Site Control Measures

Work Zones  

Site Control is established by isolating and controlling entry/exit. The purpose of site access control is to control the movement of people into and out of the area of concern and to limit the potential

for increased spread and exposure to the agent and also monitoring the agent for indications of spread. Site Access Control is established by setting up Control Lines (barrier type) and establishing Control Zones.

To ensure against the accidental spread of hazardous agents by workers from contaminated areas to clean areas, zones will be delineated where intrusive investigative activities occur, and the flow of personnel in these zones will be controlled.
The establishment of work zones will help ensure:

• personnel are properly protected against the hazards present where they are working,
• work activities and contamination are confined to the appropriate areas,
• personnel can be located and evacuated in an emergency

This site is divided into three (3) major zones, described below and shown in Figure 7-1.  These zones are characterized by presence or absence of biological and chemical hazards and the activities performed within them.
Zone boundaries are clearly marked at all times and the flow of personnel among the zones is controlled.
The site is monitored for changing conditions that may warrant adjustment of zone boundaries.  Zone boundaries are adjusted as necessary to protect personnel and clean areas.  Whenever boundaries are adjusted, zone markings are also changed and workers are immediately notified of the change.

Work zones used during deployment activities, as deemed necessary by the Incident Commander with Incident Safety Officer assistance, will include:

• Exclusion (HOT) Zone—the potentially contaminated or unsafe areas. Personnel and equipment will enter and exit the Exclusion Zone from the designated access points in the Contamination Reduction Zone (CRZ), shown in Figure 7-1. Personnel in the Exclusion Zone will adhere to the established work procedure 
• Contamination Reduction (WARM) Zone [CRZ]—the area where decontamination of PPE takes place.  Based on monitoring results, the CRZ boundaries may be adjusted to ensure that the Support Zone remains uncontaminated. Workers and equipment exit the Exclusion Zone through the designated access point(s) into the CRZ.  Workers and equipment are then decontaminated in the CRZ, according to the procedures specified in the Decontamination section of the HASP.  Workers and equipment then exit the CRZ into the Support Zone through the designated access points, shown in Figure 7-1. If necessary, emergency decontamination procedures are implemented. Emergency decontamination procedures are described in the emergency response program.
• Decon (Decontamination) Corridor--The Decon Corridor is the area between the Hot Zone Control Line and the Warm Zone Control Line where decontamination of personnel and equipment takes place. Entry Teams enter and exit the Hot Zone through the access control points that are located at each end of the Decon Corridor.
• Support (COLD) Zone—the uncontaminated area where workers should not be exposed to hazardous conditions. The Support Zone is the clean area of the site, beyond the outer boundary of the CRZ.  There should be no contamination in this zone. Administrative, clerical, and other support functions are based in the Support Zone. Air and surface monitoring are conducted in the Support Zone as needed to ensure that it remains uncontaminated.  If contamination is detected, zone boundaries are adjusted until corrective action is taken and monitoring results indicate that this zone is again uncontaminated.

A "hotline" where personnel routinely enter or exit the exclusion zone will be located upwind from the exclusion zone, whenever possible.
All work zones will be adequately marked using signs and fencing, traffic cones and caution tape.

Access to the exclusion zone and CRZ will be strictly limited to individuals who meet all medical monitoring, training, and PPE requirements.

Criteria for Establishing Zones

The initial control zone to be established will be the Warm Zone by placing yellow “Warm” Zone Control Line barrier tape around the incident. People will be evacuated from any area within this zone.

Isolation

No person shall exit or be removed from a Hot Zone until they have been properly decontaminated or it has been confirmed to be safe to remove them without first being decontaminated.
No person shall be allowed into a Warm or Hot Zone without the proper level of personnel protective equipment as specified by the Safety Officer.

No person shall enter a Hot Zone prior to the establishment of a Decontamination Area.
Once entry has been made into the Hot Zone, no one who remains in the Warm Zone will be allowed to exit into the Cold Zone until they have been decontaminated or checked for contamination.