There used to be an amusing series of radio commercials in which an unsuspecting person would experience a severe loss — their house would blow up, or their car would end up in the lake — and the tagline was, “Things go better when you have a plan.”
As with most of the best commercials, we have no idea what the actual product or service was; we just remember the commercial’s storyline and humor. And its wise tagline, with which we agree.
Starting any project with a plan in mind makes much more sense than playing it by ear. Unless you’re in the midst of an emergency, and then having previously made a plan will also prove useful.
Here at Spill Hero, we know how important a SPCC (Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure) Plan is to the smooth functioning of your business.
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 2024 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 Spill Hero spill prevention and spill clean up products 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 and small drums of absorbent for storage. Do not allow absorbent to run into floor drains or storm sewers.
- Keep emergency spill containment and spill clean up kits at 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.
Why wait for your business to explode or for some other untoward incident to happen? Put a 2024 SPCC in place now, and start the year off right. You may not keep all your personal resolutions, but at least you’ll know your team will be safe.
