Spill Containment Blog

Spill Containment Blog

Spill Containment and Spill Cleanup Solutions

OSHA Guidelines For Labeling Laboratory Chemicals

by

Containers labeled in laboratory.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a set of labeling guidelines in place for chemicals being used, stored or otherwise handled in laboratories. Whether it’s a medical, clinical, industrial or academic lab, laboratories of all shapes and sizes frequently house a variety of potentially dangerous chemicals. These chemicals may include carcinogens,ย irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, and highly acidic substances. In an effort to protect workers from the negative effects of such chemicals, the OSHA has a set of rules in place regarding the labeling of lab chemicals.

Is There an OSHA Standard For Lab Chemicals?

Before we go into the exact labeling requirements for lab chemicals, it’s important to note that the OSHA has a standard —ย Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.1450, Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories — in place for lab chemicals. Lab managers and employees can refer to this standard to learn more about what’s acceptable and what’s not in a lab environment. (seeย https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=10106&p_table=STANDARDS for more information).

The OSHA standard for lab chemicals also requires employers to routinely monitor their employees for chemical exposure. According to the OSHA’s official website, employers “must periodically measure employee exposures to harmful substances if you suspect that these exposures are routinely above the action level (i.e., the threshold for increased compliance activities such as air monitoring and medical examinations).” However, monitoring is only required when the chemical levels are above the “action” level.

Key OSHA Points of Lab Chemical Labeling:

  • Chemical must be clearly stated on the label.
  • If the chemical is hazardous, the container must include a warning about the respective hazard (eg: eye irritant, skin irritant, etc.)
  • Manufacturer’s name and address must be displayed on the label.
  • Hazard warning must be written in English and include words, pictures, symbols, or a combination of the three.

Secondary Container Labeling

It’s not uncommon for laboratories to use beakers, flasks and other secondary containers to transfer small amounts of chemicals to and from different locations. Normally, these secondary containers are not ย required to possess a label; however, there are certain instances when the OSHA regulations may include them.

Labeling secondary containers is necessary when one or more of the following occurs:

  • The worker who made the transfer does not use the chemical in his or her shift.
  • The worker who made the transfer exits the area.
  • The secondary container is moved to a new area.

Fast-Response Products For Chemical Spills In The Workplace

by

Chemicals labelTime is of the essence when it comes to containing and cleaning spills in the workplace. Earlier this month, 300,000 West Virginia residents were left without drinkable tap water when 7,500 gallons of a coal-cleaning chemical leaked out of a storage tank before ending up in the Elk River. You can read more about the West Virginia chemical spill in our previous blog post. Perhaps if the chemical leak was identified earlier, and crews took the appropriate steps to contain it, this incident would have never occurred.

Of course, this is just one of the reasons why companies should keep fast-response products on hand. Crews must work vigilantly to contain and clean up the spilled chemical to minimize its impact. Waiting around ‘contemplating’ ย the next move in a spill cleanup will only allow the problem to grow worse. But what exactly is a “fast-response” product? And which ones should you keep in the workplace? To learn the answers to these questions and more, keep reading.

Granular Absorbents

One product that falls under the category of fast response is granular absorbents. This stuff, shown in the image to the right, is designed to quickly absorb liquids on contact. Whether it’s oils, solvents, lubricants, coolants, water or any other non-aggressive liquid, you can quickly clean it using a granular absorbent product.

bag of Gran-Sorb absorbent granules

Granular absorbent product

Some of the most popular and commonly used granular absorbents includeย Grab-sorb, Super Sorbent, Peat Moss Absorbent and Corn Cob Absorbent, all of which are produced using recycled or all-natural materials. This means you can safely use it to clean up spills without fear of polluting the environment or your surroundings with additional chemicals.

Absorbent Socks

Another fast-response product for cleaning up workplace chemical spills are absorbent socks. No, this isn’t the type of sock you wear on your feet (although it looks quite similar). Absorbent socks are specially designed tubes filled with a highly absorbent material, such as polypropylene. When a chemical spill occurs, you can toss a couple of these into the heart of the spill to quickly absorb it.

Absorbent socks come in a wide variety of styles, including universal, oil, hazmat and corn cob.

So, which of these fast-response products should you keep on hand in your workplace? As the old saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry, holds true. The exact items for a spill response kit varies depending on which chemicals the company uses; however, you can never have too many socks and granular absorbents on hand for emergency situations.

What Is a HAZCOM Plan? And What Should It Include?

by

Biohazard waste labelA hazardous communications plan (HAZCOM for short) is a comprehensive document which outlines vital information regarding a company’s safety practices, chemical labeling, training and potential workplace hazards.

Many companies overlook the importance of a HAZCOM plan, leaving them vulnerable to OSHA fines and sanctions. A HAZCOM plan is more than a luxury; it’s a necessity that companies need to include in their daily operations. But what exactly is a HAZCOM plan? And what information should it include? To learn the answers to these questions and more, keep reading.

What is the purpose of a HAZCOM plan?

There are two primary functions of a HAZCOM plan:

1) To provide vital information regarding potential hazards and safety in the workplace. If an employee has a question or concern regarding workplace safety, they can refer to the HAZCOM plan for more information. It’s focus is to communicate safety information to employees and individuals (hence the name).

