Hazmat Scene Response Plan 

 
By 
 
Nitchanan Thapthim 
Panicha Vongthoytong 
Wanwarisa Krittiyasrisumet 
Watcharit Polsen 

Integrated Science  
Mr. Andrew James ​Filipczak 
Mahidol University International Demonstration School 
Semester 1 Academic Year 2018-2019  
 Our team was reported of an accident involving chemical spillage inside MUIDS campus.
We dispatched to the area and discovered the victim lied on the ground, unconsciously. The site
of the incident took place near the grassfield of MUIDS with 4 chemical containers around the
victim. The chemicals in-site are dangerously-concerned substances which are Toluene,
Polyurethane Coating, Sodium borohydride and sodium hydroxide solution, and
Tetrachloroethylene. All containers were wide open and the chemicals were spilled out of the
container all over the site. We presented this accident as a dangerous threat to all properties and
personnels of MUIDS campus along with all nearby areas surrounding the campus. We had
recorded collectible datas from the site and here are what we had found:

1. Surrounding the spillage site

The chemical spillage was reported to us on September 6th, around 10 o’clock in the
morning. It was a bright sunny day and the temperature during this period was around 29​o​C. The
humidity around Salaya during this hour was 64% humid and there was a mild wind coming
from the Northwest towards the MUIDS campus. To the North of the spillage site was the
grassfield which appears to have not be used by the campus yet. There was also a sewer system
constructed along the grassfield which will transporting waste out of the campus. There was the
tap water system near the spillage site as well; drawing waters for sprinkles of the field. The only
way to approach this spillage site was through the small road that connected with the parking lot
of the campus. There were two entrances to this area; the primary entrance and the secondary
entrance. Entering the primary entrance on the North of the campus and head right along the
parking lot, straightforward to discover the site. Secondary entrance was to the West of the
MUIDS. Approaching this entrance will have to pass through the MU dormitory in order to enter
and vehicles will not be able to enter this; Only people and motorists are much preferable to
enter this entrance.
 2. Properties of Chemicals

Toluene (methylbenzene)
- Less dense than water (float on water)
- Slightly soluble in water
- Toxic by: inhalation, ingestion and skin contact
- Highly flammable
- Volatile at room temp
- Toluene vapor is heavier than air; accumulate in low lying area

Polyurethane Coating
- Contains volatile organic compounds-dangerous to human
- Toxin:
- Breathing problem → asthma, shortness of breath
- Eye and throat irritation
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Coughing
- Flammable
- Irritant
- Oil-based product → insoluble with
water

Tetrachloroethylene
- Slightly soluble in water
 - Decomposes in water, with heating and Ultraviolet light to form acids (hydrogen
Chloride)
- Incompatible with chemically metals and strong oxidizers
- Toxicities:
- Carcinogen in humans
- Irritate the eyes, nose, throat and skins
- Damage reproductive system
- Damage developing fetus
- Cause headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and passing out

Sodium borohydride and sodium hydroxide solution

- If it become ​strongly basic solution, it will stabilized against reaction with water
- Odorless colorless liquid
- Highly Flammable with hydrogen
- Revelation to water and atmosphere
Goals
- Rescue the victim and carry him out of the site safely
- Safe students, personnels and properties
- Chemicals do not get into the sewage system
- Chemicals do not affect the outsider or the people nearby the area
- No chemicals are left over in the site after the cleaning
- All chemicals are disposed properly
- Students and personnels are able to get back to study and work at the MUIDS campus

Equipments
- Sandbags
- Pig mats
- Absorbent socks
- Traffic cones
- Yellow tape
- Stretcher

Clothings (PPE Level C)

- Inner and outer chemical-resistant Gloves
- Chemical-resistant boots
- Hard hats
- Full-face air purifying respirators
- Escape masks
Solution: Response and Procedures
1. Evacuate all students and personnels out of MUIDS because the wind direction is
directed toward the MUIDS, therefore, the chemical vapor will also be blown into the
buildings too.
2. Send two rescuers, wearing the hazmat suit level C, to rescue the victim. The hazmat suit
level C includes chemical-resistant boots, hard hats, full-face air purifying respirator,
escape masks and two layers of ​chemical-resistant ​gloves. As the rescuers arrived, the
escape mask is given to the victim. Then, his body is immediately carried out of the area
using the stretcher as a carrier. The victim should be sent quickly to see the medical
assistant.
3. Stop the chemical from further leak by closing the holes on every barrel.
4. Control the area by placing traffic cones or yellow tape around the hazmat scene, and
close the entrances, so that there won’t be any people going nearby or into the area.
5. Eliminate ignition sources e.g. heat, sparks, electricity, and open flame to prevent
flammable chemicals to catch on fire.
6. Close all the water valves to prevent the reaction between water and chemical spillages.
7. Block the chemical from going into the sewage system by placing sandbags, ​absorbent
sock, and ​pig mats around the spillages to absorb the chemicals and avoid them to further
flow out of the area.
8. After all the chemicals are absorbed in the pig mats and sandbags, take those hazardous
chemical to the dumpsite and let the dumpsite personnel eliminate those hazardous
chemicals. Ensure that there should be someone watch over the eliminating process of the
chemical to prevent any unnecessary damage in other areas.
9. The rescuers call the department of environmental protection to check and ensure that the
site has been properly clean up and that no chemical are being left over.
10. After verification, all students and personnels are allow to get back to the MUIDS
campus.

Conclusion
In conclusion, to accomplish our main goals, which are to save people, properties, the
MUIDS campus, and to remove the spillage of chemicals in the school area, we basically need to
move people out of the buildings, so that there are no more victims being knocked down by the
toxic vapors. Then, the next step is to block and absorb the leaked chemicals on the ground. We
also need to control all the sources that may cause flames and reactions. After all the wastes are
disposed and the area is cleaned up, school is now able to get back to its normal condition.
References
- Engineering ToolBox. (2018). Toluene - Thermophysical Properties. Retrieved from:
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/toluene-methylbenzene-properties-d_2095.html
- OSH Answers Fact Sheets. (2017, November 3). Toluene. Retrieved from:
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/toluene.html
- Hybrid coating technologies. (2017, November 21). Articles/ Dangers of Isocyanates.
Retrieved from:
http://www.hybridcoatingtech.com/The-Truth-About-Polyurethane-Foam-Toxicity.html
- Arnold, J. (n.d.). Is Polyurethane Coating on Wood Floors Toxic?. Retrieved from:
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/polyurethane-coating-wood-floors-toxic-88120.html
- Material safety data sheet Polyurethane conformal coating. (2010, November). Retrieved
from: ​http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1526118.pdf
- CAMEO Chemicals. (n.d.). Sodium hydroxide-sodium borohydride solution. Retrieved
from: ​https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/778
- Sodium Borohydride, [3H]. (n.d.). Retrieved from:
http://www.perkinelmer.de/Content/TDLotSheet/NET023H_650749.pdf
- Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet. (2011, October). Retrieved from:
https://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/1810.pdf