an exercise in hazardous chemicals exposure

Last year, the joint exercise with Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service involved a scenario based on uncontrolled chlorine gas generation caused by chemical reaction. This year’s operation to support operational coordination and safety procedures was based on the following situation:

• Scenario: exposure to hazardous chemicals
• Casualties: 4 (1 dummy and 3 live casualties)
• Scenario: During routine operations, an individual was exposed to hazardous chemicals while making their way through the factory to the nearest safety shower. The chemical exposure subsequently affected three additional individuals, triggering a coordinated search and rescue operation followed by a full decontamination exercise.

• Test multi-agency response to a chemical spill scenario.
• Practice casualty identification, treatment, and rescue.
• Assess effectiveness of information gathering and communication by the Incident Commander.
• Evaluate SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) crew procedures and casualty handling under hazardous conditions.
• Test internal staff emergency procedures, including roll call and hazard recognition.

A dedicated team of 7 personnel from Tecan Ltd took part alongside 3 fully manned fire tenders deployed by the Fire and Rescue Service fully manned by operational personnel plus a full command and control unit (altogether ~30 individuals) to manage the incident response and ensure effective execution of the exercise.

This was a full-on exercise with loads going on in which the Tecan team excelled.

“I want to thank the team for volunteering to take part in this exercise, they did Tecan proud. I can truly say this was one of the most impressive exercises I have been involved in. Thanks too, to the Wiltshire and Dorset fire service for their professionalism and support.”

Wayne Burgess CMIOSH PIEMA
Health Safety & Environmental Manager, Tecan Ltd