MPH 632-Practice Lab: Hazardous Material Production & Transport Risk Management 

  1. Title: Practice Lab: Hazardous Material Production & Transport Risk Management 
  2. Background: This practice lab was part of the MPH 632 Environmental and Occupational Health Risk Management and more information all topics can be found in the attached document. The scenario presented was of a small southern town which hosts several chemical facilities with thousands of employees each. Chemicals would be stored on site or transported by train through other populated areas. 
  3. Key questions: What are the occupational and environmental risks associated with this scenario? What measures can be taken to prevent them? How would you justify and then implement the suggested prevention measures. 
  4. Method: Review the scenario, using concepts learned in class, as well as reputable sources to determine potential risks and prevention methods. Once the risks are determined, they are organized by priority, and risk management recommendations are made. 
  5. Findings: The priority areas of potential risk were 1. A larger number of employees working in high-risk areas. 2. The presence of flammable and explosive materials in a facility with very high temperatures. 3. Transportation of hazardous materials near populated areas. 4. Facilities are located near populated areas. 5. Large quantities of hazardous materials are stored on site, and large quantities of waste materials are created.
  6. Recommendations: Recommendations made were 1. Provide training in a language appropriate to employees and create sign-in/out sheets for high-risk areas. 2. Assure engineering safety measures have backup systems, which are checked at regular intervals. 3. All materials are stored in chemical specific containers, and rail cars are fitted with environmental controls and crash safety features.  4. Develop and update emergency notification and evacuation plans which are regularly communicated to the public. 5. Make sure all materials/waste are stored in appropriate containers which are labelled and dated and make swaps for less hazardous materials where processes allow. 
  7. Public health significance: We are seeing the ramification of parts of this scenario in real time with the Norfolk Southern train derailment in Ohio and other similar events across the country. Reduction of exposure to hazardous materials is vital to the health of the environment, protection of ecosystems, and the health of communities.
Practice_Lab_Amy_Prusinski_PDF