Anthrax and Biohazard Response Procedures
The recent events surrounding the terrorist attacks on the United States has prompted many inquiries from our customers related to our procedures and preparedness to respond to Anthrax suspected material.
Please be advised that Clean Harbors is prepared to and has in place the proper procedures to respond to any suspected Anthrax situation.
Clean Harbors has responded to numerous suspected Anthrax situations around the country since the initial outbreaks have been reported. These responses have been for government agencies and numerous major corporations. More importantly, Clean Harbors has been working with various major corporations and government agencies on establishing protocols for protecting major high volume mail users from suspected anthrax threats or releases in the future. We can provide customers guidance, on site trained crews and standby capabilities to respond to the present threats or future variations of bio-terrorism.
We have developed very specific response protocols for responding to Anthrax. All Clean Harbors Emergency Response offices are currently briefing and certifying each employee on these procedures.
Due to the unprecedented demands being placed on our personnel and equipment along with the diversion of a vast array of Clean Harbors' resources to respond to this national emergency as well as the extraordinary additional costs to ensure the highest level of protection to our employees and the environment, please be aware that we now have in effect new Infectious Agent/Biological Response Rates. These rates will be in effect for all Biohazard or Anthrax suspected responses and cleanups. In addition, a new Biohazard Emergency Response Agreement will be required for all Biohazard Response jobs.
The following is a summary of the procedures currently in place for response and clean up of a suspected Anthrax situation.
Customer:
Contact Clean Harbors via the Emergency Response Hotline number: (800) 645-8265
Notify your local FBI, and applicable police and fire departments.
Sign the Clean Harbors Biohazard Emergency Response Agreement.
Clean Harbors:
All sites are potential crime scenes and will be treated as such. All onsite direction and guidance will come from state or federal authorities.
Each Clean Harbors employee will follow all company Health & Safety Guidelines, including "Guidance Procedure for Responding to Suspected Biological Agents".
Clean Harbors will collect a sample of the suspect material and will:
Follow State Laboratory guidelines for packaging the sample and if no specific procedures are provided, triple bag the sample in sealed plastic bags.
Complete a chain of custody form.
Attach the chain of custody to the outside of the sample bags.
Have the local authority designated by the State Department of Health, State Laboratory, FBI or Law Enforcement Agency transport the sample to the State Laboratory for anthrax testing. Clean Harbors will not transport any suspected anthrax material off site.
Clean Harbors will decontaminate the area according to the Health & Safety Guidelines titled "Guidance Procedure Responding to Suspected Biological Agents" and package the waste according to Clean Harbors D20 (solids) or D20A (solids with free liquid) guidelines. A packing list will be completed for each container.
Clean Harbors will complete a chain of custody for all waste generated from the decon procedures.
Clean Harbors will leave all waste in a secure area on site and retain a copy of the chain of custody form.
Once analysis has been completed by the State Laboratory:
Clean Harbors will obtain a copy of the State Laboratory analysis
If positive, the FBI will take over the site as a crime scene and they will direct all further action.
If negative, Clean Harbors will complete disposal arrangements with the Customer.
As always, Clean Harbors will do everything conceivable to protect our employees, the general public and the environment.
If you have any questions or need Clean Harbors to Respond, please contact your local Field Services General Manager at (800) 645-8265. |
