Policy Text
Clandestine laboratory investigation and response
Purpose of the
order The purpose of this order is to establish procedures for the sa fe and
effective response to c landestine drug labs.
This order outlines responsibilities, training, equipment, medi cal and
surveillance procedur es for personnel involve d in clandestine l aboratory
investigations and responses a nd dealing with children and susp ects
exposed to clandestine labs.
General policy Due to the hazardous nature of clandestine labs, only personnel with proper
training and equipment should be directly involved in securing and
dismantlin g activities.
Lab team
responsibility It shall be the responsibility of the designated lab investigat ion team(s) to
investi gate and res pond to clandestine drug labs.
Case agent
responsibility The case agent for each lab investigation is responsible for co mpleting a
Hazardous Ex posure Re port.
Bureau
supervisor’s responsibility A. The Unit Supervisor shall insure Hazardous Exposure Reports are
accurate and maintained by t he Division Secretary.
B. Unit Supervisors, or their designees, will take into considerat ion the
following factors when determini ng the appropriate level of res ponse to
a lab scene or entry:
1. size of operation
2. stage of operation
3. chemicals involved
4. location of site
5. threat to nearby persons and structures
6. weather
7. available personnel
C. The Unit Sergeants shall maintai n current regulations, which go vern lab
safety and hazardous waste site activities and material data sa fety sheets
for the most commonl y, found clandestine lab chemicals.
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Department’s
responsibility It is the responsibil ity of the Department to incur all costs f or safety
equipment, annual medical screenin g and a ppropriate trainin g.
N.I.D.’s
responsibility The following describes the Narcot ics Investigation Division’s (N.I.D.)
responsibility regarding respons e and investigation of clandest ine labs.
A. The Narcotic Investigation Division shall accept responsibility for
investigation and res ponding to all clandest ine lab events init iated by
departmental personnel within the jurisdiction of the Sheriff’s
Department.
B. This Division may choose to accep t responsibility for any other
clandestine lab investigations i nitiated by other agencies/pers onnel
within the jurisdiction of t he Sheriff’s Department.
C. The Narcotics Investigation Div ision is authorized to conduct l aboratory
investigations and responses as necessary in jurisdictions outs ide the
County of Sacramento provided the local agency effected is prop erly
notified and a grees to yield jurisdiction.
Required
training for all personnel The following list describes required training for all personne l assigned to
investigate clandestine labs.
A. All personnel assigned to investig ate clandestine drug labs sha ll
complete the following training prior to entering, dismantling or
thoroughly investigating any cla ndestine laboratory without sup ervision
from a trained la b investigator:
B. A 40-hour lab safety course (e.g., C LANWOPPER; DOJ Lab Safety
Certification or DEA La b Safety Certification).
C. First aid within the l ast three years.
D. CPR within the last year.
Annual or
periodic training for all Major Investigations Personnel All Narcotic Investig ation Division Personne l shall complete th e following
annual or periodic training:
A. Respirator maintenance.
B. Lab safet
y review (8 hours ).
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Required
protective equipment The following list describes prot ective safety equipment requir ed for
clandestine lab operations.
A. All lab investigati on personnel are responsib le for carrying an d
maintaining the necessary persona l protective safety equipment for
clandestine lab operations.
B. This equipment shall satisfy U.S . EPA Guidelines for Level B or lower,
and include an air purifying respi rator, NOMEX outer wear, hood ed
chemical resistant clothing, c hemical resistant outer and inner gloves
and chemical resistant boots.
C. Supervisors shall additionally c arry self-contained breathing a pparatus
and air monitoring devices.
D. The lab response trailer shall be kept supplied with safety equ ipment
and ma y be used at the discretion of a su pervisor.
Policy on medical
surveillance and testing The following list describes th e N.I.D.’s policy on medical tes ting for all
personnel assigned to inves tigate clandestine labs.
A. All personnel designated to inves tigate drug labs shall undergo an
annual baseline medical testing.
1. This testing will include an occupational medical history, a ph ysical
exam, blood chemistry screen, pu lmonary function and spirometry
testing and an air-purifying r espirator fit test.
2. A stress treadmill exercise test may be required at the discret ion of
the examining physician.
B. All personnel designated as lab i nvestigators shall be certifie d for
clandestine laboratory duty by the current baseline medical tes ting
program.
C. All personnel shall cooperate fu lly with the medical testing st aff and
provide any requested medical reco rds or submit to required tes ting.
D. Failure to successfully complete medical testing will result in
cancellation of the investi gator’s lab desi gnation.
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