in the Chemical f aboratory
...a
Edlfed by N O R M A N V. STEERE, 1 4 0 Melbourne Ave., S.E. Minneapolis, Minn. 554 14
feature
-Announcement Research and Developmenl Symposium
LXXI. RSMA Commodity Safety System Roilwov Svstems ond Monoqemenf Associofion, 18 1 Eost Lake Shore Drive, chi&o, 111. 6061 1
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Feb. 1 and 2. 1971 SCIENCE CENTER, SEATTLE, W A S N l N t T O N Design for Safety
INTRODUCTION This article describes a comprehensive program developed by RSMA designed to mitigate accidents involving the trensportation of haamdons materials, espe cially chemicals. The problem of transportation safety has been brought to the attention of the public so repetitiously during the past several years that they seem almost to have lost the ability to respond to the stimdus. In fact, the economy, and the public which it represents, is in the position of the little boy who asked Santa Clnus for a volosno-and got it; the volcano in this case being the millions of tons of hazardous materials moving daily throughout the entire transportation matrix. Since it is patently impossible to remove these from the transportation system without making a shambles of our economy-and our standard of livingthe alternative is to find a new formula. for relating man to this environment. The essence of the transportation safety problem contains four interconnected threads: The separate modes' physical plant; preventive measures; procedures when accidents do occur; and the individual's freedom of choice in the absence of definitive information. Theae threads heve a. cumulative effect. A problem in one area renders it more difficult to solve the problems in any other area. To focus, say upon preventive measures, fosters a dangerous sort of tunnel vision. Appeals to conscience have little prospect of success. Legislation, unless aewmpsnied by an inordinate amount of msnpower-which in itself would create a tremendous information problem-would be less than effective. The only hopeful prospect is to create a framework of information which would encompass the entire transportation safety environment. This would define and control the community of interests, and relate them to national goals. The Commodity Safety System consists of five elements: 1. Chemioal Tians~ortation Safetv Index 2. Handling Guide far Potentially Hazardous Commodities 3. Chemical Transportation Safety Charts 4. Transportation Safety Education 5. Transportation Safety Information Retrieval
1. CHEMICAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY INDEX This is a ready-reference slide rule type puhlicrttian designed to promote uniformities and to minimize the danger to life and property incident to the transportstion of dangerous materials. Attention, direction, and care are indicated an the Index for the inherent RISK in the materid; protection of LIFE; from FIRE; and to the AREA. Over 200 chemiealsselected from the Manufacturing Chemists' Association, National Fire Protection Association, and American Mutual Insurance Alliance lists, and representing the most hazardous and largest volume, are listed. Ehch chemical is referenced under nine factors, as follows: RISK 1-Classification 2-Degree of 3-Precmtions LIFE 4--Hazard to 5-First Aid FIRE 6-Danger 7-Control AREA Batability 9 4 l e a n Up The Index is designed primarily for the man-on-thescene. I t will tell him on a "first-aid" basis only, what actions to take. More importantly, it can tell him what not to do; for example, not to use water to fight a fire when water would only increase the danger. I t will mitigate precipitous actions at the scene of the accident and provide time for recourse to an authoritative information source such as the "Handling Guide for Potentially Hazardous Commodities." The chemicals appear on the Index slphsbetically with a four-digit systematic code number next to each enbry. Thie code number, developed especially for the Commodity Safety System, eliminates the confusion caused by any chemical with several names, particularly where it appears under a name differing from the one in the Tariff. The instruotion booklet accompanying the Index has a Chemioal Synonym Dire* tory containing variant names of the chemicals on the Index, along with t,he code number of t,he basic chemical each one represents. Since the codes are in numerical order on the Index, it is a.
