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Postal Explorer > Publication 52 - Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail > 2 General Guidelines > 24 Emergency Procedures
Incidents involving the release of hazardous materials, restricted matter, or
perishable matter may cause death, injury, and damage to property. Such
incidents can be avoided or minimized if appropriate preventive measures
are taken or correct emergency procedures are followed.
MI EL-810-96-1, Response to Hazardous Materials Releases, and Handbook
EL-812, Hazardous Materials and Spill Response, provide guidelines for
responding to emergency situations. Postal Service employees involved in
the flow of mailpieces containing harmful matter must follow these guidelines
from the point of deposit to the point of delivery.
Frequently, the effects of exposure resulting from damage, spillage, or
leakage of harmful matter are not obvious or readily apparent. For example,
infectious substances, radioactive material, corrosives, and poisons can
cause illness or injury that may become known to the victim gradually and
long after the incident.
During any spill or leak incident, or when damage is detected involving
harmful items, Postal Service personnel must take every precaution to
protect other personnel and property from visible and invisible effects of the
material involved. These procedures are to be followed:
a. Identify harmful properties of the material (based on the markings) and
determine the precautions to be taken.
b. Provide adequate personal protection to employees who must handle
the materials.
c. Contain and transport leaking containers for disposal.
d. Clean and decontaminate facilities and machinery.
Refer to MI EL-810-96-1, Response to Hazardous Materials Releases, and
Handbook EL-812, Hazardous Materials and Spill Response, for specific
instructions.
During any incident involving harmful matter where there is actual or
suspected damage to a mailpiece or its contents, Postal Service personnel
must follow the specific procedures in Handbook EL-812, Hazardous
Materials and Spill Response. The following are general guidelines:
a. Isolate the damaged package immediately and restrict the area. If the
incident occurs in a facility or on the equipment of an air carrier,
immediately brief the carrier on the nature and quantity of the materials
released.
b. Contact the supervisor or designated qualified employee, who can take
prompt and appropriate measures to protect life and prevent injury,
loss, or damage. They will determine whether it is an incidental spill
that can be handled by the facility spill and leak team or an emergency
spill that will require implementation of the emergency action plan. If
mail sealed against inspection must be opened for this purpose, act in
accordance with ASM 274.
c. Remove any injured or contaminated person from the area with as little
physical contact as possible:
(1) Limit any first aid to what is absolutely necessary, until a qualified
physician is present.
(2) Direct all personnel exposed to radioactive materials to wash all
exposed body areas immediately with cold water and immediately
report to a physician for an examination.
d. If the spill is determined to be an emergency, contact the fire
department, the police, a qualified physician, and/or the appropriate
agencies equipped to handle specific situations.
e. Avoid smoke, fumes, or dust. Segregate any clothing or tools used in
fighting fires until they can be checked for contamination.
f. Do not eat, smoke, or drink in the affected area.
g. Do not place involved areas in service until the appropriate authorities
have determined that the areas are free of all contamination.
h. Notify the PCSC or Postal Service Inspection Service, as appropriate
under POM 139.117-118 (see 216). A report must be made for any
incident that includes damage to mail or property, or injury to
personnel. PS Form 1770, Mail Piece Spill of Leak Incident Report,
must be completed and forwarded in accordance with instructions on
the form.
i. Comply with procedures outlined in MI DM-601-05-1, Hazardous
Materials Acceptance and Handling, for reporting hazardous materials
incidents that occur while materials are being transported as mail
aboard an aircraft.
CHEMTREC (Chemical Transportation Emergency Center) is a service of the
Chemical Manufacturers Association that provides immediate information
and advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for those at the scene of
transportation emergencies involving chemicals.
Postal Service personnel are authorized to telephone CHEMTREC day or
night, toll free, at 800-424-9300. For calls originating within the state of
Virginia or outside the continental United States, telephone 703-527-3887.
CHEMTREC usually can provide hazard guidance and information warnings
when given only the name of the product and the nature of the problem.
CHEMTREC also follows up by promptly contacting the shipper of the
chemicals involved for more detailed assistance. CHEMTREC does not
provide on-site emergency response.
CHEMTREC may request the following information in an emergency call:
a. Caller's name, title and organization, and callback number at scene.
b. Description of incident and actions taken.
c. Type and number of injuries/exposures.
d. Material involved, including:
• Name of the products(s), preferably a trade name.
• Shipper and point of destination.
• Consignee and destination (delivery address).
e. Type or description and number of containers/packages.
f. Specific information you need right away (MSDSs, medical help, etc.)
g. Size of or amount of release.
h. Location, time, weather at the scene
Following are telephone numbers for use during normal business hours
(unless otherwise noted) for the indicated types of emergencies:
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC)
(for etiologic agents and biohazard materials)
404-633-5313
CHEMICAL TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY CENTER (CHEMTREC)
(for Chemical Spills - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
800-424-9300 (in continental United States; outside Virginia)
703-527-3887 (within Virginia or outside the continental United States)
CROPLIFE AMERICA
(for Herbicides, insecticides, Fungicides, and similar products)
202-296-1585
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)
NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER
(for Chemical and Oil Spills)
202-267-2675 (within Washington DC)
800-424-8802 (outside Washington DC)
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