Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Hazardous Materials
Module Code	BE514
School	DCUBS
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Rosaleen Devery Semester 2: Rosaleen Devery Autumn: Rosaleen Devery
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

The objective of this module is to provide students with knowledge of how to deal with incidents involving normal hazardous materials and terrorist usage of conventional explosives, chemical substances, biological agents, radiological agents and nuclear material.

Learning Outcomes

1. List principles of safe working with hazardous materials; Describe situations where incidents involving hazardous materials can occur
2. Describe health effects associated with particular physical, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials
3. Map how hazardous materials enter and move through the body and environment
4. Plan appropriate strategies to minimize personal and public exposure from hazardous materials
5. Prepare an emergency plan that will minimize personal and public exposure from hazardous materials; Identify systems, plans and procedures that must be implemented and tested to ensure preparedness for emergency
6. Train staff who will be required to respond to an emergency; Audit and assess preparedness
7. Construct reasoned arguments to support their position on how to respond to an emergency involving hazardous materials

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Total Workload: 0

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Biological agents.
i. Classification: viruses, bacteria, toxins, rickettsiaeii. Symptoms of exposureiii. Response scenarios & protocolsiv. Early warning surveillance signsv. Protective clothing & Specialised equipmentvi. Incident managementvii. Laboratory confirmationviii. Decontaminationix. Evidence Collection.

Chemical Agents.
i. Classification: Lethal, blister, choking, incapacitatingii. Effects of exposureiii. Response Considerationsiv. Protective Clothingv. Taping proceduresvi. Detectionvii. Decontaminationviii. Properties & effects of selected Chemical agentsix. Resources for response to chemical agents incidents.

Nuclear Agents.
i. Radiationii. Potential scenariosiii. Emergency Responseiv. Medical issuesv. Potassium Iodidevi. Hospital SOPsvii. Children & Radiation Poisoningviii. Alleviating Public panicix. Monitoring and decontamination at radiological events.

Overview of guidelines, regulations that cover biological, chemical and nuclear hazards in workplace.
i. HPSCii. HSAiii. EPAiv. RPII.

Case Studies.
i. biological incidents,ii. agricultural emergencies,iii. explosions and blast injuries ,iv. toxic chemical releases from industrial outlets,v. radioactive/nuclear accidents.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Report (s) (written / oral)	Assignment of Hazardous Material Topic to individuals	30%	Sem 1 End
Report (s) (written / oral)	Individual Stakeholder Report on an assigned Case Study	30%	Week 9
Presentation	Work in group to identify key issues in case study, demonstrate know how on staff training, how to audit and assess preparedness	20%	Week 10
Report (s) (written / oral)	Peer Review of Case Study by Group	20%	Sem 1 End

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

MSEM

MSc in Emergency Management

PBSSA

PG Exchange(Business School)

PBSSAO

PG Study Abroad(Business School)

Timetable this semester: Timetable for BE514