3:304:00
Safety-The Problem Building Design for Safety Discussion Lunch Chemical Laboratory Facilities Hazards Controls-Ventilation Waste Disposal Chemical Storage Microbiological, , Laboratory Faallties Hazards Controls Waste Disposal 1)iscussion
Feb. 2
8: 30-9: 30
Ionizing Radiation Facilities Hazards Controls Waste Disposal Nan-Ionizing Radidisi tion Faeilit,ies Controls Clean Hoom and Benches Desian Criteria Testkg Maintenance Discussion Lunch Emergency Planning Protection and Staff Education Discussion
This symposium is being jointly sponsored by the Research and Development Section of the National Safety Council and the local chapter of the American Societ,y of Safety Engineers. Persons interested in attending should contact; Mr. Lance J. Goeke, Hygiene and Safety Engineering, The Boeing Company Commercial Airplane Group, Mail Stop 6A-65 Seattle, Washington 98124 Telephone 206773-2182. simple matter to locate safety information, using the direotory and the code number, even if the names used on a chemicd is an alternative one. Although developed primarily for volume movements of chemicals, such as by railroad, the Index can he used with equal effectiveness by all modes of transportation, local fire departments, and public safety agencies. Excerpts fmm the Index and the instruction booklet follow. (Continued a page A M )
Volume 48, Number 1 , Jonuory 1971
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How to Use the Chemical Transport Safety Index Move the slider until the arrow aligns with the chemical in question-for example, Calcium Hypochlorite. Certain letters snd numbers now show through the clear window under four categories in nine columns. Each column is explained by a similarly numbered section on the slider1 througb 3 on the front, 4 through 9 on the back. The Sbfet,y Index coordinates the nine columns of information within the following four categories: R I S K S p e l l s out in 3 important ways the inherent risk in each hasasdous chemical. LIFE-Two calnmns describe the threat to life and indicate the first-aid treatment far each chemical. FIRE-The danger of a materisl burning and how to control it are given in two columns. AREA-In serving man, transportation most move through his environment. Two vital areas of information deal with dangers to both man and the environment. Using the illustration (pee page 8), let's examine each of the nine cohmns on the safety index: 1. CLASSIFICATION-RISK Classifies by type and gives the Department of Transportation label requirement for each chemical, such a? "0.1\1.," which indicates Calcium Hypochlorite is an "Oxidizing material" and requires s. "Yellow" label for shipment. Also includes many hazardous chemicals freqnently transported hut not listed in D.O.T. Regulations. This is indicated by a dagger (t) in column 1. Label reqnired if not exempt,.* F.L. (RED) Flammable liquid F.G. (RED-GAS) Flamml~hle compressed gas F.S. (YELLOW) Flammable solid O.M. (YELLOW) Oxidizing- material Corrosive liquid C.L. (WHITE) Non-flammable N.G. (GREEN) compressed gas (POISON-GAS) Paisongssor liqP.A. oid-Class A Poison liquid or P.B. (POISON) solid-ClassB Not listed in T T. C. George's Tariff
* T. C. George's Tariff-Interstate Commerce Commission Regulrttians. 2. DEGREE OF-RISK "Danger," "Warning," or "Caution" is the signal word used to denote the degree of severity of fire and health hazards. Following this are numbers specifying the types of risk, in order of importance. For A26
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Journal of Chemical Education
Calcium Hypochlorite, the "W-2,3" indicates that the chemical presents s. "moderate, intermediate, harmful" degree of risk; the "2" means that it is a n "Oxidizing material-Can increase ignition risk of other materials"; the "3" means that i t is a. "Toxio material-Can injure through breathing or touching!' The order indicates that the oxidizing hazard is considered more severe than the toxicity risk. (In this and all other columns where multiple entries are made, they are listed in order of importance.) Severity of risk from exposure to material as normally shipped. Mixing upon spillage and local oonditions may alter this rating. D
DANGER
Serious, severe, extremely hasardous W WARNING Moderate, intermediate. harmful miniC CAUTION Minor, mum, irritating Combine degree of severity (D W C) with specific risk (1 2 3 4) below. 1. Flammable material 2. Oxidizingmaterial Can incresse ignition risk of other mate rials. 3. Toxic material Can injure through hreathing or touching. 4. Non-toxic material But displaces oxygen for breathing.
