Travis Zdrazil | Spill Containment Blog

EPA Seeks To Limit Carbon Emissions From Coal-Burning Plants

February 5, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a new rule which would limit the carbon pollution of new coal-burning power plants. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy announced the proposed rule in Q4, 2013. However, it took officials several months to finalize the rule before making it available to the public. You can now access and view the new carbon emission rule proposed by the EPA at www.federalregister.gov.

What’s The Scoop?

The newly proposed bill requires all new coal-burning power plants to limit their carbon dioxide emissions to 1,110 pounds per megawatt-hour. According to some estimates, the average U.S. coal-burning power plant emits roughly 1,700 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour, which is a substantial amount more than the limit proposed in the rule.

But the EPA rule doesn’t end with coal-burning power plants. Depending on their size, new natural gas power plants in the U.S. must limit their carbon dioxide emissions to 1,000-1,100 pounds per megawatt-hour.

It’s important to note that the proposed rule would only affect new coal-burning and natural gas power plants in the U.S. Any pre-existing plants in operation may continue to operate without limiting their carbon dioxide emissions. A coal-burning power plant that emits 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour may continue to do so, assuming it’s already operational. If the bill passes, however, all future coal-burning and natural gas power plants must follow these guidelines.

The EPA is accepting comments from industry workers and the public about the newly proposed rule until March 5 2014.

Why Some People Aren’t Backing The EPA’s Rule

If passed, the EPA rule would make it increasingly difficult for new coal-burning power plants to be built in the U.S. In order to legally operate under the new rule, coal-burning power plants must capture 20-40% of their carbon emissions and store it underground. This process, known as carbon capture and storage (CCS) is still in development and not ready for widespread use.

Some people are also concerned how the new rule will affect the coal industry in the U.S. By placing more restrictions on coal plants, it’s bound to have a negative impact on the number of jobs.

Senator John Barrasso said the following in regards to the EPA’s proposed rule:

“The EPA just announced another regulation that will increase poverty in coal country. In addition to contradicting current law, this new regulation will put more Americans out of work and make it even harder for people to provide for their families.”

How do you feel about the new EPA rule? Let us know in the comments section below!

Benefits of Using Bollard Covers

February 3, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Three reasons to invest in a bollard cover at your workplace

Bollard covers come in various styles to suit your workplace

Bollards are short, durable posts which are designed to prevent vehicles from accessing certain area. The most common type of bollard is a basic yellow metal pole; however, there are dozens of different types, ranging in size, color, shape, material and design.

Regardless of which type is used in your workplace, you should consider investing in bollard covers for them. Purchasing a cover for the bollards in your workplace is a smart investment that will pay off in the long run. Here’s just three of many reasons why.

1. Eliminates The Need For Repainting Bollards

One of the greatest benefits of using a bollard cover is the simple fact that it eliminates the need for repainting. When workers accidentally bump or scrape their vehicle against a bollard, it will naturally chip some of the paint off. Over time, this can lead to a damaged surface that looks old, worn and unprofessional. And even if employees are able to maneuver their vehicles around the bollards without hitting them, the surrounding humidity will likely encourage their paint to peel.

With a cover like the vinyl post sleeve protecting your company’s bollards, you don’t have to worry about repainting them. It will protect your bollard from nicks, bumps, and even damage caused by sunlight and moisture. The bottom line is that a bollard cover will save you time, money and labor by eliminating the need for repainting.

2. Bollard Covers Protect Vehicles

A bollard cover also yields some impact protection for vehicles. Whether it’s a forklift, truck or any other type of vehicle, hitting a solid metal bollard may cause some serious damage. Depending on the speed and weight of the vehicle, it’s not uncommon to find major body damage from impacts with bollards.

Placing a vinyl cover over your company’s bollards will help absorb some of the impact from vehicles. It’s not going to completely protect vehicles from all forms of damage, but it will certainly soften the impact. Vinyl is a strong, durable, waterproof material that’s able to absorb blunt force impacts.

3. Improves Aesthetics

Of course, there’s a certain eye-appealing style to bollards featuring covers. Especially when there are many different colors to choose from. Along with ribbed or smooth style finish options. The cover hides any chipped paint on the bollard while protecting it from future damage. This translates into a better looking workplace that’s not riddled with old, worn-out bollards.

