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Control measure

Absorption

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Control measure knowledge

Strategic actions

Fire and rescue services should:

Identify arrangements for the disposal of contaminated absorbents where the responsibility for waste disposal cannot be identified
Refer to control measure actions for disposal of contaminated firewater run off under fire water run-off

Tactical actions

Incident commanders should:

Consider the appropriate type of absorbent to be used for the pollutants
Consider the benefits of using absorbents against the cost of disposal
Consider how contaminated absorbent materials will be disposed of in consultation with the relevant environment agency and responsible persons based on the "polluter pays” principle.
Consider identifying who is responsible for the disposal. See Disposal section in Fire water run-off

TRAINING SPECIFICATION

Knowledge and understanding

Control measure element

Learning outcome

Absorption/Adsorption

Understand:

Which materials are suitable for use as sorbent materials
The use of appropriate sorbent materials to contain spillages
How to safely and responsibly dispose of absorbent materials

NOS knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:
Health and safety 2976
K Safe working practices of your organisation K Hazards and risks relating to hazardous materials and decontamination affecting people and the environment K How to use risk assessment information to make decisions K How to apply decisions based on the assessment of risk K Your organisation's control measures to mitigate risk K Guidelines, legislation and standard operating procedures that apply when dealing with hazardous materials and decontamination K The importance of limiting damage to property and the environment K How to limit damage to property and the environment K How to apply methods and techniques for controlling and containing hazardous materials K How to apply methods and techniques for decontamination including avoiding further contamination
Health and safety
K 1 Safe working practices of your organisation K 2 Hazards and risks relating to hazardous materials and decontamination affecting people and the environment K 3 How to use risk assessment information to make decisions K 4 How to apply decisions based on the assessment of risk K 5 Your organisation's control measures to mitigate risk
Organisational
K 6 Guidelines, legislation and standard operating procedures that apply when dealing with hazardous materials and decontamination
Technical
K 21 The importance of limiting damage to property and the environment K 22 How to limit damage to property and the environment K 23 How to apply methods and techniques for controlling and containing hazardous materials K 24 How to apply methods and techniques for decontamination including avoiding further contamination

Practical application

Control measure element

Learning outcome

Absorption

Demonstrate the ability to:

Use appropriate absorbent materials to contain spillages
Carry out the safe and responsible disposal of absorbent materials

NOS performance criteria

You must be able to:
You must be able to - TO BE ARCHIVED 2947
P Agree with relevant others your tasks and duties at an incident in line with your role and responsibilities P Select equipment which can be safely used to minimise effects of hazardous materials in line with your organisation's guidelines P Operate equipment in line with its limitations, safety and operating instructions P Identify risks affecting your tasks and duties in line with your organisation's risk assessment procedures P Use appropriate control measures to mitigate risk in line with your organisation's procedures P Use agreed methods and techniques to minimise the impact of risk from hazardous materials in line with your allocated tasks and duties at an incident P Work in ways that keep yourself, others, property and the environment safe and free from harm P Select equipment which can be safely used when decontaminating and operate it in line with its limitations, safety and operating instructions P Assist with the decontamination and safe disposal of contaminated items and materials in line with the decontamination and disposal guidance available P Work with others including colleagues and other agencies in line with your organisation's communication procedures
Minimise damage to the environment from hazardous materials
P 1 Agree with relevant others your tasks and duties at an incident in line with your role and responsibilities P 2 Select equipment which can be safely used to minimise effects of hazardous materials in line with your organisation's guidelines P 3 Operate equipment in line with its limitations, safety and operating instructions P 4 Identify risks affecting your tasks and duties in line with your organisation's risk assessment procedures P 5 Use appropriate control measures to mitigate risk in line with your organisation's procedures P 7 Use agreed methods and techniques to minimise the impact of risk from hazardous materials in line with your allocated tasks and duties at an incident P 8 Work in ways that keep yourself, others, property and the environment safe and free from harm
Decontaminate people and property
P 10 Select equipment which can be safely used when decontaminating and operate it in line with its limitations, safety and operating instructions P 12 Assist with the decontamination and safe disposal of contaminated items and materials in line with the decontamination and disposal guidance available
Support operational incidents
P 17 Work with others including colleagues and other agencies in line with your organisation's communication procedures

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