1. Exposure irritates, but only minor
residual injury, even if not treated. 2. Intense or prolonged exposure could
incapacitate, unless promptly treated. 3. Short exposure could seriously injure, even if promptly treated. 4. Brief exposure could oaose death or permanent injury, even if treated promptly. -Information not available. 5. FIRST-AID-LIFE Gives basic steps for first-aid treatment of chemical burns, poisonings or inhalations. The first-aid for our example is "C," "Immediately flush skin with plenty of water. Flush eyes with water for a t least 15 minutes. Get prompt medical attention." First-aid instructions in case of contact or exposure. It is highly desirable far a physician to spell out, and workers to be trained in, special firseaid procedures. A. Carry victim to fresh air. Have him lie down. Remove contaminated clothing, hut keep him warm. Start first-aid procedures. Cell physician. B. Immediately remove contaminated clothing, including shoes. Washskin wit,h plenty of water. Flush eyes with water for a t least 15 minutes. Get prompt medical attention, Wash clothing, air shoes thorouehlv - . before reuse. C. Immediately flush skin with plenty of water. Flush eves with water for at least 15 minutes. Get prompt medical attention. - Information not available. ~
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6. DANGER-FIRE
3. PRECAUTIONS-RISK Lists major precautions to minimize the hazards involved in transporting and handling chemicals, particularly in event of accident. For Calcium Hypochlorite, the "4" means "Avoid contact with acids, moisture, combustible," and the "2" means "Avoid contacting skin, eyes, clothing" with the chemical. Again the first-named precaution is the most prominent. To minimize hazards, take precaution indicated. 1. Keep away from heat, sparks, open
flsmes. 2. Avoid contacting skin, eyes, clothing. 3. Avoid breathing dust, fumes, mists,
gases, vapors. 4. Avoid contact with acids, moisture, combustibles. 5. Minimize handling until safety precautions are completely understood. HAZARD TO-LIFE Describes the types of injuries caused by the chemical beyond fire or explosion, covering hazards from skin contact, absorption, breathing or swallowing. The "2" for Calcium Hypoohlorite tells us that "Intense or prolonged exposure could incapacitate, unless p.r o m.~ t.l y treated!' Type of possible injury from material beyond heat of fire or foreeof explosion. 4.
0. On exposure to fire is no mare hszard-
ous than an ordinary combustible.
Indicates the material's susceptibility to burning, and the degree of fire hazard from t,he chemical. The "1" far Calcium Hypochlorite means it "Must be preheated before ignition can occur." Conditions under which materials might ignite. 0. Will not hurn. 1. Must be prehertkd before ignition can
occur. 2. With moderate heat or relatively hightemPerat,llre exposure ignition Can -
occur. 3. Can be ignited a t almost all temperatllres. 4. At normal temperatures and pressures will rapidly vaporize and hurn easily. - Information not available.
7. CONTROGFIRE Tells which msjjor fire-extinguishing agent to use, or just as importantly, warns against using the improper agent. For Calcium Hypochlorite, the "A" directs the firefighter to "Use water, blanket area." Wherever pm~ible, water has been chosen as the firefighting vehicle because i t is widely avhiiahle in large quantities, an important factor in fires involving large tonnages. I n some cases, improper use of hose streams may he ineffective or even spread the fire. Where there is parlicularly acute, "B," meaning "Use 'alcohol' foam, water may be ineffective or increase danger," or "C," (Cati+med on page A S S )
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meaning "Water or foam may cause frothing, is used to advise caution and skill in application." "D," in stating "Do not use water or foam," lets the firefighter know that this chemicd fire requires special procedures and insures agsinst the use of water or foam where this is likely to cause violent reactions. Although "E," "Stop flow of gas" may be impossible in some accidents, it points out that it may be dangerous to put out t,he fire without stopping the gas flow, as explosive mixtures may form in air. I n many of these eases it is best to let the fire consume the escaping gases, while keeping adjacent materials cool with water spray. Thus while it can be seen that many factors must be considered in the total fire-fighting picture, these instructions are designed to mitigate against unsafe actions in t,he first moments of s. crisis, until qualified direction can be obtained. The amount, rate and method of using the Fire Extinguishing Agent in relation to the sise and type of fire must be carefolly considered. A. U-e wwater, blanket area.
