Wash. Admin. Code § 296-305-08000 Appendices

• Library: Washington Administrative Code
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current through Register Vol. 23-24, December 15, 2023
• Citation: Wash. Admin. Code § 296-305-08000
• Year: 2023

These appendices are nonmandatory and are included for reference and information purposes only.

Appendix B-Nonmandatory: Life safety ropes.

(1) Life safety rope may be significantly weakened by abrasion, misuse, contamination, wear, and stresses approaching its breaking strength, particularly impact loading. Since there are no approved methods to service test a rope without compromising its strength, rope rescue and training operations should be carefully observed and monitored for conditions that could cause immediate failure or result in undetectable damage to the rope.

(2) If a rope has been used in a situation that could not be supervised or where potential damage may have occurred, it must be removed from service and destroyed.

(3) It is important that ropes be inspected for signs of wear by qualified individuals after each use. If indication of wear or damage are noted, or if the rope has been stressed in excess of the manufacturer's recommendation or impact loaded, it must be destroyed.

(4) The destruction of the rope means that it must be removed from service and altered in such a manner that it could not be mistakenly used as a life safety rope. This alteration could include disposing of the rope, or removal of identifying labels and attachments, and cutting the rope into short lengths that could be used for utility purposes.

(5) The assignment of "disposable" life safety ropes to members or to vehicles has proved to be an effective system to manage ropes that are provided for emergency use and are used infrequently. Special rescue teams, which train frequently and use large quantities of rope, should include members who are qualified to manage and evaluate the condition of their ropes and determine the limitations upon their reuse.

Appendix C-Nonmandatory: Decontamination.

(1) A decontamination area should be established whenever civilians or fire department personnel have had known or suspected exposure to toxic chemicals.

(2) Such decontamination areas should be established before any personnel are allowed to enter the "Hot" zone.

(3) The decontamination area should be set up using the following guidelines: (a) The decontamination area should be located uphill, upwind and at a right angle to the "Hot" zone. (b) The decontamination area entry/exit point and boundaries should be clearly marked using flagging tape, ropes, cones, etc.

(4) 4 to 6 mil poly sheeting should be spread on the ground in the decontamination area to control runoff.

(5) The decontamination process is divided into stations. In most cases it will not be necessary to utilize all the stations. The decision to use all or part of the stations should be based on the following factors: (a) The hazards associated with the product involved. (b) The estimated levels of contamination. (c) The type of protective equipment worn by contaminated responders. (d) Recommendations from outside sources such as, but not limited to CHEMTREC, the agency for toxic substance and disease registry, poison control centers or the manufacturer of the product.

(6) The following is a list of all the stations in a nine-step decontamination area set up for a worst case scenario involving a hazardous materials response team member whose chemical suit has been breached:

(a) Station #1 - Segregated equipment drop Contaminated equipment that will be used again in the "Hot" zone, disposed of or decontaminated at a later time or place, will be deposited here.

(b) Station #2 - Wash/rinse: Entry personnel will be washed with appropriate decontamination solution and rinsed with water by attendant(s) to remove gross contamination. This station may consist of multiple wash/rinse steps depending on the severity of the hazards involved.

(c) Station #3 - Outer protective clothing removal: Attendant(s) will remove the outer protective clothing from entry personnel being cautious to avoid touching the inside of the suit while removing it. Protective clothing that has been removed at this step must be placed in an overpack or other appropriate container for later testing and further decontamination, if needed.

(d) Station #4 - Removal of SCBA: The entry personnel are assisted in removing their SCBA by an attendant. The SCBA facepiece should be left in place and the low pressure hose held away from any potentially contaminated inner clothing.

(e) Station #5 - Removal of inner clothing All clothing worn inside the suit must be removed in cases where the suit has been penetrated and the entry personnel are contaminated.

(f) Station #6 - Personal shower: Entry personnel should wash and rinse entire body with mild soap and water. Contain runoff water if possible, however this is an emergency situation and containment is secondary to removing contaminants from personnel.

(g) Station #7 - Drying off: Entry personnel that have showered should dry off using towels or whatever is available. Items used should be placed in an appropriate container for disposal. Emergency clothing such as disposable coveralls should be provided.

(h) Station #8 - Medical evaluation: Entry personnel should be evaluated by paramedics - checking vital signs including temperature and level of consciousness. Records of the evaluation must be kept and given to the team safety officer to be included in the members exposure records.

(i) Station #9 - Transport...