Facility Safety Management

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Spill Control and Prevention

Have a Cleanup Plan and Materials Readily Available

When a chemical spill occurs – however large or small – the individual responsible for it or the space in which it occurred must ensure prompt and proper clean up. It is also that person’s responsibility to have available spill control and personal protective equipment appropriate for the chemicals being handled.

To prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants to drainage systems or watercourses from leaks and spills, the California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) requires that facility managers train employees to reduce the chance for spills, eliminate the source of spills, and when they do happen to contain and clean up spills quickly, disposing of spill materials properly.

To the extent that the work can be accomplished safely, spills of oil, petroleum products, substances listed under 40 CFR parts 110, 117, and 302, and sanitary and septic wastes should be contained and cleaned up immediately.

CASQA mandates that facilities do the following to prevent spills:

• Store hazardous materials and wastes in covered containers and protect from vandalism;

• Place a stockpile of spill cleanup materials where it will be readily accessible;

• Train employees in spill prevention and cleanup;

• Designate responsible individuals to oversee and enforce control measures;

• Spills should be covered and protected from storm water run-on during rainfall to the extent that it doesn’t compromise clean up activities;

• Do not bury or wash spills with water;

• Store and dispose of used clean up materials, contaminated materials, and recovered spill material that is no longer suitable for the intended purpose in conformance with the provisions in applicable best management practices (BMP);

• Do not allow water used for cleaning and decontamination to enter storm drains or watercourses. Collect and dispose of contaminated water in accordance with WM-10, Liquid Waste Management;

• Contain water overflow or minor water spillage and do not allow it to discharge into drainage facilities or watercourses;

• Place proper storage, cleanup, and spill reporting instructions for hazardous materials stored or used on the project site in an open, conspicuous, and accessible location;

• Keep waste storage areas clean, well organized, and equipped with ample cleanup supplies as appropriate for the materials being stored. Perimeter controls, containment structures, covers, and liners should be repaired or replaced as needed to maintain proper function.

Clean up leaks and spills immediately. Use a rag for small spills on paved surfaces, a damp mop for general cleanup, and absorbent material for larger spills. If the spilled material is hazardous, then the used cleanup materials are also hazardous and must be sent to either a certified laundry (rags) or disposed of as hazardous waste.

Never hose down or bury dry material spills. Clean up as much of the material as possible and dispose of properly.

Minor Spills

Minor spills typically involve small quantities of oil, gasoline, paint, etc. which can be controlled by the first responder at the discovery of the spill. To do so, use absorbent materials on small spills rather than hosing down or burying the spill. Absorbent materials should be promptly removed and disposed of properly.

For a minor spill, contain the spread of the spill; recover spilled materials; clean the contaminated area and properly dispose of contaminated materials.

Semi-Significant Spills

Semi-significant spills still can be controlled by the first responder along with the aid of other personnel such as laborers and a foreman, etc. This response may require the cessation of all other activities.

Spills should be cleaned up immediately.

If the spill occurs on paved or impermeable surfaces, clean up using “dry” methods (absorbent materials, cat litter and/or rags). Contain the spill by encircling with absorbent materials and do not let the spill spread widely.

If the spill occurs in dirt areas, immediately contain the spill by constructing an earthen dike. Dig up and properly dispose of contaminated soil. If the spill occurs during rain, cover spill with tarps or other material to prevent contaminating runoff.

Significant/Hazardous Spills

For significant or hazardous spills that cannot be controlled by personnel in the immediate vicinity, the following steps should be taken:

Notify the local emergency response by dialing 911. In addition to 911, notify the proper county officials. It is the facility’s or contractor’s responsibility to have all emergency phone numbers on site.

For spills of federal reportable quantities, in conformance with the requirements in 40 CFR parts 110, 119 and 302, notify the National Response Center at (800) 424-8802.

Notification should first be made by telephone and followed up with a written report. The services of a spills contractor or a Haz-Mat team should be obtained immediately. Unqualified personnel should not attempt to clean up until the appropriate and qualified staffs have arrived at the job site.

Reporting

Report significant spills to local agencies, such as the fire department; they can assist in cleanup.

Federal regulations require that any significant oil spill into a water body or onto an adjoining shoreline be reported to the National Response Center (NRC) at 800-424-8802.

Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance

If maintenance must occur onsite, use a designated area and a secondary containment, located away from drainage courses, to prevent the run-on of storm water and the runoff of spills. Regularly inspect onsite vehicles and equipment for leaks, and repair immediately.

Check incoming vehicles and equipment (including delivery trucks, and employee and subcontractor vehicles) for leaking oil and fluids. Do not allow leaking vehicles or equipment onsite.

Always use secondary containment, such as a drain pan or drop cloth, to catch spills or leaks when removing or changing fluids. Place drip pans or absorbent materials under paving equipment when not in use. Use absorbent materials on small spills rather than hosing down or burying the spill. Remove the absorbent materials promptly and dispose of properly.

Promptly transfer used fluids to the proper waste or recycling drums. Don’t leave full drip pans or other open containers lying around Oil filters disposed of in trashcans or dumpsters can leak oil and pollute storm water. Place the oil filter in a funnel over a waste oil-recycling drum to drain excess oil before disposal.

Oil filters can also be recycled. Ask an oil supplier or recycler about recycling oil filters.

Store cracked batteries in a non-leaking secondary container. Do this with all cracked batteries even if you think all the acid has drained out. If you drop a battery, treat it as if it is cracked. Put it into the containment area until you are sure it is not leaking.

If fueling must occur onsite, use designated areas, located away from drainage courses, to prevent the run-on of storm water and the runoff of spills.

Discourage “topping off” of fuel tanks, and always use secondary containment, such as a drain pan, when fueling to catch spills/leaks.

Costs

Prevention of leaks and spills is inexpensive. Treatment and/ or disposal of contaminated soil or water can be quite expensive.

Inspect and verify that activity–based BMPs are in place prior to the commencement of associated activities.

While activities associated with the BMP are under way, inspect weekly during the rainy season and in two-week intervals in the non-rainy season to verify continued BMP implementation.

Inspect BMPs subject to non-storm water discharge daily while non-storm water discharges occur.

Keep ample supplies of spill control and cleanup materials onsite, near storage, unloading, and maintenance areas. Update your spill prevention and control plan and stock cleanup materials as changes occur in the types of chemicals onsite. FSM

Source: California Stormwater Quality Association