Guide Pages

 
GUIDE
111
MIXED LOAD / UNIDENTIFIED CARGO
 
POTENTIAL HAZARDS

FIRE OR EXPLOSION

  • May explode from heat, shock, friction or contamination.
  • May react violently or explosively on contact with air, water or foam.
  • May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
  • Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back.
  • Containers may explode when heated.
  • Ruptured cylinders may rocket.

HEALTH

  • Inhalation, ingestion or contact with substance may cause severe injury, infection, disease or death.
  • High concentration of gas may cause asphyxiation without warning.
  • Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes.
  • Fire or contact with water may produce irritating, toxic and/or corrosive gases.
  • Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.
PUBLIC SAFETY
  • CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number on Shipping Paper first. If Shipping Paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.
  • As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.
  • Keep unauthorized personnel away.
  • Stay upwind.
  • Keep out of low areas.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

  • Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
  • Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides limited protection in fire situations ONLY; it may not be effective in spill situations.

EVACUATION

Fire

  • If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE

FIRE

CAUTION: Material may react with extinguishing agent.

Small Fire

  • Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam.

Large Fire

  • Water spray, fog or regular foam.
  • Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk.

Fire involving Tanks

  • Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out.
  • Do not get water inside containers.
  • Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.
  • ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.

SPILL OR LEAK

  • Do not touch or walk through spilled material.
  • ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in immediate area).
  • All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded.
  • Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material.
  • Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material.
  • Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.

Small Spill

  • Take up with sand or other non-combustible absorbent material and place into containers for later disposal.

Large Spill

  • Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal.

FIRST AID

  • Move victim to fresh air.
  • Call 911 or emergency medical service.
  • Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing.
  • Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; give artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device.
  • Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.
  • Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes.
  • In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes.
  • Shower and wash with soap and water.
  • Keep victim warm and quiet.
  • Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to substance may be delayed.
  • Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves.
 
 
 
 
Date modified:
2012-08-08