SPILL
KITS
The extent and depth that a First Responder will become involved
in the control, containment and confinement of an oil spill or a chemical
release depends on three factors: the size and nature of the incident; the
equipment available and instructions given by supervising staff.
The equipment available to the First Responder, at his place of
work or wherever will vary, and will depend on how an employer has set up his
environmental management system with a view to environmental protection and
pollution control. It does not mean that because you are on this course, the equipment
that you are shown will be available at your place of work. In essence, the
first line of response will be to use whatever suitable material or equipment
is immediately available.
Liquid Spills
Where possible and if safe to do so, the leak must be sealed, or
the flow cut off in order to contain the spillage, thereby minimising the
quantity necessary to confine.
In order to control, contain and confine a liquid that has
spilled, and may still be in the process of spilling, it should be remembered that
liquid would flow with gravity. That is to say that it will find its lowest
point to collect into a pool, or find the nearest open drain, soak away or
gully to flow in to. Should the spill be on to open ground, not a hard surface,
then it is likely that the liquid will leach into the underground strata: this
is the worst scenario possible for causing water pollution.
Direct flows towards drains that lead into an interceptor tank
system, otherwise endeavour to seal off all open drains and dyke an area the
size that you believe will contain the whole of the spill, without it entering
soakaways or gullies. Try, if at all possible, to keep the flow away from soft
ground.
Because liquids will always find their own levels, you can use
this to your advantage to contain a spill by its own flow, to an area best
suited for clean up. You will not be expected to clean up large spills, but
should the spill be small enough to be carried out in-house, this should be
done to minimise any other hazard. See Section 7 for controlled waste disposal.
PRODUCTS AND EQUIPMENT
There is a wide range of spill control products on the market,
to assist you in your task as a First Responder. The following lists some of
the generic types of materials available:
Proprietary
Absorbents
These usually take the form of granules, sheets, pillows
or a loose powder. Most absorbents are designed to absorb hydrocarbon spills,
although there is an increasing range of products to deal with aqueous spills.
Booms
Booms are usually used in watercourses to control oil and
floating liquids and to isolate drains. A number of products can be used to
surround a spill or a fire and then are inflated with air or water to contain
any run off. Fire hoses full of water can also be used for this purpose. There
are also devices available that are specifically designed to seal doorways,
alleyways and larger entrances.
Drain
Seals
These are versatile and generally low cost. They may cover
a drain or grid or fit inside a pipe. The use of a pipe seal may allow a
drainage system to be used to contain a spill. Care must be taken installing
seals to avoid personnel exposure to hazardous conditions and to avoid
overflows from filled containments.
Information on how to use spill control products and equipment
is given in the Appendix.
Outside Resources
Emergency equipment and facilities may be available from the
local authority and the fire brigade, but these may not always be on hand
quickly. Depending on the nature of the business and the size and location of
the site, it will be necessary to take specialist advice on maintaining
adequate in-house response equipment and having personnel trained to use it.
Care in disposing of contaminated
material is obviously essential when a spill is being cleared up.
For more information on the operations of
MPCEE click on: