Module 9: Control Techniques - International Association of Fire ...

Student Text IAFF Training for Hazardous Materials: Technician©
Cargo Tank Leak Activity 3
A semiconductor manufacturer (the shipper) hired a cargo tank from a chemical waste management
company (the carrier) to transport a waste acid mixture to a disposal site some distance
away. Because the carrier and shipper had done business in the past, the carrier’s dispatcher
assigned the same type of cargo tank that had been previously used for that shipper.
When the driver arrived at the shipper’s location, mixed acid waste from two storage locations
was loaded into the cargo tank. The shipping papers described the cargo as “waste, acid liquid
n.o.s.” (UN 1760). While in transit, the driver had mechanical difficulties and was directed to go
to the nearest truck dealer for repairs. The driver parked the cargo tank in the dealer’s back lot
and detached it from the tractor. Shortly thereafter, employees at the dealership noticed orange
vapors escaping from the tank. However, no one notified the fire department until two hours
later.
When the fire department finally arrived, fire fighters evacuated the area and attempted to identify
the components of the mixed acid waste. The shipper and the carrier provided conflicting
information as to the specific chemicals in the mixture. Meanwhile, vapors continued to escape
from the tank, and the tank shell became very hot. Although the vapors and the tank temperature
were reduced with a water spray, the acid mixture eventually eroded the shell and began to drain.
Questions
1. What can you do when you have conflicting information about a chemical, particularly
chemical mixtures?
2. What control actions would you take?
3. How could the situation have been prevented?
Module 9: Control Techniques 9-79