Your Questions Answered

Have your staff had the appropriate training in how to deal with a spill?

View our full range of BSIF Accredited Training courses here

SPILL RESPONSE PROCEDURES

• Get to safety and warn others in the area
  • The first order of business in the event of an accident is to maintain the safety of ALL personnel. Corden off the area and divert all traffic away from the vicinity
• Assess the risks involved
  • Spills of some chemicals will be less hazardous than others. Hydraulic oil will not create the same breathing hazards as concentrated acid, but acid will be less of a fire hazard than gasoline. Those familiar with the chemicals in their workplace will have less difficulty identifying risks. Risks include not only the obvious direct risks to spill responders, but also the risks to other equipment and materials in the area. Acid spills are more dangerous in the presence of oxidisable materials such as oils and fuels. When in doubt leave the spill response to someone who knows what to do
• Obtain appropriate personal protection equipment
  • When uncertain about the level of protection required to respond to a spill, always choose the highest possible level. The correct PPE required will be detailed on the MSDS sheet for the liquid spilled
• Contain the spill
  • Once properly attired, begin to contain the spread of the spill. Stop the source of the spill to prevent its growth. Tip up drums or shut off valves. If drains are at risk, seal them off with a Neoprene Drain Mat.    Prevent the spill from spreading by surrounding it with socks
• Treat the spill (If appropriate) 
  • If the spill is of a highly reactive chemical, such as acid or caustic, neutralise the chemical activity of the liquid to enhance worker safety and reduce the costs/dangers associated with handling the disposing of these substances
• Absorb the spill
  • Whether applying neutralisers or absorbing the spill, always work from the outside to the inside. Absorbent socks and booms have a considerable capacity by themselves. Push sorbents along the ground towards the centre of the spill. If the spill is larger than the sorbent capacity of the socks and booms that surround it, use sorbent pillows or sheets to absorb the remaining liquid

After the spill is cleared up:

• Ensure the cleanup is complete
  • Liquids re mobile and can migrate through the smallest cracks and holes to pool in unseen locations. Spills of acids and flammable liquids are particularly dangerous in these situations because of the fire reactivity hazards they present. Clear out the area surrounding the spill area while still protected by personal  protection equipment, to ensure that all spilt liquids have been absorbed. Wash the area of the spill, if possible to ensure no residue remains
• Dispose of the spill according to its nature
  • Often, oil can be wrung out of the sorbents and collected for recycling. This minimises the volume and mass of the waste. Many acids and caustics can be flushed to foul sewer once neutralised and subject to approval from the local water operating company. Sorbents saturated with acids and caustics can also be wrung out carefully and subsequently rinsed with dilute solution of neutraliser to reduce their hazards as well. Collect all waste residues and contaminated absorbents into a suitable container and label, identifying liquid and characteristics. Dispose of in accordance with the current waste regulations. REMEMBER - Absorbents do not change the nature or characteristics of the liquid absorbed. Exercise care when handling contaminated absorbents!
• Replace used equipment
  • Where a spill happened once, it can happen again. Replace all equipment used during spill response immediately. Decontaminate or replace all used personal protective equipment
• Write a report on the spill
  • Make a note of what happened to cause the spill, what actions were taken and what recommendations would prevent a spill, or aid in future spill response.