Rule 3745-65-56 | Emergency procedures.
(A) Whenever there is an emergency situation consisting of imminent or actual harm or hazard to human health or the environment, the emergency coordinator, or the emergency coordinator's designee when the emergency coordinator is on call, shall immediately do both of the following:
(1) Activate internal facility alarms or communication systems, where applicable, to notify all facility personnel.
(2) Notify the Ohio EPA "Emergency Response Unit" at 800/282-9378, and appropriate local authorities with designated response roles.
(B) Whenever there is a release, fire, or explosion, the emergency coordinator shall immediately identify the character, exact source, amount, and areal extent of any released materials. The emergency coordinator may do this by observation or review of facility records or manifests and, if necessary, by chemical analysis.
(C) In addition to the requirements in paragraphs (A) and (B) of this rule, the emergency coordinator shall assess possible hazards to human health or the environment that may result from the release, fire, or explosion. This assessment shall consider both direct and indirect effects of the release, fire, or explosion, and shall include, but not be limited to, the effects of any toxic, irritating, or asphyxiating gases that are generated, or the effects of any hazardous surface water run-offs from water or chemical agents used to control fire and heat-induced explosions.
(D) If the emergency coordinator determines that the facility has had a release, fire, or explosion which could threaten human health or the environment outside the facility:
(1) If the emergency coordinator's assessment indicates that evacuation of local areas may be advisable, the emergency coordinator shall immediately notify appropriate local authorities, and shall be available to help appropriate officials decide whether local areas should be evacuated.
(2) The emergency coordinator shall immediately notify the Ohio EPA "Emergency Response Unit" at 800/282-9378 and provide all of the following:
(a) Name and telephone number of the emergency coordinator who is making the notification.
(b) Name and address of facility.
(c) Time and type of incident (e.g., release, fire).
(d) Name and quantity of materials involved, to the extent known.
(e) The extent of injuries, if any.
(f) The possible hazards to human health or the environment outside the facility.
(E) During an emergency, the emergency coordinator shall take all reasonable measures necessary to ensure that fires, explosions, and releases do not occur, recur, or spread to other hazardous waste at the facility. These measures shall include, where applicable, stopping processes and operations, collecting and containing released waste, and removing or isolating containers.
(F) If the facility stops operations in response to a fire, explosion, or release, the emergency coordinator shall monitor for leaks, pressure buildup, gas generation, or ruptures in valves, pipes, or other equipment, wherever this is appropriate.
(G) Immediately after an emergency, the emergency coordinator shall provide for treating, storing, or disposing of recovered waste, contaminated soil or surface water, or any other material that results from a release, fire, or explosion at the facility.
[Comment: Unless the owner or operator can demonstrate, in accordance with paragraph (C) or (D) of rule 3745-51-03 of the Administrative Code, that the recovered material is not a hazardous waste, the owner or operator becomes a generator of hazardous waste and shall manage such waste in accordance with all applicable requirements of Chapters 3745-52, 3745-53, 3745-65 to 3745-69, and 3745-256 of the Administrative Code.]
(H) The emergency coordinator shall ensure that in the affected areas of the facility:
(1) No waste that may be incompatible with the released material is treated, stored, or disposed of until cleanup procedures are completed.
(2) All emergency equipment listed in the contingency plan is cleaned and fit for the equipment's intended use before operations are resumed.
(I) The owner or operator shall note in the operating record the time, date, and details of any incident that requires the contingency plan to be implemented. Within fifteen days after the incident, the owner or operator shall submit a written report on the incident to the director. The report shall include all of the following:
(1) Name, address, and telephone number of the owner or operator.
(2) Name, address, and telephone number of the facility.
(3) Date, time, and type of incident (e.g., fire, explosion).
(4) Name and quantity of materials involved.
(5) The extent of injuries, if any.
(6) An assessment of actual or potential hazards to human health or the environment, where this is applicable.
(7) Estimated quantity and disposition of recovered material that resulted from the incident.
Last updated September 29, 2021 at 8:55 AM
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