These are just a few of the many benefits of using bollard covers. Go ahead and see for yourself why they are such a popular, must-have accessory for the workplace.

Want to learn more about bollard covers for your facility? Contact Travis Zdrazil at travis@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

Senators Introduce Bill To Prevent Chemical Spills

January 30, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

US Supreme Court It’s been nearly three weeks since the devastating West Virginia chemical spill that left 300,000 residents without water occurred. In an effort to prevent future chemical spills of this magnitude, three U.S. senators, Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) introduced a new bill that would place greater restrictions and safety measures on companies that handle potentially hazardous chemicals.

The West Virginia Chemical Spill

Originally, it was believed that 5,000 gallons of the coal-cleaning chemical 4-methylcyclohexanemethanol (MCHM) had leaked into West Virginia’s Elk River, but this estimate was later bumped up to the 7,500 gallons and then 10,000 gallons. Regardless as to the exact amount, the effects were nothing short of devastating. President Obama declared it an federal emergency and residents in nine of the affected counties were asked to avoid the tap water. This placed a severe burden on the state, as businesses were forced to close and hospitals become overburdened with cases of poisoning.

Unfortunately, it only takes a small leak to send an entire region into a state of emergency, as shown in the recent West Virginia incident. The company responsible for storing the chemical, Freedom Industries, failed to provide an effective secondary containment wall, at which point the MCHM chemical was able to leak out of the storage tank and make its way down to the Elk River. Freedom Industries has since filed for bankruptcy, but the effects of their MHCM spill will be felt for years to come.

About The Chemical Safety and Drinking Water Act

The Chemical Safety and Drinking Water Act is designed to prevent instances such as this from occurring. There’s no way to completely prevent all spills from occurring, but this bill is just one more precautionary measure to help lower the chance.

Senator Boxer said the following:

“It is critical that children and families across the nation have access to clean, safe drinking water, and our legislation makes it clear that if a chemical poses a risk to a water supply, it will be subject to safe practices so we won’t see this anxiety unleashed again.”

Among other things, the Chemical Safety and Drinking Water Act requires all above-ground chemical storage facilities to go through regular stare-approved screening. Another key point of the bill involves the municipal tap water system. If approved, it will ensure that all drinking water systems have the tools, experience and information required to respond to emergency chemical spills.

You can read more about the Chemical Safety and Drinking Water Act at the Congress website.

When Is HAZWOPER Required?

January 27, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Working on spill cleanup

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (or HAZWOPER for short) is a comprehensive set of guidelines and instructions for cleaning for handling hazardous waste spills. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for creating and updating these guidelines so that companies are better prepared to deal with them.

Some people assume that HAZWOPER is a general “catch all” plan for chemical spills, but this isn’t the case. It’s designed for serious incidents where there’s a direct threat to safety. To learn more about HAZWOPER and when it’s required, keep reading.

Note: HAZWOPER only applies to chemical spills where there’s a direct threat to a person’s health or safety. This includes (but not limited to) burns, fires, toxic fumes and carcinogens. If there’s a direct threat to either a worker or the public’s health, HAZWOPER may apply.

Five Applicable Groups For HAZWOPER

According to the OSHA guidelines, there are five distinct groups of employees and employers which are applicable for HAZWOPER. They include the following:

Hazardous waste cleanup companies which conduct their operations at uncontrolled sites (the keyword being uncontrolled sites). Typical hazardous waste cleanup companies that operate in a controlled factory are not required to follow HAZWOPER procedures.
Companies involved in corrective actions at chemical spill sites and locations — covered by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA).
Government-owned and/or controlled voluntary cleanup operations involving hazardous waste at uncontrolled sites.
Companies which treat, store and/or dispose of hazardous waste.
Hazardous waste emergency response companies and teams.

Incidental vs Emergency Spill HAZWOPER Standards

Chemical spills are typically broken down into one of two different categories: incidental and emergency. Incidental spills are ones which do not pose a direct danger to a person’s health or safety, nor will they pose a direct danger within a short amount of time. These spills aren’t necessary “safe,” but their risk of injury or hazard to one’s health is minimal. Incidental spills can be contained and cleaned by employees who are familiar with the chemical and spill response procedures.

