Spill Containment Blog

Spill Containment Blog

Spill Containment and Spill Cleanup Solutions

What Is Important For Spill Containment?

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Spill containment is a necessary and important responsibility for many businesses. Because spills happen every day. Due to accidents, breakages, leaks, or even negligence and intentional acts.

In the event of a spill, following best practices is essential to protect people and the environment. Particularly when the spill involves a hazardous material.

This article will explore some key concepts on what’s important for spill containment. Including an overview of spill response regulations and requirements that may apply in your workplace.

How Does Spill Containment Work?

Spill containment means stopping and preventing a spill from spreading. By confining water, chemical, or other hazardous liquids within a barrier or drainage area. Containing a spillage minimizes exposing people, plants, stormwater, the ground, and more to harm or hazardous materials.

This practice fits within a company’s spill response plan. Which details how to prevent, control, and clean up potential spills. Being especially important for facilities with hazardous chemicals that could spill and cause harm.

drum spill pallet
A spill pallet offers a good solution for 55-gallon drum containment

Containment equipment includes things like spill containment berms, dikes, or drainage sumps. Tools such as absorbent booms or socks help deal with smaller spills.

Similarly, secondary containment systems offer a backup spill solution should a primary container or structure fail. For instance, a spill pallet or spill deck can capture the contents of a leaking 55-gallon drum or tote.

Why is Spill Containment Important?

We briefly introduced two reasons why spill containment matters so much: safeguarding people and the environment.

In short, spill containment helps protect your business—and bottom line—by avoiding any or all of the following:

  • Injury to personnel
  • Risk of fire or explosion due to flammable material spills
  • Loss of business and productivity
  • Land or water environmental pollution
  • Equipment and building damages
  • Resource and material wastage
  • Time and effort for costly cleaning and decontamination procedures
  • Fines for non-compliance with spill regulations.

Which Spill Containment Rules and Regulations Apply?

In the United States, multiple governing bodies work together to oversee spill regulations. We’ll focus on two of the major agencies:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

These two rules require facilities to meet certain criteria and have plans in place. For example, oil production sites as well as some agricultural, farming, and chemical plant operations.

Secondary containment is a requirement for sites using bulk storage containers with a capacity of 55 gallons or more. And a spill plan demonstrating an ability to respond to a worst-case scenario that may cause substantial harm. Worst-case being a failure of the largest container in or on the secondary containment device or structure.

All FRP facilities require an SPCC Plan, but not all SPCC facilities require an FRP. Each plan serves a slightly different purpose and therefore operates as a separate document. Although some sections may duplicate each other.

Refer to the EPA website to determine your facility’s spill control and prevention requirements:

For sites with underground storage tanks, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) laws may also apply. Under Title 40 of CFR parts 239 through 282.

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA)

Anything spill-related to workplace employees falls under OSHA regulations.

Such as its Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response standard CFR 1910.120 (HAZWOPER). Which aims to minimize spill responders’ exposure to hazardous waste that could affect their health or safety. For example, receiving a chemical burn due to a corrosive or acid spill.

OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2) requirement covers keeping workplace walking surfaces in a clean and dry condition. Because any liquid or oil spill coating a shop floor will quickly increase slip, trip, and fall risks.

Additionally, hazmat training programs are a must to educate employees on keeping themselves safe.

Implementing A Spill Plan

You’ve likely heard the expression that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Well, it’s no surprise that this saying extends to spills. So even if federal-level spill requirements don’t apply to your business, adopting a plan is an excellent best management practice.

The plan should cover everything from hazard identification and prevention, to personnel training and operating procedures, to spill response. Being the countermeasure resources you need to control, clean up, recover, or dispose of spillages.

Learn more in our post, Be Ready with a Job Hazard Analysis and Spill Response Plan.

Conclusion

In the workplace, spills can lead to serious business implications, including health hazards. Employees who come in contact with hazardous substances may get sick or slip over and injure themselves.

If you want to keep your business running smoothly, then you need to implement a spill plan. Make sure to keep the appropriate spill control supplies and containment solutions on hand. Because primary containers can and do fail.

Following best practice spill prevention and containment procedures will help minimize damages caused by any spill incident. Allowing your workplace to remain safe, healthy, and compliant.

If your facility needs sorbents, containment solutions, or advice, then contact us!

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between a spill kit and a containment system?

Spill kits contain absorbent materials and other clean-up equipment. You use them to help remediate spilled liquids. Meaning the kit contents are usually for one-time use before disposal.

