Spill Containment Blog

Spill Containment Blog

Spill Containment and Spill Cleanup Solutions

Can Granular Sorbents Be Eco-Friendly?

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Green leaf symbol.

When you clean up an oil spill, chemical spill, or other type of spill, you want to avoid or minimize environmental damage. That’s why it’s important to make sure that the absorbent material you use to clean a spill up doesn’t add to the ecological hazards created by spilled substances.

Take clay, for example. Clay has long been a mainstay of spill cleanups, but it’s both environmentally unsound and impractical. It takes a lot of clay to remove a spill — ten pounds for every one gallon of spilled oil, to be exact. Plus, it isn’t really an absorbent; spilled liquid simply coats the clay particles, meaning the hazardous material can easily be leaked or spilled again during the disposal process. Furthermore, clay poses respiratory dangers to those using it, and the material isn’t recyclable or renewable.

However, there are several affordable, earth-friendly alternatives to clay. Industrial absorbents made from renewable, recycled, or environmentally safe sources offer a solution for handling spill containment in a healthier, more effective, and ecologically sound way

Eco-friendly granular sorbent products

One option is to use granular sorbents. Made from recycled or natural material, these highly absorbent products make spill cleanup and disposal safe and easy:

  • Gran-sorb — With a one-to-one, weight-to-weight absorbency, it doesn’t take a lot of this fiber-based absorbent to soak up your non-aggressive liquids. It’s also made from 100% recycled post-consumer paper waste, and it’s 100% biodegradable, fire resistant, and free of hazardous materials.
  • Super Sorbent — This absorbent is environmentally safe, nontoxic, non-flammable, inorganic, and non-reactive. And to help you ensure you’re always prepared for any oil, coolant, solvent, or water spill, this product is packaged in separate cartons that can be placed throughout your facility.
  • Peat Moss Absorbent — Used exclusively for oils, this handy absorbent soaks up oil spills on any hard surface. It’s biodegradable and can be incinerated.
  • Corn Cob Absorbent — This universal absorbent is made from ground-up corn cobs, which hold approximately four times their weight in fluids. In addition to packing some major absorbing power, it’s also inert, nontoxic, biodegradable, and can be incinerated.

Absorbent socks offer an alternative to granular sorbents. A great option is the Corn Cob Absorbent Sock, which is composed of the same super-absorbent ground corn cobs that are in the granular sorbent, but are housed in a polypropylene skin. These absorbent socks are an economical option for handling non-aggressive fluids. The filler is recycled, organic, renewable, and boasts impressive soaking power: A 3 inches by 4 feet corn cob absorbent sock absorbs 1/2 gallon of liquid.

With so many environmentally friendly products available at budget-friendly prices, there’s no excuse not to “go green” when you’re selecting your industrial absorbents.

Cleaning Up Workplace Chemical Spills on a Budget

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Who says cleaning up chemical spills in the workplace has to cost an arm and a leg? With proper planning, and using the right tools, workers can effectively clean water, oil, acids, and other chemicals without spending a fortune. For some helpful tips on how to clean workplace chemical spills on a budget, keep reading.

Chemical Spill Prevention

Before we go into specific techniques regarding the cleanup of workplace chemical spills, I must emphasize the importance of prevention. Most spills, whether it’s motor oil, solvents, acids, etc., can be prevented through proper training and following protocol. Worker negligence is the most common cause of chemical spills in the workplace, so make sure workers whom are responsible for handling chemicals are fully trained.

Here are some tips to prevent workplace chemical spills:

  • Have machines and equipment routinely inspected for signs of damage.
  • Only store aggressive chemicals in approved containers.
  • Require workers whom transport or otherwise handle chemicals to undergo training.
  • Create a safety bulletin board in the workplace to display new, tips, and other information regarding chemical safety.
  • Lay absorbent mats down in areas of high risk for chemical spills.

You can read through some of our previous posts here at the AbsorbentsOnline.com blog for more chemical spill prevention tips.

Absorbent Pads

One of the most effective “budget-friendly” solutions to cleaning up a workplace chemical spill is to use absorbent pads. The Economy Spill Cleanup Pads, for instance, are made of polypropylene and can be used to absorb practically all petroleum-based liquids, including paints, vegetable oils, solvents, gas and more. Their ultra-fast wicking action makes them incredibly effective at containing and cleaning up chemical spills in a short amount of time.

Time is of the essence when it comes to cleaning up a chemical spill. The longer a chemical is left on the floor, the greater the risk of a worker spilling and injuring him or herself. Thankfully, absorbent pads offer a fast and easy solution for cleaning up chemical spills. Just toss the pads directly on the liquid and it will instantly begin to absorb it.

Absorbent Pillows

Another inexpensive method for cleaning up a workplace chemical spill is to use absorbent pillows. These pillows work in a similar manner as cleanup pads, absorbing spilled chemicals and liquids almost instantly. And depending on the particular type, some absorbent pillows can even be used to absorb acids.