Emergency spills, on the other hand, are more serious and do pose a direct danger to a person’s health and/or safety. These typically include corrosive and flammable chemicals that require a unique response strategy in the event of a spill.

You can read more about the differences between incidental and emergency spills, along with the official standards for HAZWOPER, at https://www.osha.gov/emergency-preparedness/hazardous-waste-operations/faq-hazpower

Fast-Response Products For Chemical Spills In The Workplace

January 22, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Chemicals label Time is of the essence when it comes to containing and cleaning spills in the workplace. Earlier this month, 300,000 West Virginia residents were left without drinkable tap water when 7,500 gallons of a coal-cleaning chemical leaked out of a storage tank before ending up in the Elk River. You can read more about the West Virginia chemical spill in our previous blog post. Perhaps if the chemical leak was identified earlier, and crews took the appropriate steps to contain it, this incident would have never occurred.

Of course, this is just one of the reasons why companies should keep fast-response products on hand. Crews must work vigilantly to contain and clean up the spilled chemical to minimize its impact. Waiting around ‘contemplating’ the next move in a spill cleanup will only allow the problem to grow worse. But what exactly is a “fast-response” product? And which ones should you keep in the workplace? To learn the answers to these questions and more, keep reading.

Granular Absorbents

One product that falls under the category of fast response is granular absorbents. This stuff, shown in the image to the right, is designed to quickly absorb liquids on contact. Whether it’s oils, solvents, lubricants, coolants, water or any other non-aggressive liquid, you can quickly clean it using a granular absorbent product.

Granular absorbent product

Some of the most popular and commonly used granular absorbents include Grab-sorb, Super Sorbent, Peat Moss Absorbent and Corn Cob Absorbent, all of which are produced using recycled or all-natural materials. This means you can safely use it to clean up spills without fear of polluting the environment or your surroundings with additional chemicals.

Absorbent Socks

Another fast-response product for cleaning up workplace chemical spills are absorbent socks. No, this isn’t the type of sock you wear on your feet (although it looks quite similar). Absorbent socks are specially designed tubes filled with a highly absorbent material, such as polypropylene. When a chemical spill occurs, you can toss a couple of these into the heart of the spill to quickly absorb it.

Absorbent socks come in a wide variety of styles, including universal, oil, hazmat and corn cob.

So, which of these fast-response products should you keep on hand in your workplace? As the old saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry, holds true. The exact items for a spill response kit varies depending on which chemicals the company uses; however, you can never have too many socks and granular absorbents on hand for emergency situations.

Dangers of an Oil Spill In The Workplace

January 21, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Oil drums Some people assume that only massive, large-scale oil spills, such as the Deepwater Horizon incident, are hazardous. However, even minor spills in the workplace create a dangerous situation that workers need to be aware of.

If the company isn’t properly prepared for an oil spill, they could find themselves struggling to properly contain it. To learn more about the dangers of an oil spill in the workplace, keep reading.

Risk of Physical Injury To Workers from Oil Spills

It’s no secret that oil is incredibly slick. If a worker happens to walk over a small patch of oil spilled onto a solid concrete floor or foundation, he or she may lose their balance and fall. Slip-and-fall accidents are one of the most types of work-related injuries, which is why it’s important for companies to take a proactive approach towards preventing them.

Even if your company’s oil is properly stored and contained to a designated area, it’s a good idea to let employees know about it. When employees are conscious of oil stores in a specific area, they’ll use more caution when walking and working around it. Companies can also place absorbent mats and pads underneath oil barrels to soak up any spilled oil. It’s the small steps such as this that go a long ways in creating a safe, employee-friendly workplace.

Risk of Fire from an Oil Spill

Of course, oil spills also increases the risk of a fire. If an open flame or heat source reaches the spill, it may ignite into a fireball. The first step in preventing oil-related fires is to choose a suitable location to store the chemical. Common sense should tell you to avoid storing it near sources of extreme heat. Keep as much distance between heat sources and oil as possible. Using industrial-grade barrels designed specifically for oil will also reduce the chance of a fire.

Risk of Harmful Runoff from Oil Spills

Depending on the severity of the oil spill, it may impact the environment by polluting nearby water sources. If your workplace has a stormwater drain, make sure it’s covered immediately once a spill occurs. Allowing oil to seep into the stormwater drain creates a serious hazard to both the environment and anyone drinking local tap water. It only takes a minute to toss a cover over the drain, and doing so could protect your company from violation fines.