Whereas a secondary containment system is any barrier, structure, or device that will hold a volume of hazardous materials that may spill or leak. Such as a spill containment berm with a primary container like a tote or vehicle inside it. Typically, this equipment is reusable rather than disposable. In many cases secondary systems enable the recovery of spilled products, helping reduce waste (and costs!).

What is the best way to prevent a spill?

  • Have an emergency response and spill plan in place before any accidents happen.
  • Be careful when transferring hazardous liquids to avoid potential spills. Use DOT-approved safety cans to transport fuels and other combustibles. Deploy spill berms at fueling stations and when working on oily machinery.
  • Train workers on how to recognize and control hazards like chemical spills. Ensure they familiarize themselves with safety data sheets for any material kept on-site.
  • Store chemicals correctly to prevent the container from tipping or accidental damage. Be sure that all containers used for storing liquids are properly sealed.
  • Use spill decks or other appropriate containment systems with primary containers of 55 gallons or more.
  • Regularly inspect drums and other containers for signs of damage, cracks, or other wear.

What is the best way to contain and control a spill in the workplace?

  • First, know the type of spill you are dealing with, be it a hazardous chemical or an oil spill. Immediately communicate and notify necessary personnel.
  • Make sure spill responders have the right gear. From personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves and goggles to sorbent pads.
  • Confine and control the spill. Use a dike or other tool to surround and create a barrier to prevent its spread. Use drain blockers or plugs to protect stormwater outlets.
  • Stop the source of the spill. If necessary, use emergency leak repair tools to plug and patch container holes.
  • Use spill kits with absorbent pads, socks, or granular materials to soak up the spilled liquid.
  • Clean and decontaminate the site as necessary. Then, safely dispose of spent materials following state and federal rules.
Foam wall spill berm
Portable berms are a helpful tool for containing spills

What are the different types of spill containment?

Spill systems come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and use applications. Including spill berms, dikes, pallets, decks, and drainage sumps or plugs. Steel and polyethylene are two of the most common construction materials.

Steel is typically best for fuels, solvents, and other flammable liquids. Whereas high-density polyethylene (HDPE) provides excellent resistance to a variety of chemicals, including corrosives.

Absorbent socks and booms are often useful for handling smaller spills.

Storm Water: Top 3 Best Management Practices

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What to include in your facility’s Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)

factory worker with chemical drumsUnfortunately, when it comes to spreading pollutants, nothing does it more efficiently than our very own water systems. Some materials might seem harmless when applied to a small area. For example, pesticide spray on lawns or motor oil spills on pavement. But, when the rain comes, any runoff water carries with it whatever pollutants it encounters.

In industrial areas, this risk is even higher: Manmade surfaces, such as pavement or buildings, don’t absorb water like soil does. Which results in higher volumes of storm water pollutant runoff. This means that what we throw on the ground in urban areas is likely to end up in bodies of water.

With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that there are regulations in place to try to limit industrial storm water pollution. To ensure that you stay compliant with regulation and avoid water pollution, it’s imperative that you implement certain best management practices in your Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).

A comprehensive SWPPP requires a wide variety of best management practices. However, here are three from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that are of primary importance:

1. Educate and train employees

It’s not useful to have a prevention program in place if your employees don’t know how to implement and maintain it.

Any employees who work with materials that may be exposed to storm water — as well as those who will be responsible for tasks required by your SWPPP — need to receive regular training. The EPA recommends this training occur at least annually.

Make sure to track which employees have received training at what time. That way you’ll know your staff is always fully equipped to handle any storm water concerns they may face in their day-to-day work.

2. Establish controls for properly disposing of waste and pollutants

To prevent everyday materials from ending up in storm water runoff, you need non-structural controls in place.

Non-structural controls focus on facility operations such as posted signage or defined procedures. Remember that controls also need to be regularly evaluated and updated to remain effective and relevant to your facility’s current state.

3. Understand your potential storm water pollutants

Each facility has different pollutants to deal with. Which is why it’s imperative that you put your SWPPP together with a complete foundational knowledge. Including which specific pollutants your workplace must be ready to address.

For example, anything from your vehicle-related pollutants to chemicals and trash. Make sure to analyze every part of your facility that may expose storm water to pollutants. Address each concern in your plan.

You never know when the weather will change or how long a storm could last. Which means you must make sure you prepare to deal with storm water runoff when it happens.

