People talk about New Year’s resolutions, but we know from experience it’s just so much talk, with little action. Oh, they may start a new exercise program, or vow to spend less time at work, but after a few weeks, old habits reassert themselves.
This is especially true in the workplace. You may have vowed to put a spill plan in place, but instead, every day is devoted to putting out fires (figuratively speaking, of course).
At Impact Absorbents, we know how important a SPCC (Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure) Plan is to the smooth functioning of your business. The EPA has developed a comprehensive SPCC document foroil pollution prevention.
When it comes to the basics, however, we want to make it simple for you to create and put a SPCC plan in place. So here’s a quick SPCC development guide to help you start 2019 off on the right foot:
- Research, Review and Assess:
- Conduct a materials inventory throughout the facility.
- Evaluate past spills and leaks.
- Identify non-storm water discharges and non-approved connections to storm water.
- Collect and evaluate storm water.
- Summarize the findings of this assessment.
- Prepare Your Spill Prevention Plan, to include:
- Facility description, nature of activity, types of chemicals used.
- Site plan indicating locations of chemical storage areas, storm drains, surface water bodies on or next to site, collection basins and other spill prevention devices (this would be the place to list which Impact Absorbents and XSORBspill prevention and spill clean upproducts are on hand, or need to be ordered).
- Notification procedures in the event of a spill. Include contact information for key staff and appropriate regulatory agencies.
- Specific procedures for spill clean up.
- Designated employee in charge of overseeing spill clean up.
- Training for all staff in basic spill control and spill clean up procedures.
- Summarize and post the plan in all appropriate locations(cafeteria, areas with high spill potential, meeting rooms, etc.).
- Implement the Spill Prevention Plan:
- Spill clean ups should begin ASAP. Use environmentally safe products wherever possible.
- In fueling areas, use small bags for convenience andsmall drums of absorbentfor storage. Do not allow absorbent to run into floor drains or storm sewers.
- Keep emergency spill containment andspill clean up kitsat the facility site.
- Review the Spill Prevention Plan at least annually and after any spill to see how effective it is and how it might be improved. You should also review the plan whenever a new material is introduced to the facility.
You may not stick to that fitness resolution (though we encourage you to do so!). But now you know how to create, launch and maintain a smart SPCC plan for 2019 and beyond, to keep your business and your employees safe. And this is one resolution it will be easy to keep.
