00474682

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Over the past 5 years, the author has been contacted several times to provide information and expertise in the cases of accidents involving hazardous materials transportation. In examining the response role of the first intervention personnel, it has been found that the real information problem could be reduced to three basic issues--identification of the appropriate product, protection, and action. Close cooperation with the Geel fire brigade and the computer center of the Geel Polytechnic allowed the establishment of a computer-aided information program, with information on nearly 60,000 products. A permanent team of 10 menbers, 7 of which are chemists, provides a permanent 24-hr source of information. The basic principle was to make available to the response personnel in the event of an accident, immediate, clear, structured, and brief details about the course of action to be taken in the initial phase. The program is primarily an action-oriented tool, and as such, differs from the available data banks. The program has been built up in such a way that the information can be requested and dispatched in four different languages: Dutch, French, English, and German. In the near future, up to eight languages will be available. Access to the information system can be obtained by United Nations number, product name, or internal Belgium Information Center--Dangerous Goods (BIG) number. The computer returns with the corresponding hazardous chemical (Hazchem) code so that immediate action can be taken. Ten different information modules are available. To save time, the most important facts appear illuminated and flashing on the terminal screen. On the printed hard copy, the most important facts are indicated with an asterisk.

This paper appears in State-of-the-Art Report 3, Addendum: Recent Advances in Hazardous Materials Transportation Research: An International Exchange. The paper was presented at the Conference on Recent Advances in Hazardous Materials Transportation Research: An International Exchange held in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, November 10-13, 1985.

Addendum

p. 10-16

1987

State-of-the-Art Report

0-309-03973-8

Figures (3) ; Tables (1)

Access; Conferences; Disasters and emergency operations; Hazardous materials; Information processing; Information systems; Language; Transportation

Emergency response

Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; Transportation (General); I72: Traffic and Transport Planning

TRIS, TRB

Oct 31 1987 12:00AM

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