News
July 2009 Enewsletter - Best Practices to Prevent Spills and Site Contamination
Recently, the EPA published an SPCC (Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure) compliance date extension for all facilities to November 10, 2010. Facilities must amend or prepare and implement SPCC Plans by the compliance date in accordance with revisions to the SPCC rule enacted in 2002.
A carefully prepared spill prevention plan at your site can save your business from the costly cleanup and regulatory headaches that can result from site contamination. A well-trained staff is the first step in preventing spills and site contamination but there are many other factors to consider when preparing a response plan.
This document from the EPA is a good starting point when developing a spill prevention plan.
Some of our clients have shared some of their best practices with us:
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Careful housekeeping is a must, cleanup spills as soon as possible, and take careful inventory to determine when a loss event occurred.
-
Redundant emergency alarms with automatic interlocks can be a first line of defense.
-
Undercover containment such as dykes with float systems and alarms can be effective. Automating these can lessen the possibility for human error and increase safety.
-
Secondary and tertiary containment systems that provide backup to a backup can be worth the cost if they prevent one spill.
-
Testing programs, including the API 653 Tank Testing program, can discover potential weaknesses in tanks and implement repairs before they become larger problems.
-
Conduct detailed Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) on covered equipment to identify what “could” happen with the process.
-
Contact the proper authorities before any kind of training event at your site. One client reports that during an OSHA HAZWOPER Refresher Training class, the local police and fire department arrived when nearby businesses reported seeing heavy smoke in the area from their training fire. A 20-lb fire extinguisher saved the day!
Do you need assistance preparing a spill and emergency response plan? Download a template from our site to get started.
A carefully prepared spill prevention plan at your site can save your business from the costly cleanup and regulatory headaches that can result from site contamination. A well-trained staff is the first step in preventing spills and site contamination but there are many other factors to consider when preparing a response plan.
This document from the EPA is a good starting point when developing a spill prevention plan.
Some of our clients have shared some of their best practices with us:
-
Careful housekeeping is a must, cleanup spills as soon as possible, and take careful inventory to determine when a loss event occurred.
-
Redundant emergency alarms with automatic interlocks can be a first line of defense.
-
Undercover containment such as dykes with float systems and alarms can be effective. Automating these can lessen the possibility for human error and increase safety.
-
Secondary and tertiary containment systems that provide backup to a backup can be worth the cost if they prevent one spill.
-
Testing programs, including the API 653 Tank Testing program, can discover potential weaknesses in tanks and implement repairs before they become larger problems.
-
Conduct detailed Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) on covered equipment to identify what “could” happen with the process.
-
Contact the proper authorities before any kind of training event at your site. One client reports that during an OSHA HAZWOPER Refresher Training class, the local police and fire department arrived when nearby businesses reported seeing heavy smoke in the area from their training fire. A 20-lb fire extinguisher saved the day!
Do you need assistance preparing a spill and emergency response plan? Download a template from our site to get started.