This is an entry level course to provide an overview and awareness of incidents involving hazardous materials. It aims to develop some generic principles that are consistent with all such incidents.

Prevention of incidents will always be a priority for everyone involved with chemical handling. Unfortunately, accidents happen and a safe, methodical and decisive approach will assist in minimising the impact of such incidents.

The course is split into 4 modules:

An overview of the different types of hazardous materials, their properties and behaviours, and the regulatory systems to enable their recognition. This will include substances dangerous for supply, labelling and transport, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Hazard categories and their properties.

An overview of chemical storage and containment. Ways in which containment can fail or hazardous materials can become uncontrolled. This will include container types and transport vehicles, the mnemonic SEDITION (Stressors, Escape, Dispersal, Impingement, Troubles and Reactions) including incompatibility with response equipment.

Mnemonic to ensure actions taken to manage a chemical release are methodical, risk assessed, timely, practical, and proportionate to the incident.

• Screen the scene to quickly assess the scale and context of the release
• Mobilise response, equipment, and wider support
• Acquire information on the hazards, quantity, location, and vulnerable receptors (people, infrastructure, and environment)
• Risk assess intervention and ensure it falls within your capabilities
• Time critical actions to be taken to protect people’s safety and prevent escalation of the release by stabilising techniques (ventilation, containment, neutralisation etc)

An overview of the level of danger posed by substances and ways to protect yourself. This module will look at toxicity and levels (safe, unsafe, dangerous, or life threatening) and typical Personal Protective Equipment principles and standards.

The modules will be followed by a final test covering all aspects raised in the course with a summary and final discussion.