You can browse through our stormwater management and drain products at AbsorbentsOnline.com.

How To Clean Up Dry Fire Extinguisher Chemicals

January 13, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Portable fire extinguishers offer a fast and effective way for individuals to put out small fires. When a fire breaks out — whether it’s at your home or workplace — one of the first things you should do is grab the fire extinguisher.

Depending on the severity of the fire, and whether or not there’s fuel nearby, you might be able to contain and eventually put it out. However, once the fire is completely out, you’ll be left with a pile of fire extinguisher chemicals to clean up.

Is It Dry or Water-Based?

Portable fire extinguishers typically fall under one of two different categories: dry or water-based. Water-based models require no special steps when cleaning up the residual mess left behind, but dry models contain various chemicals that may pose a danger to your health.

If you own one or more fire extinguishers, it’s recommended that you familiarize yourself with their contents. Do you know if it’s water-based or dry? How about the chemicals it contains? These are all things you should know before operating a fire extinguishers; otherwise, you place yourself at risk for chemical-related injury from improper use and/or cleanup.

Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher Clean-Up: Vacuum The Powdery Mess

Assuming your dry fire extinguisher contains standard sodium and/or potassium bicarbonate, you can safely clean up most of the powder mess left behind by vacuuming it. Before you start vacuuming, though, you should first gear up in a dust mask, safety goggles and pair of gloves, as the fire may have created toxic fumes and dust. Next, sweet up any large debris and place it in a trash bag. This will create a smoother surface for your vacuum cleaner to run over.

With the large debris removed from the floor, you can now go back over it with a vacuum cleaner to suck up the residual powder left behind from your fire extinguisher. Continue doing this until you’ve successfully removed all of the visible powder. As a precautionary measure, you should go back and clean the area thoroughly to ensure there’s no chemical residue left behind.

Cleaning Fire Extinguisher Foam

Of course, some fire extinguishers spray a foam-like substance to put out fires, and unfortunately you can’t vacuum this type of mess up like the powdery sodium and potassium bicarbonate. The easiest way to clean up fire extinguisher foam is with good old fashioned soap and water.

West Virginia Chemical Spill Declared an Emergency

January 10, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

On Thursday morning, West Virginia governor Earl Ray Tomblin declared a state of emergency in the wake of a massive chemical spill of 4-Methylcyclohexane Methanol in the Elk river. Due to the size and scope of this spill, President Obama also stepped in to offer federal help, expanding the emergency declaration from five counties to nine.

Nearly 300,000 West Virginia residents are being told to completely avoid the municipal tap water system until the spill has been properly cleaned. This means no bathing, brushing teeth, making coffee, and of course no drinking the tap water. Governor Tomblin stated that tap water form these nine counties should only be used to flush the toilet and put out fires.

Local police officers stood guard around supermarkets and convenience stores as residents rushed to buy bottled water. “Right now, our priorities are our hospitals, nursing homes and schools. I’ve been working with our National Guard and Office of Emergency Services in an effort to provide water and supplies through the county emergency services offices as quickly as possible,” said governor Tomblin.

The National Guard is also preparing to enter the region for support. Their goal is to aid residents by providing them with fresh bottled water along with food and other necessary supplies.

So, just how much of a danger does the chemical spill pose to residents? The chemical, 4-Methylcyclohexane Methanol, is used in the production of coal. A spokesperson from the state’s Environmental Protection Department said that while 4-Methylcyclohexane Methanol isn’t toxic, it is harmful if ingested. And since the Elk river is one of the region’s main water sources, there’s a good chance of this potentially harmful chemical reaching tap water supplies.

According to reports, the 4-Methylcyclohexane Methanol foaming agent began leaking from a 48,000-gallon tanker upstream at a nearby chemical storage facility. Officials have yet to disclose the amount of chemical leaked into the river. Scientists and crews are currently examining the area to determine the best possible course of cleanup. As you can see in the photo above, booms are being used to help contain the chemical spill.

Unfortunately, incidents such as this are an all-too-common occurrence. There’s no word yet on the total cost of this spill, but it will likely go well into the millions, as businesses are closed, schools are closed, and the National Guard is sent in for help.

