decontamination should be performed promptly.
Protect feet from contact with chemical by using a
disposable boot/shoe cover made from appropriate
material.
Site Control
For management purposes, site control is divided
up into three sections.
Exclusion Zone (Hot Zone): The area where
the contamination has occurred. The outer
boundary of the exclusion zone should be
marked either by lines, placards, hazard tape
and/or signs, or enclosed by physical barriers.
Access control points should be established at
the periphery of the exclusion zone to regulate
the flow of personnel and equipment.
Remember also to remain upwind of the danger
area, and avoid low areas where toxic
gases/vapors may tend to settle.
Contamination-Reduction Zone (Warm
Zone): The transition area between the
contaminated area and the clean area. This zone
is designed to prevent the clean support zone
from becoming contaminated or affected by
other site hazards.
Decontamination of
personnel/equipment takes place in a designated
area within the contamination-reduction zone
called the “contamination-reduction corridor.”
Support Zone: The location of the
administrative and other support functions
needed to keep the operations in the exclusion
and contamination- reduction zones running
smoothly. The command post supervisor should
be present in the support zone. Personnel may
wear normal work clothes within this zone.
Figure 5-8 shows the three management sections
of a hazard zone.
RESCUE AND PATIENT CARE
PROCEDURES
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recall rescue,
p a t i e n t c a re , a n d d e c o n t a m i n a t i o n
p ro c e d u re s f o r p a t i e n t s e x p o s e d t o
hazardous material.
After a safety zone has been established—and
regardless of your level of training—you should
follow the procedures outlined below:
Help isolate the incident site and keep the area
clear of unauthorized and unprotected
personnel.
Establish and maintain communications with
your dispatcher.
Stay upwind and upgrade from the site, and
monitor wind and weather changes.
Don’t breathe any smoke, vapors, or fumes.
5-24
CONTAMINATION-REDUCTION ZONE
>> WARM ZONE <<
EXCLUSION ZONE
>> HOT ZONE <<
Victim(s)
COMMAND
CENTER
WIND
SUPPORT
ZONE
HM3f0508
Figure 5-8.—Hazard zone management sections
