Minnesota Administrative Rules

7045.0468 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.

Subpart 1.

Emergency coordinator.

At all times, there must be at least one employee either on the facility premises or on call with the responsibility for coordinating all emergency response measures. This emergency coordinator shall be thoroughly familiar with all aspects of the facility's contingency plan, all operations and activities at the facility, the location and characteristics of waste handled, the location of all records within the facility, and the facility layout. This person shall also have the authority to commit the resources needed to carry out the contingency plan. Applicable responsibilities for the emergency coordinator vary, depending on factors such as type and variety of waste handled by the facility and type and complexity of the facility.

Subp. 2.

Notification of emergency.

Whenever the contingency plan is implemented, the emergency coordinator or designee when the emergency coordinator is on call, shall immediately activate internal facility alarms or communication systems, where applicable, to notify all facility personnel and notify appropriate state or local agencies with designated response roles with at least the information listed in subparts 3 and 4.

Subp. 3.

Identification of released material.

Whenever the contingency plan is implemented, the emergency coordinator shall immediately identify the character, exact source, amount, and areal extent of any released materials. He or she may do this by observation or review of facility records or manifests, and, if necessary, by chemical analysis.

Subp. 4.

Assessment of hazards.

Concurrently, the emergency coordinator shall assess possible hazards to human health or the environment that may result from the event that required the implementation of the contingency plan. This assessment must consider both direct and indirect effects of the release, fire, or explosion; the effects of any toxic, irritating, or asphyxiating gases that are generated; and the effects of any hazardous surface water run-off from water or chemical agents used to control fire and heat-induced explosions.

Subp. 5.

Report on released material.

If the emergency coordinator determines that the effects of an event requiring the contingency plan to be implemented could threaten human health or the environment outside the facility, the findings must be reported as provided in items A to C.

A.

If the assessment indicates that evacuation of local areas may be advisable, the appropriate local authorities must be immediately notified, and the emergency coordinator shall be available to help appropriate officials decide whether local areas should be evacuated.

B.

The Minnesota duty officer must be immediately notified at the appropriate 24-hour telephone number:

(1)

[phone] for Twin Cities' local calling area and outside Minnesota;

(2)

[phone] for greater Minnesota;

(3)

[phone] for TDD for Twin Cities' local calling area and outside Minnesota; or

(4)

[phone] for TDD for greater Minnesota.

C.

Notice must be given to the National Response Center using its 24-hour toll-free telephone number, [phone]. The report must include:

(1)

name and telephone number of reporter;

(2)

name and address of facility;

(3)

time and type of incident;

(4)

name and quantity of material involved, to the extent known;

(5)

the extent of injuries, if any; and

(6)

the possible hazards to human health or the environment outside the facility.

Subp. 6.

Duty to notify.

The emergency coordinator shall immediately notify the Minnesota duty officer if the released hazardous waste may cause pollution of the air, land resources, or waters of the state. The emergency coordinator shall use the appropriate Minnesota duty officer's 24-hour telephone number:

A.

[phone] for Twin Cities' local calling area and outside Minnesota;

B.

[phone] for greater Minnesota;

C.

[phone] for TDD for Twin Cities' local calling area and outside Minnesota; or

D.

[phone] for TDD for greater Minnesota.

Subp. 7.

Containment measures.

During an event that requires the implementation of the contingency plan, 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 must include, where applicable, stopping processes and operations, collecting and containing released waste, and removing or isolating containers.

Subp. 8.

Facility monitoring.

If the facility stops operations in response to an event requiring the implementation of the contingency plan, the emergency coordinator shall monitor for leaks, pressure buildup, gas generation, or ruptures in valves, pipes, or other equipment, wherever this is appropriate.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 116.07

History:

9 SR 115; 11 SR 1832; 18 SR 1565

Published Electronically:

October 10, 2013