Va. Association of Hazardous Materials Response Specialists

09/02/2026

Hazardous Materials Hotline© - August 28, 2026

Several agencies have released information of interest. The NTSB has created an interactive board displaying locations and links to NTSB maritime accident investigations, the CDC has released information on hazards associated with the post-wildfire environment, NIOSH has released a LODD report from....

09/02/2026

Good stuff!

⚡ TRAINING TUESDAY: WHY, WHEN AND HOW WE GROUND & BOND

Liquid moving through pumps and hoses can generate static electricity. If sufficient electrical potential develops between conductive components, a spark can occur where ignitable v***r is present.

Bonding connects conductive components so they remain at the same electrical potential. Grounding provides a path for accumulated charge to dissipate to earth.

WHEN:

Ground and bond when transferring flammable liquids between conductive containers where static accumulation and an ignitable atmosphere may be present. The exact configuration must follow your AHJ, SOPs and equipment procedures.

BEFORE MAKING CONNECTIONS:

* Establish the hot zone, control ignition sources and provide appropriate monitoring, spill control and fire protection.
* Locate utilities before installing ground rods.
* Position the ground fields uphill, upwind and outside the distressed container’s hot zone.
* When using a standalone pump, establish separate grounding systems for the distressed container, recovery container and pump.
* Test each ground field before connecting it to the equipment.

CONNECTION SEQUENCE:

1. Connect to the distressed container first, then complete the connection at its ground field.
2. Connect to the recovery container first, then complete the connection at its ground field.
3. Connect to the standalone pump first, then complete the connection at its ground field.
4. Connect the bonding cable to the distressed container first, then complete the bond at the recovery container.
5. After grounding and bonding are complete, connect the transfer hoses and begin the transfer according to your procedures.

This sequence places the final cable connections outside the hot zone, where any connection spark is separated from the highest-risk v***r area.

Maintain all connections until the transfer is complete and the containers are secured.

Grounding and bonding address static electricity. They do not replace v***r control, compatible transfer equipment, air monitoring, ignition-source control or emergency shutdown planning.

Can every member of your team explain not only where each cable connects—but which end is connected first and why?

Sources:

OSHA Flammable Liquids Standard
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.152

NFPA 77
https://link.nfpa.org/all-publications/77/2024

NFPA 470
https://link.nfpa.org/all-publications/470/2022

09/01/2026

Maryland - Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropanol)

A leak from a 250-gallon container of rubbing alcohol occurred in downtown Frederick. The Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services closed nearby intersections. The Frederick County hazardous materials team responded to pump the remaining liquid into a secure container, containing the spill with no reported injuries.

A small leak from a 250-gallon container of rubbing alcohol prompted a hazardous materials response and temporary street closures in downtown Frederick on Friday afternoon, according to the Frederick County

09/01/2026

Japan - Hydrofluoric Acid Exposure (Student Lab Death)

Emergency responders and specialized medical teams dispatched to Hokkaido University’s Faculty of Science building following a severe chemical exposure incident involving hydrofluoric acid.

The release drenched a male graduate student, resulting in fatal systemic chemical toxicity, while two attempting rescuers sustained secondary minor chemical injuries during immediate patient extraction; response personnel isolated the facility area to conduct hazardous residue mitigation and enable law enforcement investigation into chemical storage compliance.

A male graduate student died after being drenched in hydrofluoric acid, known as "bone-dissolving water," at Hokkaido University's science faculty building in Sapporo on Thursday morning. Two other students who rushed to help were also injured.

09/01/2026

Rhode Island - Ammonia Release (Food Processing Facility Incident)

Burrillville Emergency Management, Pascoag Fire District, and local response units deployed to the Charcuterie Artisans (formerly Daniele Foods) meat processing plant following an industrial hazardous materials release. Emergency responders initiated isolation protocols and facility evacuations after two workers sustained chemical exposure injuries during the incident, with response teams securing the facility to prevent off-site v***r release.

Five employees were brought to the hospital after being exposed to chemicals at a Burrillville meat manufacturer Thursday morning, according to authorities.

09/01/2026

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and prevention

09/01/2026

Thanks to our sponsor Safeware, attendees at the 2026 Virginia Conference will spend Thursday evening at Topgolf for our social event.

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09/01/2026

Washington - Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Propane)

A passenger vehicle collided with a stationary storage tank, causing an uncontained LPG fuel release. Skagit County officials issued a Level 3 mandatory evacuation order for all residents within 600 feet of the site. Skagit County emergency responders and private utility repair crews isolated the leak and declared the scene clear of atmospheric hazards.

A vehicle hit a propane gas tank, leading to the potential of a gas leak.

08/31/2026

California - Elemental Mercury (Class 8 / Heavy Metal Spill)

Exeter Police Department, Tulare County Fire Department, and regional hazardous materials teams deployed to Exeter High School following a reported elemental mercury release inside a classroom. Emergency responders immediately isolated the affected classroom wing and executed a precautionary full-campus evacuation, sending all students home while technicians conducted atmospheric monitoring and surface decontamination.

Exeter High School students were sent home early on Thursday after a Hazmat situation.There was a report of a possible elemental mercury spill inside a classro

08/31/2026

Oklahoma - Industrial Building Explosion (Ma*****na processing operation)

Sand Springs Fire Department, Sand Springs Police, and Oklahoma Natural Gas crews responded in Sandy Springs following an early-morning building explosion. The detonation completely demolished a commercial facility operating a ma*****na processing operation, scattering heavy debris across adjacent properties, resulting in one confirmed fatality and leaving another individual critically injured while responders secured secondary utility lines and cleared rubble.

One person is dead and another is critically injured after an explosion at a ma*****na grow facility in a Sand Springs business complex.