Understanding a hazardous spill response
Hazardous chemicals can be found in practically every type of organisation, and every employee should be informed of what to do in an emergency or clean-up situation. Specific protocols are in place, as are certain personnel in charge of those procedures. When implemented correctly, these hazardous spill responses can save lives, injuries, and property.
Most of the time, the first person to report a spill is an awareness-level responder who does not help with the clean-up. When an event is reported, a dedicated person takes command and ensures that all procedures are followed.
The first step in any hazardous spill response is to cordon off the spill site as soon as possible using warning signs or caution tape. If the spill occurs indoors, the responder should immediately close air ducts and open doors and windows to allow the vapours to escape.
Following that, hazardous spill responders should construct barriers like absorbents around the spill to prevent it from spreading. Absorbent socks made of urethane, PVC, and polypropylene are typical materials for this. Socks must be disposed of as hazardous waste since they both block and absorb the hazardous spill. On the other hand, flexible barriers just hold spills rather than absorb them. They may be washed and reused. Sandbags are not intended to absorb harmful chemicals and should never be used for cleaning. The barriers must keep the hazardous spill materials from entering storm drains or sewers and polluting the environment.
At this point of the hazardous spill response, a hazardous material (hazmat) technician assumes command. This person will define the nature of the spill by determining the chemicals in the spill and the hazards. This classification is done by using direct-reading devices that provide instant information on environmental factors. Among the equipment available are combustible gas monitors, detector tubes, and field survey meters. The hazardous spill response technician should also look out for potentially dangerous open pits and stacks of debris.
Once the site has been described, the dedicated hazardous spill responder will determine whether the spill requires special treatment. This person will then issue the relevant orders. Most of the time, an absorbent substance is used to clean up the spill. These compounds, which are frequently granular in form, absorb the hazardous materials and are non-reactive to the chemicals they absorb. After that, disposable, non-reactive absorbent blankets absorb the leftover material. After that, the blankets and chemicals are disposed of in an OSHA-approved container.
Although this process is usually safe, if a chemical is combustible or near electricity, further precautions in the hazardous spill response should be taken during shovelling, like wearing non-sparking gloves and turning off any electronic equipment before cleaning.
Finally, the contaminated item will be taken to an EPA-approved hazardous materials disposal facility, where it is either cleaned and reused or rendered non-hazardous and disposed of in a landfill.
Everyone engaged in a hazardous spill response must follow decontamination procedures. This may require employees to walk through stations where their personal protective equipment (PPE) is thoroughly washed with water and detergent. This washing solution is then disposed of, and the workers are instructed to shower. At this point, the cleaning is complete.
Everyone has a role to play in a hazardous spill response. Therefore, every person in your organisation must be familiar with the hazardous spill response so they can aid in preventing injuries and finishing the clean-up appropriately.
Contact ENSA for details
Although each organisation will oversee their hazardous spill response, ENSA can help create the appropriate plan and provide the correct hazardous spill response kit. The components within each hazardous spill response kit work well on their own. However, they should be used in tandem to ensure that hazardous or unknown liquid spills are wholly contained and cleaned up. Therefore, a well-thought-out hazardous spill response strategy should be created with a mix of these various chemical absorbents.
ENSA provides a range of hazardous material absorbents. If you want to know more about how we can assist with creating a hazardous spill response strategy, get in touch with a representative from ENSA Environmental today.