What must responders check for prior to leaving the warm zone?

Prior to leaving the warm zone, responders must check for residual contamination to ensure that they are not carrying hazardous materials away from the incident site. The warm zone serves as a transition area between the hot zone, where the hazardous materials are present, and the cold zone, which is a clean area. Checking for residual contamination is crucial to prevent the spread of hazardous substances and protect the health and safety of all personnel involved.

If responders carry any remaining contamination with them out of the warm zone, it can lead to exposure to themselves and others, and it could compromise the integrity of the decontamination process. Ensuring that all gear, equipment, and personnel are free from residual contaminants before proceeding to the cold zone is a vital step in managing hazmat incidents safely and effectively, maintaining the integrity of public health and safety protocols.