Why must fuel spills, chemical leaks and other hazardous accidents tie up traffic so long? To keep a bad situation from getting worse, says Lisa McCormick, an instructor at the UAB Center for Labor Education and Research (CLEAR). Police, firefighters and others trained to respond to hazardous materials (hazmat) incidents must determine the nature of the hazard before rescuers can help the injured. Determining exactly what the hazard is may take time and numerous telephone calls. Once that's determined, responders work to safeguard human lives -- sometimes by evacuating the area or stopping or re-routing traffic. Then they attack the hazard, which also takes time. It may inconvenience some members of the public, but the alternative is risking lives.
Contact Jennifer Park, Media Relations, 205-934-3888 or [email protected].
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