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Appendix D - Training Program

Decontamination

Objectives/Samples of Behavior:

  1. Explain the purposes of decontamination

  2. Describe the prevention of contamination, decontamination methods, decontamination layouts, and emergency decontamination

A.  Definition - Removing (physical) or neutralizing (chemical) contaminants - personnel or equipment

B.  Why

  1. Protects workers & equipment

  2. Prevents contaminant spread on/off-site

  3. Prevents mixing of incompatible chemicals

  4. Maintains sample integrity

  5. Allows re-use of PPE & equipment

C.  Decon Plan (part of health/safety plan)

Determines / establishes

  1. Number / layout of decon stations

  2. Decon equipment needed

  3. Proper decon methods

  4. Procedures to prevent spread to clean areas

  5. Prevention of worker contact during PPE removal

  6. Disposal of contaminated PPE & equipment

D.  Contamination Prevention

  1. Minimize contact through work practices

  1. Don't walk through obvious contamination

  2. Use remote sampling, handling, opening, viewing

  3. Bags on monitoring & sampling equipment

  4. Use disposable garments & equipment

  5. Isolate & mark contaminant sources

  1. Emphasize proper dressing

  2. Inspect PPE prior to use

E.  Methods - Physical

  1. Loose -water rinse

  2. Adhering:

  1. Brushing or dry wiping (particles) - don't stir up

  2. Vacuuming - wet media vacs w/ high efficiency filters - dusts

  3. Scraping - sticky stuff

  4. Use disposable PPE / equipment 

  1. Volatile liquids - evaporation & rinsing

F.  Methods - Chemical

  1. Dissolve contaminants - alcohols, ethers

  1. May deteriorate PPE

  2. May be incompatible with contaminant(s)

  1. Surfactants / detergents most common

  2. Solidification

  3. Rinsing

  4. Disinfection

G.  Decon layout

  1. Determined by:

  1. Extent & nature of contamination

  2. Chemical, physical, toxicological properties

  3. Pathogenicity

  4. Amount, location, containment

  5. Potential for exposure

  6. Potential degradation of PPE

  7. Personnel & equipment movement

  1. Special considerations

  1. Medical emergencies - abbreviated or no decon

  2. Decon personnel dressed like site workers or one level below - depends on decon line job

Recommended layouts:

Equipment/Procedures for Minimum Decon for Levels A, B & C

Station 1 - equipment drop

  1. Various size containers

  2. Plastic liners

  3. Plastic drop cloths

  1. Deposit equipment used on-site (tools, sampling devices & containers, monitoring instruments, radios, clipboards, etc) on plastic drop cloths.  Segregation at the drop reduces the possibility of cross contamination.  During hot weather cool own stations may be set up within this area.

Station 2 - outer garment, boots, & gloves wash/rinse

  1. Containers (20-30 gallon)

  2. Decon solution

  3. Rinse water

  4. 2-3 long-handled, soft-bristle scrub brushes

  1. Scrub outer boots, outer gloves, & suit with decon solution or detergent & water.  Rinse off with water.

Station 3 - outer boot & glove removal

  1. Containers (20-30 gallon)

  2. Plastic liners

  3. Benches or stools

  1. Remove outer boots & gloves.  Deposit in container with plastic liner.

Station 4 - tank change

  1. Air tanks or masks & cartridges

  2. Tape

  3. Boot covers

  4. Gloves

  1. If worker leaves exclusion zone to change tank, this is the last step in the decon procedure.  Worker's tank is exchanged, new outer gloves & boot covers donned, joints taped, & worker returns to duty.

Station 5 - boot, gloves, & outer garment removal

  1. Containers (20-30 gallon)

  2. Plastic liners

  3. Benches or stools

  1. Boots fully-encapsulating suit, inner gloves removed & deposited in separate containers lined with plastic.

Station 6 -SCBA removal

  1. Plastic sheets

  2. Bucket

  3. Decon solution (for SCBAs)

  4. Brushes

  1. SCBA backpack & facepiece is removed (avoid touching face with fingers).  SCBA deposited on plastic sheets.

Station 7 -field wash

  1. Water

  2. Soap

  3. Tables

  4. Wash basin

  1. Hands & face are thoroughly washed.  Shower as soon as possible.