Cleaning Up Chemical Spills
Other Languages: Version française, Version en español
Farm Safety Association, Inc.
Instructor: The following script can be used to deliver a 15- minute training session to employees.
POINTS
TO EMPHASIZE
|
Duty
to notify
All solid, liquid or gaseous spills released to the air, land
and water must be immediately reported to the Ministry of Environment
and your municipality.
Strategies for reducing spills
Bulk dry fertilizers - Pay-loader buckets must not be overfilled;
all floors and pathways must be kept clear of equipment, level
and smooth. All dry materials must be cleaned up before switching
to a different material or mix.
All work areas must be swept daily to avoid buildup unknown
materials; loading docks must be utilized to prevent spillage.
All recycled scrap fertilizers must be stored indoors.
Bulk liquid fertilizers/ solutions. - Loading sites must
consist of a concave concrete floor with a sump hole to contain
any spilled liquid, A holding tank must be in place to store
all reclaimed liquids until they can be applied to crop land.
Liquid / wastewater - Crop protection chemicals should be washed
off equipment regularly several times a day as prescribed by
the Ontario Ministry of Environment Guidelines.
Wash water and other liquids from equipment containing crop
protection chemicals must be stored in a designated container
and reused when next spraying that chemical and crop.
All drains, sewer locations, and openings to underground systems
must be plugged in the areas used for rinsing and washing equipment.
Equipment cleanup - Equipment should be cleaned by rinsing
in the field, or cleaned at a designated area made of impervious
material. Storage capacities should be of adequate volume to
hold dilute solutions.
A sign should be posted in the designated cleaning area identifying
the type of product that can be washed and rinsed in that area.
Develop a spill response plan
A spill response plan should be developed and discussed with
employees. The plan should include:
- Names and telephone numbers of individuals to contact should a spill occur.
- Evacuation plans for the room or building as appropriate.
- Instructions for containing the spilled material, including potential release to the environment.
- An inventory of spill control materials and personal protective equipment.
- A means for proper disposal of cleanup materials, including tools and clothing.
When a spill occurs immediately alert area occupants and evacuate the area where necessary. Attend to any people who may be contaminated, without endangering yourself.
Contaminated clothing must be removed immediately and the skin flushed for no less than 15 minutes with water.
Contaminated clothing must be laundered before reuse.
Do not clean up spills if the material is mixed with other articles such as grass, paper etc. or if the material is reacting, i.e. hissing bubbling, smoking, gassing or burning.
If there is any sign that a chemical reaction is happening evacuate the area immediately and call your local fire department for help.
Put on Personal protective equipment as appropriate to the hazard before proceeding to control the spill.
Stop the spill as quickly as possible by restoring the container to its upright position, closing a leaking valve or hose or putting a secondary container in place to catch the leaking solution.
Begin clean up promptly. On pavement or concrete, use absorbent materials to capture the spilled liquids. Non-chlorinated pet litter is an inexpensive absorbent material for such purposes.
Loose spill absorbent materials should be distributed over the entire spill area, working from the outside, circling to the inside. This reduces the chance of splash or spread of the chemical.
Once the spilled materials have been absorbed, use a brush and scoop to place materials in, a polyethylene bag for small spills, and a reusable screw top plastic container with polyethylene liners for larger quantities.
If a spill occurs on soil, it may be necessary to dig up the contaminated soil.
Keep an eye on the material once it has been picked up because there may be a delayed reaction.
Affix a label to the chemical waste, identifying the material as spill debris involving XYZ chemical.
Decontaminate the surface areas after cleanup where the spill occurred using a mild detergent and water, when appropriate.
Dispose of all contaminated materials according to the manufacturer's instructions and the local regulations.
Recommended spill control materials inventory
Personal protective equipment - chemical splash goggles, chemical resistant gloves in various sizes, shoe covers, apron.
Absorption materials - Non-chlorinated pet litter, spill pad for acid, base, and oil solvents.
Miscellaneous containers/ suppliers - Heavy-duty polyethylene plastic bags, a reusable screw top plastic container, snap together dustpan and whisk broom.
Neutralizing materials - an acid neutralizer and a caustic neutralizer. It is recommended to use a neutralizer with a built in color change to indicate complete neutralization.
Are there any questions?
Finally let's take a moment to review some of the "do's and don'ts" of spill clean up.
DO:
|
DON’T:
|
The information and recommendations contained in this publication
are believed to be reliable and representative of contemporary
expert opinion on the subject material. The Farm Safety Association
Inc. does not guarantee absolute accuracy or sufficiency of
subject material, nor can it accept responsibility for health
and safety recommendations that may have been omitted due to
particular and exceptional conditions and circumstances.
Copyright © 2002 Farm Safety Association Inc.
22-340 Woodlawn Road West, Guelph, Ontario N1H 7K6 (519) 823-5600.
Disclaimer and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
Reviewed for NASD: 10/2003