Discussion
Following on from the First Aid at a RTA, How knows the meaning or importance of the Hazchem boards carried on vans and lorries. As ithe imformation is very important in the "D" part of DRABC.
I found this web site that appears to answer most of the possiable question needed at the scene of an RTA.
www.the-ncec.com/hazchem/NCEChazchemguide.html
Paul.
I found this web site that appears to answer most of the possiable question needed at the scene of an RTA.
www.the-ncec.com/hazchem/NCEChazchemguide.html
Paul.
Very good point - but don't worry about trying to decipher the code or learning EAC numbers; just give the details to the Plod call-taker who will have/can easily get detailed information on the substance and provide advice. DO NOT be tempted to bowl in and get cracking if hazchem are present - get advice first 
Horror story time.
There was an accident a few years back in the Thames Valley area where a hazchem tanker crashed and spilled something nasty everywhere.
When the police arrived they set up a 200m perimiter and early indications were that a tyre had failed as there was half a tyre in the road close to the lorry.
It unfortunately transpired that the tyre was in fact a nurse who had rushed to the aid of the driver without realising what the liquid was. She died before she could reach the truck
Whatever the chemical was wicked up her clothing and caused horrific injuries. The people that were on scene will never forget it.
And they rocket this crap around at 70mph!
There was an accident a few years back in the Thames Valley area where a hazchem tanker crashed and spilled something nasty everywhere.
When the police arrived they set up a 200m perimiter and early indications were that a tyre had failed as there was half a tyre in the road close to the lorry.
It unfortunately transpired that the tyre was in fact a nurse who had rushed to the aid of the driver without realising what the liquid was. She died before she could reach the truck
Whatever the chemical was wicked up her clothing and caused horrific injuries. The people that were on scene will never forget it. And they rocket this crap around at 70mph!
madant69 said:
Horror story time.
There was an accident a few years back in the Thames Valley area where a hazchem tanker crashed and spilled something nasty everywhere.
When the police arrived they set up a 200m perimiter and early indications were that a tyre had failed as there was half a tyre in the road close to the lorry.
It unfortunately transpired that the tyre was in fact a nurse who had rushed to the aid of the driver without realising what the liquid was. She died before she could reach the truck
And they rocket this crap around at 70mph!
I remember it well as I was in attendance. There was a similar one a short while later where someone rushed into help and the helper literaly disolved before our eyes.
I was told about the disolving one on a training course a few years ago never knew if it was true or not but some of the chemicals used in industary can do that.
I started the thread to try in make people aware of the dangers of rushing in if a lorry is involved as its the fist part of DRABC.
Paul.
I started the thread to try in make people aware of the dangers of rushing in if a lorry is involved as its the fist part of DRABC.
Paul.
With Hazchem stuff, if you can stay upwind of it do so.
If the driver of the hazchem is able to communicate without getting too close, take advice from him/her.If you are unfortunate enough to become involved in or witness a hazchem incident, the best thing you can do is stop anyone else going near it and FOR CHRIST SAKE MAKE SURE NO ONE LIGHTS UP A FAG, EVEN 200 METRES AWAY
As someone else stated, phone 999 and give the codes visible on the orange diamond boards attached to the sides front and rear of the stricken vehicle to the Police & Fire services. There will alos be a telephone number on the hazchem board. This is for the fire service to obtain details form the manufacturer. It is an idea to phone this number too and give details of what has happened.
If the driver of the hazchem is able to communicate without getting too close, take advice from him/her.If you are unfortunate enough to become involved in or witness a hazchem incident, the best thing you can do is stop anyone else going near it and FOR CHRIST SAKE MAKE SURE NO ONE LIGHTS UP A FAG, EVEN 200 METRES AWAY
As someone else stated, phone 999 and give the codes visible on the orange diamond boards attached to the sides front and rear of the stricken vehicle to the Police & Fire services. There will alos be a telephone number on the hazchem board. This is for the fire service to obtain details form the manufacturer. It is an idea to phone this number too and give details of what has happened.
206xsi said:
Do Hazchem lorry drivers have to pass any further tests or undergo any training for the loads they carry?
Very much so. They have to understand everything about the load they carry and how to deal with an emergency involving the cargo. They carry things called Trem cards which have all the relevant information required to allow the emergency services to deal properly with an incident. They are required to know this information as well as carry it for the Police or Fire service to examine. The drivers themselves are experts and consequently are usually very well paid!
A good friend of mine, Paul Burns has spent many many years publsihing and refining a small hand-held reference book called Symbol Seeker. This manual details all UK and International HAZMAT symbols and such. Many forces throughour the World use his manuals (see his testimonials page) it really is a World-class product. See his site at www.symbolseeker.com (Tell him Roop sent you if you get in touch).
Roop
Roop
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