Angie MezaDo you have the right safety products on hand for your workplace? To find out, contact Angie Meza at angie@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

3 Best Practices for Chemical Containment

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Safety is essential when it comes to chemical containment in your workplace

safety can for chemical containmentFuels and chemicals are common and necessary tools in factories, shops, labs, warehouses, and construction sites. While some of these substances — such as gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and other combustible oils — are familiar and seemingly harmless materials to handle, safety is essential when dealing with any kind of fuel or chemical, especially in the workplace.

You can help keep your workers and business safe by using the following three-step approach for hazardous chemical spill containment.

1. Train your employees

Giving your employees the proper training for handling hazardous materials can greatly reduce the risk of injury caused by these substances. Training is also important to ensure compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines.

Employees must also understand which tools to use with the specific material they’re handling. Including wearing the appropriate level of personal protective equipment (PPE) when dealing with a chemical containment or spill issue.

2. Choose the right container

Your choice of safety container material depends on the type of chemical you need to store inside it:

  • Galvanized steel — Use when chemical purity is not essential. Some chemicals may adversely affect paint.
  • Polyethylene — Use to store acids, caustics, or other corrosive substances.
  • Stainless steel — Use when chemical purity is necessary.

The size of container you’ll need depends on how frequently the chemical is used, its applications, and where it is being used. Smaller-sized containers are recommended for a workstation, whereas larger, five-gallon containers are ideal in a field or warehouse.

3. Keep containers organized

Mixing up fuels or chemicals or accidently using the wrong substances can have catastrophic consequences. Many businesses use a container color-coding system to avoid chemical mix-ups.

In general, flammable liquids are organized and stored according to the following scheme:

type 1 and 2 safety cans

Safety cans for chemical containment come in different colors, materials and sizes to safely store and dispense contents

  • Gasoline is stored in red containers.
  • Diesel is stored in yellow containers.
  • Kerosene is stored in blue containers.
  • Oil combustibles are stored in green containers.

Most business will need to use several different types and sizes of containers to safely handle and store flammables and combustibles.

AbsorbentsOnline.com offers top-quality Eagle Safety Cans to help meet your safety compliance needs. Many of the hazardous chemical spill containment products available meet OSHA standards or NFPA Code 30 requirements, are UI and ULC listed, or are FM Approved.

By employing these three practices and using safety cans or other containers approved for chemical storage, you’ll keep your employees and worksite safer, neater, and legally compliant.

AbsorbentsOnline is here to help. Feel free to contact us by email or call toll free at (800) 869-9633.

Tips To Promote Better Safety In The Workplace

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safety-tips

Danger men working overhead warning.

Work-related accidents can place a heavy financial toll on businesses. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), more than 4.1 million U.S. workers suffer a serious injury while on the job each year. The rate of work-related injuries has dropped by roughly 60% since the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA Act) was signed into law, but it remains a topic that all employers must address.

Identifying The Cost of Work-Related Injury

It’s a common assumption among employers that the only costs associated with work-related injuries come in the form of worker’s compensation. While this is certainly one of the costs, it’s not the only one.

Other costs associated with the work-related injuries include the following:

  • Administrative expenses
  • Medical costs
  • Loss of productivity
  • Loss of wages
  • Employers’ uninsured costs
  • Reduces morale
  • Repairs and improvements to prevent future injury

Communicate

You  can’t expect to create a ‘safe’ workplace without proper communication. Let employees know that safety is a team-oriented objective and that everyone should do their part to reduce the risk of injury.

Along with verbal communication, you can also incorporate a safety bulletin board into your company’s operations. This board can serve as a general hub for information pertaining to workplace safety, including items such as fire exit routes, response guidelines for cleaning up chemical spills, poison control center phone numbers, upcoming renovation projects, etc. Just remember to place the bulletin board in a convenient, easy-to-access location so workers will notice it on a daily basis.

Offer Incentives

Another tip that’s helpful for creating a safe working environment is to offer incentives to employees who practice good safety habits. Trucking companies often reward drivers for driving 1 million miles without an accident. When a driver reaches this monumental milestone, he or she may be rewarded with a personalized trophy, gift card, bonus check or some other type of incentive. This naturally encourages drivers to use extra caution on the road.

Of course, this is just one example of incentives being used to promote safety. You can take the same principle and apply it to your workplace by rewarding workers who exhibit positive safety behavior.

Identify and Prioritize Hazards

Employers should take the time to both identify and prioritize hazards in the workplace. Potential workplace hazards vary depending on the industry, but some of the most common include slippery floors, broken machinery, buildups of gas and fumes and faulty chemical storage facilities.