B. Use "alcohol" foam, water may be ineffective or increase danger. C. Water or foam may cause frothing.
8. STABILITY-AREA Denotes conditions that might cause the chemical to react dangerously or explode, either spontaneonsly or if contacted by water. The rating of "2" for Calcium Ilypachlorit,e tells the user that it is "Normally unstable, may form potentially explosive mixtrlres wit.h wster, or wat,er reacts producing violent chemical c h a n g e n o t detonation." Among other things, this alerts the fire-fighter, who has been advised to use water, t,hat although t,his is the mast preferred method of putt,ing out t,he fire, i l present,s hazards that should he inken into account before he applies the water. Reacbion with water. Does not include reaction wit,h other materials. Normally stable, oven under exposure to fire. 1. Normally stable, except a t elevated tumperi~turesnnd pressures. May react wit,h water, not violently, with some energy release. 2. Normally unstable, may form potentially explosive m i x t ~ ~ r e swith w s t e ~ ;or water reacts producing violont chemical change not detonstion. 3. Can detonabe or explode under strong initiating source, or after cont,acting water and heating under confinement. 4. Readily detonates or explodes a t m r m d temperatnres and pressures. - Infmmnbion notavailxblo. 0.
O . CLEAN-UP-AREA Gives data on the toxicity or corrorivenew of materials to be considered in the
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clean-up and disposal after an accident. An "X" appears in this column for Calcium Hypochlorite, warning t h a t i t is "Corrosive--Damage to hody tissue is determined b y concentrrttion a t point of contact-not by dose." Toxicity of materials to be considered for clean-up and disposal. Index Amount to produce death when swallowed by an average (150-lb.) man.
One of t,he quandaries io chemical ssnfety in t,he past has been picking which name from a proliferation of synonyms to use in identifying eaeh chemical. Realioing t h a t this Safety Index also would be u e d outside the transportation industry, names generally were chosen on the basis of broadest chemicsl ussge. Nonetheless t.here will be times when someone needs to use t,he Safety Index for 8. chemical that is identified by a synonym not on l.he index itself. To fecilitate this without, cluttering up the index, a special 4-digit, code has been developed for t,he Commodity Safety System. Appearing next. to each chemical name on the index, bhe code number references the name on the index with synonym8 in the Chemical Synonym Directory included with these instructions.
Guides (a directory for transportation companies' control centers), Safety Charts (a. series for on-train reference, and another series far ofiees), Education Programs (for the public, public safety and transportation crews), Safety Index and Manual ((the basic "pocket" references), and an Information Retrieval Network (which will bring needed specific information within moments to the public, technicians, and profes~ionals). The Safety Index provides easily understood and coordinated information to alert individuals to the dangers of specific chemicals, their lhreats to life and haw to handle these in a n emergency, and the hazard presented by these chemicals to the envimnment. I t is simple to use; no technical knowledge is needed. The user simply moves the sliding index to t,he name of the ehemical involved to find information in the nine most vital areas about m y of the listed chemicals. To illustrate, let's suppose a shipment of Carbolic Adid isinvolved in an accident. I n checking the names on the Safety Index, it is not found; but, looking in the Chemical Synonym Divectory, it. is crossxferenced to the code number 6450. Going back t o the Safet,y Index and scanning down the list of code numbers (whieh are in n u m e ~ k n lorder), G850 is found W e d as "Phenol," and t,he needed safety data is rapidly ohtained. Beyond this vital rise, this m i q n e coding system was created to be used with futnre elements of the Commodit,y Safety System. As such it wm designed to encompass a family of up to 10,000 of t,he most essential chemicals, significant, rral only to the economy, but to ecology and safel,y as well. Thus the Commodily Safety System, with its numerical code, has b r d t into it n planned expansion lo insure it,s up-to-date utility and service to cornrn~ditysafet~y.