Understanding The Impact of Ergonomics In The Workplace

January 6, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Ergonomics is a topic that’s oftentimes overlooked or misunderstood among employers. Whether your workplace is a typical office setting or an industrial factory, you should carefully analyze ergonomics to ensure workers are given a safe, healthy environment to perform their professional duties.

The term “ergonomics” literally translates from the Greek language into “work” and “laws,” which sums it up pretty well.

For a closer look at the impact of ergonomics in the workplace, and steps you can take to improve it, keep reading.

What is ergonomics?

So, what exactly is ergonomics? In short, it’s the science/relationship between a worker and his or her environment. The concept of ergonomics focuses on creating an ‘ideal’ work environment where physical stress is reduced. Physical stress in the workplace is typically caused by one of two different elements: environmental factors and employee motion. An example of an environmental factor is a poorly designed office chair which lacks lumbar support. An example of physical stress caused by employee motion is a worker bending their back (rather than their feet) to pick up a box or heavy object.

What are the risks of poor ergonomics in the workplace?

Allowing employees to work in an environment with poor ergonomics leaves them vulnerable to injury while reducing their overall efficiency and productivity. The truth is that most employers overlook the importance of ergonomics in the workplace. Yet, OSHA explain poor ergonomics can lead to work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) — which are among the most frequently reported causes of lost or restricted work time.

When employees are constantly stressed on a daily basis, their normal physical body functions gradually begin to decline. The same job they used to complete in an hour might take them an hour and a half now. And rather than showing up for their shift every day, they might call in sick once a month. It’s the subtle nuances such as this that really cut into companies’ revenue and ultimately their profits.

Another example of physical stress caused from poor ergonomics is when workers are forced to stand on hard concrete for long periods of time. This may not seem like an issue, but standing on hard surfaces for eight or more hours a day leaves workers vulnerable to a wide variety of injuries.

See the list below for some of the most common types of foot injuries and conditions:

Plantar fasciitis
Bunion
Bone fracture
Stress fracture
Sprain
Osteoarthritis

Rather than completely renovating your workplace with new flooring, you can lay out comfort mats in high-traffic areas to improve its ergonomics. These mats are designed to create a softer, more comfortable area where employees can safely work. Learn more about anti-fatigue mats in our previous blog post.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Defined

December 31, 2013 by Travis Zdrazil

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon-based compounds (hence the name) which possess a high vapor pressure at ‘normal’ temperature and humidity levels.

If this definition is a bit too technical, let me explain it another way: many consumer and industrial-grade chemicals contain individual compounds, known as VOCs, which evaporate quickly when exposed to air. These VOCs vary in terms of their effect on the environment and health, which is why it’s important for companies to gain a better understanding of them. For a closer look at VOCs, keep reading.

The Three Levels of VOCs

The EPA through the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies VOCs into three different categories based on their volatility. They are very volatile (VVOC), volatile (VOC), and semi-volatile (SVOC). An example of a very volatile chemical is liquid propane, as it’s highly combustible and evaporates quickly when exposed to air. An example of a semi-volatile chemical is phenol (found in a variety of medicines and throat lozenges).

Dangers of VOCs

Because there are so many different types of VOCs, it’s difficult for companies to keep track of them all. And while exposure to certain VOCs may have little-to-no effect on employees’ health, others may cause a wide range of adverse health effects.

The Centers For Disease Control (CDC) state the following in regards to worker VOC exposure on their official website, “However, with few exceptions, chemical concentrations observed in the office work environment generally fall well below the occupational standards or recommended exposure limits used for industrial settings. Additionally, the presence of odors in a building does not always mean that there is an overexposure to chemicals by these existing occupational exposure standards. Some chemicals have very low odor thresholds, which means you can smell them at very low levels.”

Common Sources of VOCs

Exhaust fumes from gas-powered machines
Issues with plumbing
Open flames and burn pits
Emissions from synthetic carpets, rugs and other fabrics
Use of solvents, chlorine, or other cleaning chemicals
Presence of fungi

So, what steps can companies take to protect workers against the threat of VOCs? The key thing to remember is that VOCs are all around us, and as the CDC article states, most workplace settings fall well below the standard concentrations. If you notice workers are reporting frequently reporting the same health problems, then perhaps you should hire a third-party to come in and test the air for VOCs.