GUIDE 170 |
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Metals (Powders, Dusts, Shavings, Borings, Turnings, or Cuttings, etc.) |
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POTENTIAL HAZARDS |
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- May react violently or explosively on contact with water. |
- Some are transported in flammable liquids. |
- May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames. |
- Some of these materials will burn with intense heat. |
- Dusts or fumes may form explosive mixtures in air. |
- Containers may explode when heated. |
- May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. |
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- Oxides from metallic fires are a severe health hazard. |
- Inhalation or contact with substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. |
- Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. |
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. |
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PUBLIC SAFETY |
- CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover. |
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream. |
- Keep unauthorized personnel away. |
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- Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). |
- Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. |
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Immediate precautionary measure |
- Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids. |
Large Spill |
- Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 50 meters (160 feet). |
Fire |
- If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. |
- In Canada, an Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) may be required for this product. Please consult the shipping paper and/or the ERAP Program Section (page 390). |
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EMERGENCY RESPONSE |
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- DO NOT USE WATER, FOAM OR CO2. |
- Dousing metallic fires with water will generate hydrogen gas, an extremely dangerous explosion hazard, particularly if fire is in a confined environment (i.e., building, cargo hold, etc.). |
- Use DRY sand, graphite powder, dry sodium chloride-based extinguishers, or class D extinguishers. |
- Confining and smothering metal fires is preferable rather than applying water. |
- If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. |
Fire Involving Tanks or Car/Trailer Loads |
- If impossible to extinguish, protect surroundings and allow fire to burn itself out. |
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- ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. |
- Do not touch or walk through spilled material. |
- Stop leak if you can do it without risk. |
- Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. |
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- Call 911 or emergency medical service. |
- Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. |
- Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely. |
- Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. |
- Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. |
- Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. |
- In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. |
- Keep victim calm and warm. |
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