Some HAZCOM plans are relatively short, while others are more complex; the size varies depending on the company’s size, industry and workplace. Small companies operating out of a small shop will naturally have shorter HAZCOM plans than some large company with 100+ employees working in an industrial factory, so keep this in mind when creating your HAZCOM plan.

2) To show an EPA and/or OSHA compliance offer.ย A second function of the HAZCOM plan is to provide a general outline and guide for EPA/OSHA compliance officers. If an officer shows up to your place of business, one of the first things they will likely ask to see is the HAZCOM plan. And if you don’t have one ready, you could end up in hot water before the inspection even begins. Thankfully, creating a HAZCOM plan is a fairly easy and straightforward process.

What To Include In a HAZCOM Plan

  • HAZCOM Policy/Purpose – Statement detailing the purpose of your HAZCOM plan; eg: to create a safer work environment while reducing employee accidents and injuries.
  • Responsibility – Define administrative roles in your company along with their respective duties and responsibilities.
  • Materials and Inventory – Detailed list describing the types of chemicals, materials and inventory included your workplace.
  • Labeling – How your company labels its hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
  • Training – Describes your company’s employee training program.
  • Compliance – Actions your company takes to remain EPA/OSHA compliant.

For more information on how to create a HAZCOM plan, check out the official OSHA website.

Proper Fuel Drum Storage: Safeguarding Against Spills

by

stacks of metal storage drumsFuel is both flammable and toxic to the environment, which is why companies need to safely store it where there’s little-to-no chance of a spill. Allowing fuel to spill or even drip in the workplace creates a dangerous scenario for nearby employees. If someone were to slip and fall on an area that’s slick with fuel, the company could be held liable for their injuries.

So, what’s the best way to store fuel? And what items should a fuel spill kit contain? To learn the answers to these questions and more, keep reading.

Fuel Cans

Depending on the size, scope and overall operations of your business, a couple small fuel cans may offer adequate fuel storage. You can them available for sale at most major home improvement stores for about $5-$20 a piece, allowing businesses and individual to safely store their fuel. When choosing fuel cans for your workplace, check to make sure they have a functional nozzle that’s easily to take on and off. Also, make sure the can is labeled specifically for gasoline/fuel.

Fuel Storage Drums

Of course, some companies may require something larger than a couple of fuel cans. If your company handles and/or uses a moderately large quantity of fuel, you should consider using a storage drum. These drums are designed to withstand the corrosive properties of fuel, preventing it from escaping and spilling onto the floor. A typical storage drum can hold up to 30 gallons of fuel, making them an excellent alternative to small cans.

If you plan on using fuel storage drums in your workplace, you should invest in some drip pans to safeguard against spills. Although this isn’t applicable for all drums, some have nozzles on the bottom which allow the user to extract fuel. It’s not uncommon for fuel to continue dripping from the nozzle once it’s turned off, spilling onto the floor where it creates a serious hazard for workers. Placing a drip pan underneath the nozzle, however, will catch any excess fuel dripping from the nozzle.

Fuel Spill Preparation Tips

As the old adage goes — hope for the best but prepare for the worst — holds true in the workplace. Companies should take measures to prepare themselves in the event of a fuel spill. This includes purchasing absorbent towels, socks, booms and berms. In addition, companies should also train their employees on how to use these items. Even if a spill never happens, being prepared will give you peace of mind at night.

What Is Hazardous Waste?

by

hazardous waste drum on its sideIt’s important for companies to fully understand the definition of ‘hazardous waste’ in order to provide a safe, EPA-compliant workplace that’s not a threat to workers or the environment. But what exactly is the definition of hazardous waste? And what steps should companies take to prevent the chance of spills and accidents from occurring? To learn the answers to these questions and more, keep reading.

Hazardous Waste: Defined

Hazardous waste is technically defined as “dangerous or potentially harmful to our health or the environment. Hazardous wastes can be liquids, solids, gases, or sludges. They can be discarded commercial products, like cleaning fluids or pesticides, or the by-products of manufacturing processes.” This definition is somewhat general, leaving companies to speculate even further as to what’s hazardous and what’s not.

Different Types of Hazardous Waste

According to the EPA, hazardous waste typically falls under one of four different categories. Please refer to the list below for a brief overview of the different types of hazardous waste:

  • Listed Wastes – Specific wastes identified and listed by the EPA in either the F, K, P and/or U list. The EPA is constantly adding new hazardous wastes to these lists, so companies should take a proactive approach towards identifying new wastes. These lists are readily available for companies to view.
  • Characteristics Wastes – Although they aren’t specifically listed under the F, K, P and/or U ‘listed’ wastes, characteristic wastes exhibit ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity properties. This, of course, makes them dangerous to both humans and the environment when not properly stores or maintained.
  • Universal Wastes – This is a rather unique type of hazardous waste, as it’s a general ‘catch all’ for hazardous materials. Mercury thermometers (yes, people still use them), compact fluorescent light bulbs, and batteries all fall under the category of universal wastes.
  • Mixed Wastes – Mixed wastes contain both ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity.

How To Identify Hazardous Waste In The Workplace

Each of the previously mentioned types of hazardous wastes require a different approach to storing, maintaining and processing. However, companies first need to identify which hazardous waste types are used in their workplace. The easiest way to accomplish this is by following the Hazardous Waste Identification Guide outlined at the EPA’s official website. It walks you through the process with a set of four questions. As you answer each question, it will narrow your hazardous waste down to a specific type. Then, you can select the proper hazardous waste containers.