How to plan for a chemical spill

You’ve heard us say it before.  Hope for the best, prepare for the worse.  Sometimes, the worse can be a complete accident, such as an accidental chemical spill.  With the train derailment in Ohio releasing off potential harmful chemicals and the response to this disaster not being the best, we wanted to brush up on when a potential chemical spill can happen, how to plan for a chemical spill, what do when a chemical spill happens, and equipment you may need when dealing with a chemical spill cleanup. 

Check out our video below (if you prefer watching vs reading!)

When can a chemical spill happen?

Chemical spills can happen in a wide range of industries and applications where chemicals are handled, stored, transported or used. Some common applications and industries where chemical spills can occur include:

• Manufacturing: Chemical spills can happen in manufacturing industries that use chemicals in their production process, such as the production of plastics, textiles, and electronics.
• Agriculture: Pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture can lead to chemical spills in fields, storage tanks, or during transportation.
• Mining: Chemical spills can occur in the mining industry during the handling and transportation of chemicals used in the extraction and processing of minerals.
• Transportation: Chemical spills can happen during the transportation of hazardous materials, such as chemicals, fuels, and gases.
• Oil and gas industry: Chemical spills can occur during the extraction, transportation, and refining of crude oil and natural gas.
• Laboratories: Chemical spills can happen in research and development laboratories where chemicals are used for testing and experimentation.
• Healthcare: Chemical spills can occur in healthcare facilities where chemicals are used for cleaning and sterilization.

It is important to take proper precautions to prevent chemical spills and have emergency plans in place to quickly respond and mitigate the impact of a chemical spill when it does occur.

How to prepare for a chemical spill:

Preparing for a chemical spill is important to ensure the safety of people and the environment. Here are some steps you can take to prepare for a chemical spill:

First, identify the chemicals: make a list of the chemicals that are used or stored in your facility, and their Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

Second, assess the risk: determine the likelihood and severity of a chemical spill, and identify the areas in your facility that are at the highest risk.

Third, develop a spill response plan: create a spill response plan that includes procedures for reporting, containment, and cleanup of a spill. The plan should also identify the people responsible for implementing the plan and their roles and responsibilities.

Fourth, establish a spill response team: designate a spill response team that is responsible for implementing the spill response plan.

Fifth, post warning signs: post warning signs in areas where chemicals are stored or used to alert people to the potential hazards and what to do in case of a spill.

And finally, acquire spill response equipment and train your team how to use it: make sure you have the necessary spill response equipment on hand, including personal protective equipment, spill kits, and containment materials.

So, what kind of equipment is needed for a chemical spill?

The equipment needed for a chemical spill response depends on the size and type of the spill, as well as the type of chemical involved. However, some common equipment and materials that are typically needed for a chemical spill response are listed below.

Personal protective equipment:

PPE is essential for protecting responders from exposure to hazardous chemicals during a spill response. PPE may include gloves, boots, protective suits, respirators, and eye and face protection.

Parcil Safety offers respirators, gas mask, fire safety, and hazmat protection equipment.  Our top recommendations in each category are below:

The best respirator for a chemical spill

PD-101 Industrial Respirator   SHOP NOW

Best filters for a chemical spill

Best Hazmat Suit for chemical spill

Best fire suppressant for chemicals that are on fire

Containment and cleanup materials

Other materials that may be needed for containment and cleanup include spill berms, sandbags, absorbent granules, shovels, brooms, and buckets.

Decontamination equipment

Decontamination equipment may be needed to clean up responders and equipment after the spill has been contained and cleaned up.  Ventilation and air monitoring equipment: Depending on the type of chemical involved, ventilation and air monitoring equipment may be needed to ensure that the area is safe for responders to enter and work in.

We recommend checking out https://www.absorbentsonline.com/spill-containment-blog/which-spill-response-kit-belongs-in-your-facility/

They offer mobile spill response kits that are great for small businesses or personal emergency use.

Once a chemical spill occurs, what steps should you take to resolve it?

So, a chemical spill has occurred near you.  In the event of a chemical spill, it is important to take immediate action to prevent harm to people, the environment, and property. Here are some steps you can take to resolve a chemical spill.

• Evacuate the area: If the spill is significant, evacuate the area immediately and call for emergency assistance. This will help to protect people from exposure to harmful chemicals and ensure that the spill is contained and cleaned up properly. Some common emergency response clean up crews include https://www.hcienv.com/,  https://www.cleanharbors.com/, https://enviroserve.com/, or search "chemical spill clean up crew near me" to find local professionals in your area.
• Assess the situation: If the spill is small and can be handled safely, assess the situation to determine the type of chemical and the extent of the spill. Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow safety protocols to avoid exposure to the chemical.
• Contain the spill: Use appropriate containment measures such as barriers or absorbent materials to prevent the spread of the chemical. Ensure that the spilled chemical is contained within the affected area.
• Clean up the spill: Clean up the spill using appropriate methods and equipment, following safety procedures to avoid exposure to the chemical. Dispose of any contaminated materials or equipment properly.
• Report the spill: Notify the appropriate authorities and/or company management of the spill, as required by local regulations. Provide information about the type of chemical, the extent of the spill, and any measures taken to contain and clean up the spill.
• Investigate the cause: Investigate the cause of the spill to identify any underlying issues that need to be addressed to prevent future incidents.

Recap

It is important to have a spill response plan in place before a spill occurs to ensure that you are prepared to take appropriate action quickly and effectively.

You need to make you and your team (or family) are properly educated on what can cause a chemical spill, how to prevent it, what to do if a chemical spill occurs, and what equipment you may need to deal with the chemical spill.

If you have any questions on the equipment needed for a chemical spill, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at service@parcilsafety.com or give us a call at +1 855 715 1400.

Stay safe and stay protected!