What are the risks?
Chemical Hazards and Physical Hazards
Chemical Hazards
May be inhaled, absorbed or ingested
- poison gas, solvents, acids, bases, contaminated waste, contaminated equipment, waste chemicals etc
- chemicals in unlabelled containers
- spilt chemicals
Also provide danger of fire or explosion
Physical Hazards
- armed/drug-affected suspects
- explosives
- sharps
- booby traps
- risk of electric shock
- unsafe building structures
- heat/cold stress
Initial Action at Clan Lab Scene - CYPS
11 x actions
O/C Investigation will coordinate the:
** Assigning officer to look after and monitor the CYP:
- Assessment of CYP for injury, illness or respiratory distress
- If the CYP is in need of immediate medical attention this may take priority over decontamination requirements.
(OC must ensure the Medical Facility is notified of the contamination prior to admission)
** CYFS - Request for CYFS to attend scene (if not already done)
** Protection PPE – Distribution of personal protective Equipment (PPE) to CYFS
** Photograph CYP at scene
** Injuries - Recording of the physical condition of CYP including any injuries
** Mental - Recording of mental state of CYP
** Preliminary interview with the CYP
** Consider swabbing the CYP for chemical residues (ESR)
( Ensure the application and search warrant authorises police to cause a swab or sample to be taken from any CYP present at the premises)
** Clothing - secure clothing worn by the CYP as an exhibit (CYFS)
** Appropriate – most appropriate decontamination for the CYP
** Removal of CYP from immediate scene – (cyfs not police)
Responders
At least one trained and qualified person must attend every Clan Lab
- have attended a NCLRT course
- trained in the use of BA equipment
- current medical clearance
- PCT & first aid
- demonstrate competency and knowledge of clan labs
- able to train/instruct staff
Levels of Protection
- Level A
- extreme high hazard **
- fully encapsulated suit and self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
- highest level of respiratory and skin protection
Levels of Protection
- Level B
- unknown hazards**
- Protective suit and SCBA
- highest level of respiratory protection
- intermediate level of skin protection
Levels of Protection
- Level C
- *fully assessed hazards**
- Protective suit and air purifying respirator (APR) or re-breather
- intermediate level of respiratory and skin protection
Levels of Protection
- Level D
- *no hazards**
- work uniform/overalls, eye and hand protection
- incidental body protection
Unplanned Entry
- Police involved must not touch, handle, move, disconnect, deactivate or operate anything *
- Immediately remove persons of interest from the premises
- Isolate the site and maintain a safety perimeter
- preserve the crime scene
- notify duty inspector/NCO, NCLRT and fire service and ambulance where appropriate
- seek advise from NCLRT member or fire service about decontamination
- occupants and staff who have entered are to remain separated until decontamination issues have been address
- seek medical assistance if you experience any adverse effects
Planned Entry
- Safety considerations must always outweigh evidence considerations *
Manner of entry will depend on:
- whether active or inactive lab
- location of lab
- proximity to persons or property
- type/size of lab
- firearms/weapons/booby traps
AOS/STG
Use of AOS/STG mandatory when:
- Clan lab believed to be active and/or occupied
- where armed offenders (any weapon) are believed or suspected to be present
- firearms are likely to be present
Minimal Level of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Initial Entry Team
- Flame retardant overals
- chemical and flame resistance coveralls
- boots
- fire resistance gloves
- balaclava
- SRBA vest
- APR’s with Air filters
Entering Clan Lab - immediate priority
- ensuring own safety
- protecting other team members
- removing offenders
- protecting community and environment
Covert Entry
permission of commissioned officer required and NCO must be in attendance
Hazardous Substance and New Organisms Act 1996
- Emergency def
arising from a hazardous substance or new organism
means:
- actual or imminent danger to human health or safety, or:
- danger to environment or chattels so significant that immediate action is required to remove the danger
HSNO Act 1996
- When an emergency has been declared
Sec 137
- Enter and premises or dwelling
- Exercise any power set out in Sec 103 or 119(5)
- Direct any person to:
- Stop any activity contributing to emergency
- to leave any place in the vicinity of the emergency
- refrain from entering the vicinity of the emergency
- Request any person, verbally or in writing, to take any action to prevent or limit the extent of the emergency
- Destroy any property or any other thing in order to prevent or limit the extent of the emergency
- severe the site for up to 24 hours following the decision of the enforcement officer that the immediate danger is past
HSNO Act 1996
- Powers of Entry for Inspection
Sec 103
- Enforcement Officer my, at any reasonable time:
- go on, into, under or over any premises (excluding dwellings) or;
- with the consent of the occupier do as above with a dwelling
- for the purpose of inspection to:
- monitor compliance etc in any premises where a hazardous substance or new organism approved under this act it located. or:
- determine nature of any substance/organism
- determine whether or not any person is complying with a compliance order.
- Inforcement Officer may:
- take samples of water/soil/air/any substance
- open containers and packages
- take photographs/measurements/sketches
- take/remove anything for analysis or testing
- Require:
- something not to be disturbed
- Making of statements by person in charge of premises
- production of any documents relevant (and take copies)
** Must produce evidence of appointment as enforcement officer and results of analysis of anything and why it is being destroyed**
Enforcement Officer
Includes any member of Police and any Chief Fire Officer or person exercising the powers of one.
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Sexual Offences77
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Drug Offences65
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Drug Offences - Misc Offences38
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Clan Labs19
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Association Offences65
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Arson - Fire Investigation Protocol11
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Arson - fire scene investigation15
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Arson - fires not involving explosives3
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Arson - misc3
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Arson - fire involving explosives3
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Arson - case law, liabilities, defs30
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Deception - case law13
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Deception34
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Homicide case law19
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Serious Crime Investigation13
