and damage control. 4. CONTAINMENT AND DAMAGE CONTROL a. During this phase, the CDO, DCA, fire marshal, or scene leader decides if a Red Devil blower is needed for ventilation, and if any further damage control actions, beyond the initial action, is needed. b. The decisions are made, based on the MSDS, what type of protective equipment is needed, and who will dress-out to approach the spill. c. Barriers of sand, absorbent, blankets, or paper toweling maybe placed around the spill to prevent spreading. d. The gas free engineering petty officer maybe required to determine explosive levels and levels of toxic gas. Figure 1-1.—Sample lesson plan—Continued. 1-6