01 - Why Decontaminate?

Why Decontaminate? is title one of four in Action Training Systems' HAZMAT Decontamination series, and SkillsTrain, the authorised ATS distributor, supplies it locally as part of that series. It builds the reasoning behind decontamination, why it matters and when it is required, before the series moves into the practical procedures that follow.

The title explains the importance of removing or reducing contaminants to a safe level, and it sets out the acute and chronic health risks that hazardous materials pose, which is what gives decontamination its urgency. It teaches the basic rule that runs through all of it, to get the contaminant off, keep it off, and contain it, and it describes the difference between primary and secondary contamination along with the routes by which a substance enters the body. It then demonstrates six physical and six chemical decontamination methods and makes the case for a decontamination policy that allows no exceptions.

It sits within ATS's HAZMAT range, aligned to NFPA 470 and positioned for OSHA HAZWOPER content, and uses the teach, test and track model that assesses the learner and replays any section answered incorrectly. The programme runs about 21 minutes and is supplied on USB or as a classroom streaming option, individually or as part of the complete four-title series.

The complete four-title series continues with Decontamination Procedures, Handling Contaminated Victims, and Mass Decontamination, covering routine, technical and mass decontamination situations in turn.

Who it is for: responders beginning decontamination training, and training officers opening a structured decontamination programme.