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SECTION Hazardous Materials <br /> STANDARD <br /> OPERATING S.O.G. No: 301.03 <br /> t GUIDELINES <br /> SUBJECT Decontamination Procedures <br /> B. Decontamination (decon) is the process of removing contaminants from <br /> people and equipment. Decon should occur in the Warm Zone so as to <br /> minimize the possibility of secondary contamination. <br /> C. There are four basic methods of decontamination available to response <br /> personnel: <br /> 1. Dilution: The use of water to flush the contaminant from the victim or <br /> piece of equipment. Be sure to impound or collect the contaminated <br /> water in this process. <br /> 2. Absorption: The use of an absorbent for picking up a liquid <br /> contaminant. This works well on a spill. <br /> 3. Chemical degradation: The use of another material (e.g. household <br /> bleach or baking soda) to change the chemical structure of the <br /> hazardous material so as to neutralize the material. <br /> 4. Isolation and disposal: The isolation of a hazardous material by <br /> collecting it and then disposing of it in accordance with state and <br /> federal regulations. While this may be a more costly alternative, it is <br /> often the easiest technique to employ. <br /> V. PROCEDURE. <br /> A. Specific measures required to decontaminate personnel and/or equipment <br /> caries depending on the contaminant, the circumstances of the incident, <br /> and level of contamination. These factors must be considered while <br /> following the guidelines of this procedure. <br /> B. The Incident Commander with consultation of the Hazardous Materials <br /> Response Team will appoint a Decontamination Officer at all hazardous <br /> materials emergencies that pose a potential decontamination problem. <br /> Only personnel trained to accomplish this task will be appointed. <br /> C. The Decontamination Officer shall establish a Decontamination Sector in <br /> the Warm Zone. The site of the Decontamination Sector should be <br /> selected on the basis of: <br /> 1. Accessibility and location. (Special note: Due consideration must be <br /> given to the privacy of potential victims and rescue workers.) <br /> 2. Surface material. <br /> 3. Lighting. <br /> 4. Drains and waterways. <br /> 5. Water supply, <br /> 6. Weather. <br /> Page 2 of 4 <br />