Response Scenario Paper on the Spillage of N,N-dimethylaniline - Essay Example

The principles of the Incident Command System [ICS] provides an organized approach in handling and controlling different types of incidences in which lives and property may be at risk (“ICS Features and Principles”, 2007). This paper presents a response scenario on the chemical spillage of N,N-dimethylaniline in a manufacturing company using the principles involved in an Incident Command System. Keywords: Incident Command System, N,N-dimethylaniline, Response Scenario Hazardous Material: N,N-dimethylaniline N,N-dimethylaniline is known to be toxic to humans because it affects the organs like kidney and liver.

Exposure to this chemical either through ingestion, skin contact or inhalation may lead to acute or chronic effects, depending on the degree of exposure. Although there are no available data whether N,N-dimethylaniline is a carcinogen or a mutagen, it is still best to have as minimal exposure to the chemical as possible (“N,N-dimethylaniline MSDS”, 2005). N,N-dimethylaniline is a combustible material. There are no data available on possible explosion risks due to static discharge or mechanical impact, or incompatibility with the presence of other chemicals (“N,N-dimethylaniline MSDS”, 2005), but this does not mean zero chances of the risk of an explosion or fire.

Incident Command System The Incident Command System [ICS] follows an organized management principle where there is a hierarchy of the different individuals responsible for the control and handling of emergencies or incidences (FEMA, n.d.). An ICS is headed by the Incident Commander [IC], who has typically three members under the command staff, namely: the Information Officer, Liaison Officer and the Safety Officer. The General Staff which encompasses the Operations, Planning, Logistics and, Finance and Administration, together with the command staff create the over-all management system that comprises the ICS (NRT, 2000).

Applicable to both government and private sectors, the ICS is an effective yet flexible approach to any incident because it allows the coordination and integration of the different functionalities within an organization (FEMA, n.d.). The scenario of an N,N-dimethylaniline spillage in a manufacturing company requires the immediate response action of the components of the ICS to ensure the safety of the responders, employees, and the people immediately surrounding the area where the incident took place.

On-set of the Spillage. The manufacturing plant is categorized as a fixed closed facility in which hazardous materials can be accidentally released in very large quantities because of the presence of large containers in the area. This implies the importance of labeling of these containers for proper identification, especially when an incident like a chemical spill occurs. Aside from labeling, the Materials Safety Data Sheet [MSDS] for the chemicals, in this case, N,N-dimethylaniline must be on-hand to be able to obtain information on the hazardous nature of the material (USFA, 1998).

First Responders. More often than not, the first person, also known as the first responder, who recognizes the spill must immediately inform the supervisor of the occurrence of the incident. Regardless of the department or section that they belong to, the first responder must be aware of the type of hazardous material that spilled, immediately wear the necessary personal protective equipment [PPE] and prevent other personnel from