The Dangers of Spills & The Importance of Responding Immediately and Efficiently
The Dangers of Spills & The Importance of Responding Immediately and Efficiently
Accidents can happen despite secure storage but having a spill response plan is crucial to minimise damage. If your team delays spill containment, the spill spreads, increasing the potential damage. Such spills can cause injury to humans and damage to the workplace and the environment. Larger spills require more time, energy, and resources to clean up, thus increasing the potential financial effects of a spill.
The main detrimental effect of a spill can be broken down into three broad categories.
Human Effects
Spills can pose different threats to individuals.
- Toxic or poisonous gases may lead to severe illness and potentially fatalities. Higher concentrations of toxic chemicals increase the risk of significant loss of life.
- Corrosive chemical spills may result in severe burns upon contact, damage eyesight, and harm the respiratory system.
- Some spills have a delayed carcinogenic effect, such as asbestos inhalation, which can cause lung cancer years after the initial exposure.
- Flammable substances can cause harm through fires or explosions, resulting in injuries or fatalities.
Structural Effects
Spills can significantly damage buildings, including offices and laboratories.
- Fires can severely damage structures, potentially causing complete collapse due to foundation degradation from elevated temperatures.
- Certain toxic spills can render buildings unusable for extended periods until thoroughly cleaned.
Environmental Effects
Spills have significant environmental impacts.
- Oil and chemical spills can harm marine life through water contamination.
- Spills can also contaminate soil, causing ecological damage and making areas unsuitable for plant and animal life.
Negative effects of spills can increase or occur due to delayed responses. As spills spread, potential damage may worsen, making timely containment crucial.
A Quick and Effective Spill Response Plan
Organizations should implement the following steps to ensure a prompt and safe response that minimizes the impact of all spills.
- Assessing Safety
A crucial factor in swift cleanup is the ability of employees to understand the severity of a spill and assess the safety of the spill site. If an immediate threat is posed, the area in which the spill occurred should be evacuated immediately. Furthermore, fire and medical personnel should be notified as soon as possible about large spills that are too difficult to clean with standard cleanup kits. For incidental spills, initiate standard cleanup procedures immediately.
- PPE Equipment
Anyone involved in cleaning up should immediately wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) appropriate for the hazard(s) it presents. In some instances, a respirator must be used as PPE.
- Stop the Spill
Minimising the spread of any spill is vital in mitigating the risk of further damage. The most important action is to stop the flow of liquid—if a container with hazardous material has fallen over, set the container upright; otherwise, place a cap or putty over the opening from which the material is leaking. Additionally, shut down any sources of heat or ignition for flammable spills or leaks.
- Use a Spill Kit
After stopping or controlling the flow, contain the spill using a spill kit, including absorbent pads and pillows. Ensure pads and other spill kit components that have soaked up hazardous materials are correctly disposed of in hazardous waste bags or containers. Once the site is clear of spillage, clean the spill area with degreaser and water to remove any residue.
The importance of dealing with spills quickly cannot be overstated. Any practical contingency plan for dealing with spills must not be limited to merely preventing spills from occurring; accidents happen, and when they do, prompt cleanup can save lives.
- Preventing Accidents
Note that proper storage is a vital aspect of reducing the risk of spills, and hazardous materials should always be stored in appropriate storage containers.
When a spill occurs, a swift response involving the use of spill trays and bunds can contain such spills and prevent them from causing considerable damage.