Introduction to the lndex,Manual
Chemical Synonym Directory
Nontoxic Practically non-toxic-Takes more than one qt. (2-lbs.) Slightly toxic-1 pint to 1quart Moderately toxic-1 ounce to 1pint Yew toxic-1 tesspaonful to 1ounce Extremely toxic-7 drops to 1 tea~poonful Super toxic-A taste to 7 drops Corrosive-Damage to hody t,issue is determined by concentration st point of contact-not by dose. Information not available.
Numerical Code System
All chemicals can be safely transported and handled if necessary prerantions and eont,rol measures are observed. However, in the event of a n acoident, hnaardoos chemicals present a pnrtienla~.ly dnngerous situation, aft,en ~ q u i r i n g rapid, critical handling by personnel not, awnre of the specific hazards and methods of handling the chemicals involved. Akhough there is extensive literatnre on the hazards of chemicals, it is nidely sct~tt,eredand generally not on hand a t an accident. Deepeuing the severily of t h k information and communication problem is the fact that actions taken in the first, few minutes of an emergency can spell the difference between disaster and orderly return to normal operations. Faced with thir problem and the desire to provide a quick, concise and aecnrate guide to the hmdlinn of over 200 eommonlv trsns-
This alphabetical dilmtory covers the 203 chemicals listed on the Safety Index and their synonyms. The 203 basic ehemicsl names appeal. i l l bold capital; the synonyms, in lowel. case. All are cross-referencod to tho &digit code nnmbers that appear "on the slide porlion of the Chemical Trmspart.ation Safety Index, next to eaeh chemical name. An innovation in this Synonym 1Xrecto1.y is the addition of small dots to break long, c m fusing chemical names down into simpler compouents, whieh arc enriel. to comprehend and lo pronounce. This no1 only hclpseliminate misunderstandings and misinformat,ion in emergencies, but demonst,rntes to any user how even complex chemicals and their names are h i l t up from simple, bnsir componenls. The term "(sic)" appears after words rhat have been used ss synonyms far a ehemical bnL that are teehnie;tlly imccurate or misleading. An example is "1)iethylene Oxide (sic)," listed under the number 3584 as .z synonym fm Ilioxane. as the "firsbaid" step in it,s comprehew Although Iliothylenc Oxide is sometimes sive COMMOIIITY SAFETY SYSTEM. The scone of the Commodit,~S a f e t , ~ used loosely to refer t,o llioxane, it mare System covers the eutire tra~,sporlation- properly describes nnot,hcr compound on communication relatiomhio. In continthe Safety Index, Tetra Ilydroforan uous process of development, the system is (8344). engineering and designing Handling (Continued on page A.30)
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Nombers 1-5, prefixed letters a-, P-, n-, o-, p, S- and prefixes asym-, sym-, cis- and iso- are not used to alphabetize synonyms. When looking up a synonym prefixed by one of these, look under the root ward; ois-Butenedioc Anhydride is found after Butanone-2, not after Cinnamol.
REFERENCES The following me the major sources for the data. condensed in the 9 columns on the Safety Index and for the names in the Chemical Synonym Directory: AIBAXCAN MUTOAL INSURANCEALLIANCE. "Handbook of Oreanic Industrial Solvents," third edition, Chicazo, Ill.. 1966. BROWXINO.ETXYS, "Toxieity 01 I n d u ~ t r i a l Metals," Butterwortlis, London. England, 1961. DEICEMAN, WILLIAM B.. A N Y GERARDB, HOILICE W., "Symptomology and T h e r s w oi Toxieological Smergeneies," Academia Press, N e v York, N. Y.,1964. Dnersnncn, ROBERTB.. "Handbook of Poisoning,'' ~ a n g e~ e d i o a lPubliestiona, sixth edition. Los Altos. Calif., 1969. G m n a e , T. C.. "Apent T. C. George's TariE Number 23, Hazardous Materials Regulhtians ~i the Department of Transportation," Aeent T. C. George, NewYork, N.Y., 1969. GLEASON.M. N.. GOBBELIN.R. E., HODQE, EI. C., A N D Sam", R. P.. "Clinical Toxioologv of Commeroisl Products," Williams and Wilkina, third edition, Baltimore. Md.. 1969. HATES,WAILANDJ., JR.. "Clinical Handbook on Eoonornio Poisons," Government Printing Office, Washinston. D.C..reu. 1963. H ~ z ~ n n o uM s m ~ n ~ zREOULATION s BOARD, "Code of Federal Regulatione (49 Tranaporta-
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tion." Department of Trsnsportation, Washington. D. C.. 1970. L * N ~ E .N O X ~ E BA,, T "Handhook of Chemistry," Handbook Publishers. h a . . tenth edition, Shndusky, Ohio. rev. 1967. Mmur*c.runrao C~eM1al.s Asaocm~~olr. "Chemical Safety Data Sheets:' Washington. D. C.. "ariousdates.
.""".
MCELROI, FRANK E., editor. "Accident Prvention Manuhl for Industrial Operstions," National Safety Counoil, sixth edition, Chiosgo, Ill.. 1969. MOESCHLIN,SVEN. "Poisoning Diagnosis and Treatment." Grune & Stratton. New York. N.Y., 19&. N*T,ON*L A c * n ~ l a r or S o r e a c ~ s ."Evslustlon oi the Hazard of Bulk Water Transportation of Industrial Chemicals," Wsrhinpton, D. C.. 1970. NATIONAL F ~ R PROTECTION E ABBOCLATION, "Fire Proteotion Guide on Harardous Materials." third edition. Boston, Mass., 1969. NATIONAL SAFETYCOUNCLL, "Chemicd Seiety SlidcRule," Chieapo, Ill.. 1967. Ronmn~a.J o m D.,AND C ~ m m o M . A l u o m ~C., "Modern Organic Chemistry." W. A. Benjsmin Company, New York. N. Y., 1967. S ~ r c r o n ,WILLIAMS., "Handbook of Toxieology. volume I , Acute Toxicities:' Philadelphia, Pa.. W. n. Saunders. 1956. STECHER, PAULG.. editor. "The Merok Inder," eiehth edition. Merek and Company, Rahrvay, N: J., 1968. T x r e n ~ s ,CLINTON11.. &ND HALET. THOMAB J.. "Cliniosl Toxiooloey." fourth edition, Lea and Febigez. Philsdelpi~ia,Pa., 1964.
personnel of dangers and to spell out s p e cia1 handling required for sale trilnsport of these articles. Formerly the definitions and descriptions of these placards were found primarily in tariffs not available to many who should know what the placarding represents. In order to inorease the familiarity of railway personnel, firefighters and others with these placards, they have been reproduced here in full color, along with brief descriptions of their application. In many cases, the placards are required because of the type of package label on the car contents. For require ments and descriptions of the various label typw referred to in this suction, see page 15. DANGEROUS PLACARI)
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HANDLE CAREFULLY
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Rail Placards Placards are required on cars or tank cars containing certain classes of haaardous meterials. Their purpose is to alert
Required on cars and container cars with any of the following contents:
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--one or more packages with a red, yellow, white acid or corrosive liquid oaution, white poison or Class B Explosives label. Also applies to cars containing these hazardous m a t s rials when exempted from labeling because the consignee will unload the lading. -bulk shi~ments of Bsmmahle solids. oxidizing materials or Cl- B poisonous solids. -tank cars with flammable liquids, flammable solids, oxidizing materials, soids or corrosive liquids, Class B poisonous liquids or solids and flammable or nonflammable compressed
The illustration below is sn enlarged view of the data read-aut portion of the Chemical Transportation Safety Index. The actual dimensions of the entire Safety Index are 11"X 4'/6".
gases.
