Ask the expert—Spill response
Q: What is the standard volume for “large” and “small” spills?
A: Sometimes the rule of thumb on this question is that you can consider anything 1 gal or less a small spill, and everything above 1 gal a large spill. However, depending on what materials are in question, you might need to make adjustments.
As an extreme example, a spill involving just 1 gal of ethylene oxide could be a catastrophe.
What you need to do is come up with specific guidelines for releases of your most dangerous materials, and then sort out the rest according to the inherent risk.
It all comes down to a risk assessment (i.e., What are the risks? Can you control those risks? What processes need to be in place to manage those risks in an emergency?). At any rate, you can certainly start with a 1-gal dividing line and go from there.
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Steve MacArthur
Steve MacArthur is a safety consultant at The Greeley Company and an interim hospital safety officer. “Mac” brings 30 years of healthcare management and consulting to his work with hospitals, physician offices, and ambulatory care facilities across the country.
Steve has written 6 posts.
Comments
Can someone clarify what training is needed to clean up the different spills mentioned? Does OSHA Hazwoper apply? If so, at what level of spill?
Bruce – the short answer is “yes” in terms of the practical application of HAZWOPR. That said, the fact of the matter is that the training that is “needed” (I’d stay clear of “required” for the moment) is based on the information contained in the MSDS for the material. Depending on the size and complexity of your facility and its operations to consider contracting out spill response and (again, depending on the specific risks of the chemicals being used) simply cordoning off the area if the spill (or evacuate, depending on the risk). Ultimately, the training needed to clean up a spill is a familiarity with the risks involved and being able to appropriately remedy the situation. You start with the MSDS and go from there.
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