§ 66265.56. Emergency Procedures.

(a) Whenever there is an imminent or actual emergency situation, the emergency coordinator (or the emergency coordinator's designee when the emergency coordinator is on call) shall immediately:

(1) activate internal facility alarms or communication systems, where applicable, to notify all facility personnel; and

(2) notify appropriate State or local agencies with designated response roles if their help is needed.

(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) Concurrently, 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 (e.g., 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, the emergency coordinator shall report the findings as follows.

(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. The emergency coordinator shall be available to help appropriate officials decide whether local areas should be evacuated; and

(2) The emergency coordinator shall, in every situation, immediately notify the State Office of Emergency Services. The report shall include:

(A) name and telephone number of reporter;

(B) name and address of facility;

(C) time and type of incident (e.g., release, fire);

(D) name and quantity of material(s) involved, to the extent known;

(E) the extent of injuries, if any; and

(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. Unless the owner or operator can demonstrate, in accordance with section 66261.3(c) or (d) of this division, that the recovered material is not a hazardous waste, the owner or operator becomes a generator of hazardous waste and shall manage it in accordance with all applicable requirements of chapters 12, 13, and 15 of this division.

(h) The emergency coordinator shall ensure that, in the affected area(s) of the facility:

(1) no waste that may be incompatible with the released material is transferred, treated, stored, or disposed of until cleanup procedures are completed; and

(2) all emergency equipment listed in the contingency plan is cleaned and fit for its intended use before operations are resumed.

(i) The owner or operator shall notify the Department, and appropriate State and local authorities, that the facility is in compliance with subsection (h) of this section before operations are resumed in the affected area(s) of the facility.

(j) The owner or operator shall note in the operating record the time, date, and details of any incident that requires implementing the contingency plan. Within 15 days after the incident, the owner or operator shall submit a written report on the incident to the Department. The report shall include:

(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 material(s) 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; and

(7) estimated quantity and disposition of recovered material that resulted from the incident.

HISTORY

1. New section filed 5-24-91; operative 7-1-91 (Register 91, No. 22).

Note

Note: Authority cited: Sections 208, 25150 and 25159, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 25159 and 25159.5, Health and Safety Code; 40 CFR Section 265.56.