When Class A exnlosives are shiooed required. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS LABELS The labeling requirements for packages containing hazardous materials, as with the rail placarding requirements, is not known ss broadly as desirable. And here we am not just talking about rail traffic, hut also of truck, water and air shipments as well. To bridge this information gap, this section contains full color reduced illustrations of all the labels required by Department of Transport* tion regulations. These are the same label requirements given in Column 1 of the Safety Index. The full sine of all these labels is 4 in. square, except as noted.
Truck Placards
1
1wr.
-
pizq
.,
*n,...~.IC*" CI." A ."d 8 cambi"od, c.
A
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c
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ORDERING INFORMATION Readers interested in obtaining copies of the "Chemioal Trmsportation Safety Index" should contact the Railway Systems and Management Association, 163 E. Walton St., Chicago, Ill. 60611. The "Chemical Transportation Safety Index" consists of the Index and a.48-page Manual listing over 1000 chemical syn(Continued a page A S S )
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onyms which are keyed to the Index proper. The Manual also eant,ains mnlt,icolor illustrations of rail placards, truck hnsnrdons cargo signs, and hazardous materials labels. An imprinted vinyl folder i~ provided to hold both the Index and the Manual. The "Chemical Transportation Safety Index" is available as fallows: A. With Company Imp~.int: RSMA will customize the Index by imprinting your company name or logo in yow choice of color. The customized Index is priced a t $2.25 each in lobs of 500 or more. Minimum order ii 500 writs plus delivery charges. Price includes printing of your company logo and/or name on both Index and vinyl folder. Delivery will be within 3 to 4 w e e h after receipt of your copy and imprinting instnlctions. B. Standard: The Index is available without a company name or logo. Dclivery is from stock. The price schedule for this Index is as follows: 1 4 9 copies a t $3.50 each, plus postage 50-99 copies s t $3.25 eaoh, plus postage 100-199 copies st $3.00 each, plus postage 200-290 copies at $2.75 each, plns postage 300-399 copies a t $2.50 each, p spost- h~age 400 or more copies a t $2.25 each, plus postage
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2. HANDLING GUIDE FOR POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS COMMODITIES This manual will he x complete script of the procedures to be followed from the time a carrier's control center receives word of an accident through clean-up of the area. Each of the 400-plus chemicals on the MCA list will have its own page, detailing the actions necessary for the protection of life and property. The manual will be written for the layman, and will include an up-dating service. In a. sense, the manual picks up where t,he Chemical Transportation Safety Index stops. The msnusl will he a loose-leaf hinder, containing thefollowingseetions:
rials, by chemical common and trade name. This will take the user directly to the reference sheet in Section 11. 11-Individual Chemical Data Form3 Each form will contain: A-Identifieation: CodeNumher Priority Risk Rating Chemical Name Synonyms B--Classification C-Severity of Risk D-Emergency Measures E-Life Hazards F-First-Aid
G-Suggestions to Physicians H-Fire Hazard I-Fire Control J-Stability with Water & Other Substances K-Waste Disposal L--General Properties 111-Priority-Risk Work Sheet Since any one accident might involve one or more chemicals it is important to take setion whieh will not increase the hazard. Therefore, each chemical will be included in a ranking order of some 25 classes. This will enable the user of the manual t o establish a meaningful course when confronted with more than one chemical in a single accident. IV-Medical Supportive Procedures Because so few physicians have a technical knowledne of chemical accident treatment;this section will contain specific information which can be communicated to the physician a t the accident site. V-Emergency Equipment & Manpower Resources This section will contain the manual user's specific information about fire departments, law enforcement agencies, oommunications facilities, ete., local to his ares. of operation. VI-Public Relations As well as providing a framework for preparing a statement on a n accident, this section directs a person to specific paragraphs that will provide data far each part
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within this framework. VII-References Information regarding additional sources of data and support such as standard texts and organizations operating in a specialized field. VIII-Call Sheet This section will be completed by the user and will contairr the priority notifiention listing of names and telephone numbers generic to his operation. I t is not planned to distribnte the manrial as widely xr t,he Index because of its complexit,y, size, and commanding role. Instead, it wordd be confined to key people who would be concerned with the management of an accident. An average railroad, for example, would have no more t , h m 20 copies on its propert,y. On the other hand, the manual would be xn ideal tool far local public safety cent,ers fire deparlment central offices, eto.
3. CHEMICAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY CHARTS Information derived from the construction of the Index and the manual will he condensed onto two separate plnsticcoated charts. The first chart will contain the Index h,format,ion and is intended for mounting in tmck cabs, diesel engine cabs, cabooses, etc. The second chart will he m u c l ~larger and is intended for wall mounling in warehouses, shipping docks, railroad yard offices, etc. I t will conlaiu xn expanded version of the Index Informntiou, plus
4. TRANSPORTATION SAFETY EDUCATION This program will be a n adjunct to, or a n extension of, the safety education program developed by t,he l k p a r t m e u t of T r a m p o h t i o n . I t s primary emphrrsis will be upon the use of the tools described herein: The Index, manual, and charts. However, while t,he primary emphesiv will be upon the industrial side, the program will also focus upon t h e development of an informa1,ionprogram to enlighten the ge~mrslpublic; affecting education in the schools, public safety, health professionals, and tools for the homemaker.
5. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION RETRIEVAL The foregoing tools for transportation safety will of necessity he limited to specific audiences. However, there is a need for a. wider dissemination and ready accessibility of the information. This could be done only if the information and data. allied to it are put in a computer data hank. Such a bank, oentrally located, would he immediately accessible via the common carrier telephone and teletypewriter network. On a. going-in basis, the information (Continued on page A34) Volume 48, Number I , January 1971
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from the Index, manual, charts, and particularly the code system, would form the basic structure for the data. bank. This could be used by all transportation modes, shippers, and public agencies. Once such a hank is established, a number of other uses suggest themselves, among them: By quantifying the chemicals indexed in the bank, i t would be possible to maintain a. complete input-output analysis of this basic industry. This could he broken down b y industry and geographical area, to assist in the routing of chemical shipments, and for that matter, the location of chemical plants. Another use which suggests itself is in the area of pollution control. For example, the by-product waste of one plant could be channeled to another plant for incorporation into a finished product,, rather than disposal in underground storage or s. streambed, eta. Because the data bank will contain a fairly sophisticated resume of specific medical information regarding chemicals, it could very well serve as the basis for the beginning of a centralised first-aid source. The extreme shortage of doctors, coupled with the technological progress, would provide the medical profession with the opportunity to standardize on same of its pract,ices. The foregoing is merely a rapid look a t the sdvant,ages of a transportation safety data. bank. Without too much tronhle, i t is possible to expand this list
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Journal o f Chemical Education
considerably. However, given the information which we will obtain in putting together the tools, such a data. bank is not only feasible, hut extremely attractive in that far the first time i t would draw together fragmental segments of our economy. Some preliminary estimating has been done on the establishment of the data. bank. These conversations have established the validity and economic justification for some agency of the Government, such as the DOT, to begin serious consideration far implementation.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION CENTER The Manufacturing Chemists Association recently approved $110,000 toward the establishment of "Chemtrek," a transportation emergency information center. The center is to become operational early in 1971. I t will be manned 24 hours a day and have a central telephone number. When an mcident occurs involving a hazardous material, a call placed to Chemtrek will pmduee immediate information on what the imminent hazards of the material and the accident are, and what can be done to minimize any exkting danger. The center plans to advise shippers when cdl.lls are received so that manufacturers can provide additional advice and assistance.
Mifor's Noh
The Committee on Chemistry Laboratories of the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) is soliciting information pertaining to accidents. To furnish the necessary data, please submit your replies to the questions listed below. Mail your responses to the attention of Mr. H. F. Kempsell, Safety Consulting Engineer, Plant Operations Division, Esso Research & Eneineerine . Co... P.O. Box 51 Linden. K.J. 11711:
