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VESERIS Contingency Plan Section 10 - Decontamination Restoration Effective Date 9/20/2021 Supersedes New Page 10-1 PURPOSE: Decontamination - the process of removing or neutralizing contaminants that have accumulated on personnel and equipment - is critical to health and safety in emergency situations. Decontamination protects personnel from hazardous substances that may contaminate and eventually permeate protective clothing, respiratory equipment, tools, vehicles, and other equipment used during an emergency. It also helps prevent the potential mixing of incompatible materials, and it protects human health and the environment by preventing uncontrolled migration of contaminants from the site of the emergency. PROCEDURE: A decontamination area should be established in an area that will minimize the exposure of uncontaminated employees and equipment to contamination. The area must be far enough away from the scene of the emergency to avoid contamination, yet close enough to the scene to be readily available when needed and not cause off-site contamination. A decontamination area should consist of, at a minimum, a change area where contaminated clothing may be removed and left behind for cleaning, and a shower where personnel involved in the emergency may be decontaminated. When decontaminating protective clothing and emergency equipment, materials used in the decontamination process (water, rags, and soap solutions) must be contained and disposed of properly. Some protective clothing and emergency equipment may not be cleanable or not be worth cleaning due to time, expense, or the generation of more hazardous waste than is necessary. Consideration may be given to simply properly disposing of clothing and equipment rather than cleaning it. All equipment and materials used for decontamination must be cleaned and/or disposed of properly. All decontamination process effluents must be collected and contained. Consideration must be given to whether or not rinse waters, tools, and other materials and equipment used in the decontamination process are hazardous wastes. The facility must be decontaminated and restored to a healthy and safe working environment before normal branch operations are resumed. All structures, equipment, and materials affected by the emergency must be decontaminated. All structures, equipment, and materials no longer suitable for their originally intended purpose (in an unsafe condition) must be removed, secured, or made safe. All safety equipment and personal