Control of Chemical Hazards - hdbk11392002vol20021

DOE-HDBK-1139/2-2002

INEEL's program for ensuring that facilities maintain chemical inventories that are below limits placed

upon them by the Uniform Building Code and Uniform Fire Code, consists of the ICMS, the CDSS, and a

procedure. Every CPCHA at INEEL has been characterized as to its building code classification, and that

information has been entered into the CDSS and the ICMS. Facility reports are available through the

ICMS to help determine whether chemical inventories are approaching the facility limits.

2.6 Control of Chemical Hazards

INEEL controls chemical hazards at the activity level. Each CPCHA is reviewed to determine if a less

hazardous substitute can be used without negatively impacting the work or safety. CPCHAs are also

reviewed to determine if any controls need to be put into place. For example, barriers (such as glove

boxes, fume hoods, and remote operation), monitoring, personnel protective equipment (PPE), and similar

controls may be required to protect the employee, facility, or environment. During these reviews, factors

such as other CPCHAs and other materials in the work area that may interact with CPCHAs that will be

used during a work activity are evaluated. Processes exist for both operations and R&D for employees tp

know hazards and how mitigation occurs. They can also go to the CDSS to determine what the proper

secondary container label would be for any CPCHAs they are using. Employees are informed of signs

and symptoms of exposures, and, in the event of an exposure, the employee enters a medical surveillance

program.

2.7 Pollution Prevention and Waste Minimization

Several programs are in place to address pollution prevention and waste minimization. The INEEL

recycles a variety of materials through subcontracts, donations, and as excess material available to the

public. Subcontracts reclaim useful portions of products prior to disposal or residual material. The

INEEL's Pollution Prevention (P2) Program has been strategically positioned in the Waste Generator

Services group, which facilitates integration in other equally important and programs such as ISO 14001,

RCRA, and other associated disciplines. Te P2 Program is made up of five major elements: Solid Waste

Management, which identifies recycling opportunities and develops supporting subcontracts to facilitate

waste reduction and the Material Exchange Program; P2 Integration, which includes Pollution Prevention

in Design, Affirmative Procurement, and ISO 14001; Planning and Reporting Program; Waste Reduction,

which assists generators in conduction Pollution Prevention Opportunity Assessments to identify P2

opportunities in their work processes; and Training and Awareness.

The INEEL Affirmative Procurement Program encourages purchasing products with a recycled content

material whenever possible. This program won the 2000 National Pollution Prevention Award for

Affirmative Procurement and the White House Closing the Circle Award.

2.8 Emergency Management

An emergency management organization is tasked with planning for potential emergencies. This

organization is responsible for ensuring that adequate resources are available, that appropriate notification

processes are in place, that adequate memorandums of understanding are in place with neighboring local

governments and agencies, and that the INEEL hazardous materials response team is adequately trained

and prepared. A major concern of this organization is the potential for a chemical accident. To help with

their planning and response activities, the emergency management organization maintains an interface

with ICMS so that they have a real-time knowledge of what CPCHAs are present at what facility and in

what quantities. During an emergency, they can access ICMS to determine what is present and plan the

response accordingly. Exercises to test their ability to respond are held several times a year.