Avoid These 5 Common Mistakes When Cleaning a Chemical Spill

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Nearly every company that uses, stores, transports, or otherwise handles chemicals will experience a spill at some point in time. It may consist of nothing more than a couple drops of spilled motor oil, or it can be more severe, such as the massive 7,5000-gallon leak of 4-methylcyclohexanemethanol (MCHM) that left hundreds of thousands of West Virginia residents without clean water for days. Whether it’s minor or severe, though, you’ll want to avoid making the following mistakes when cleaning chemical spills.

Adding Chemicals To The Spill

It’s not uncommon for workers to clean spilled chemicals using other chemicals, such as bleach or similar cleaning agents. However, the mixture of two or more chemicals can change the composition of the spill, potentially making it even more dangerous. Unless the a product is designed specifically for cleaning the respective spilled chemical, it should not be used.

Failure To Notify Nearby Workers

Another all-too-common mistake workers make when attempting to clean a spilled chemical in the workplace is failure to notify other workers and personnel. The Occupational Safety and Healthy Administration (OSHA) mandates that all nearby workers are informed in the event of a chemical spill. This is done to protect their safety and to help control the spill.

Not Acting Fast Enough

When a chemical spill occurs in the workplace, time is of the essence. The longer you wait, the larger the spill will become. And larger spills require more time, energy, and resources to clean. Act fast to contain and ultimately clean the spilled chemical. This is why it’s important to have a step-by-step plan in place on how to clean spilled chemicals; otherwise, workers are left scratching their heads regarding the best course of action.

Not Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Before you attempt to clean spilled chemical, you should first don the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). This gear is used to protect workers from the potentially harmful effects of exposure to chemicals. Failure to gear up in PPE before cleaning or otherwise handling a chemical spill could place the worker at risk for serious injury or illness.

Failure To Remove Contaminated Clothing

If a hazardous chemical leaks or spills on a worker’s clothing, he or she should immediately remove the contaminated clothing. Even small amounts can place worker at risk for injury and/or illness. The bottom line is that all contaminated clothing should be removed promptly to ensure the safety of workers.

Tips To Prevent Hazardous Chemical Spills In The Workplace

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Why chemical spill prevention is important for your facility

metal barrel chemical drumsChemical spills or leaks can pose a direct threat to workers’ health, the environment, and nearby animals. This is why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have strict rules in place. For both the prevention and cleanup of workplace hazardous chemical leaks or spills.

When you’re running a business, it can be easy to overlook the fundamentals of maintaining a safe working environment. But companies storing, transporting, using or handling hazardous chemicals must take precautionary measures.

And that’s because failing to take preventive measures against chemical spills could place your company at risk. Including OSHA and/or EPA fines. Not to mention placing your workers’ health and well-being in jeopardy.

Some people assume that only large-scale chemical leaks—like the one in West Virginia in 2014—are dangerous. But in reality, it’s often smaller leaks that prove more harmful to workers and the environment. So read on to see our three tips for reducing chemical spill risks in your facility.

1. Store hazardous chemicals under cover outdoors

To protect against rainfall, always store your hazardous chemicals in a covered area outdoors. If rainwater mixes with a hazardous chemical, it can dilute it. And so contaminate the workplace or become a storm-water pollutant. Granted, chemicals diluted with water are typically weaker. But this also means there’s more of it. Which means response teams have to work extra hard to clean up hazardous chemical spills mixed in with rainwater.

There are a number of different outdoor drum storage solutions available. Including lockable units with hard or roll tops. As well as larger shed buildings that can hold up to 20 drums.

What is a hazardous chemical?

A hazardous chemical can include any of the following products that are commonly found in many workplaces:

  • Flammables
  • Corrosives
  • Oils
  • Solvents
  • Explosives
  • Combustibles

2. Properly label all hazardous chemicals

hazmat class 3 flammable liquid labelOSHA requires companies to properly label any hazardous chemical that it stores or uses in the workplace. Each type of chemical must have a clear and accurate label describing its contents. For instance, whether it is flammable, corrosive, oil or another chemical type in the list above. Color coding your safety cans is one helpful way to quickly ID its contents.

Why is correct labeling necessary? Well, that’s because it helps ensure safe response in the event of an accidental spill. By understanding the type of chemical spill, responders can use the correct clean up materials. As well as knowing which level of personal protective equipment (PPE) they need to wear.

3. Train workers in chemical spill prevention

Of course, a very important step in preventing workplace spills involves employee training. You should train workers how to properly handle respective chemicals to minimize risks. This includes everything from which container to store chemicals in, to what PPE to wear while using them.

Finally, ensure your staff know the proper cleanup procedures in the event of a spill. Including which type and color absorbents to use. See our post to learn how to choose the right spill containment kit for your facility.

Travis ZdrazilHave questions about which chemical spill containment or absorbent products to purchase? Contact Travis Zdrazil at travis@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

Should I Contain or Absorb Spilled Liquids?

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Sign caution wet floor

One of the decisions you’ll have to make when handling a chemical spill in the workplace is whether to contain or absorb it. Some products are designed strictly for containing liquids, whereas others actually absorb liquids. Being that each and every situation is different, there’s no universal “right” way to handle a chemical spill. With that said, there are some general tips that can help you decide which course of action is right for your chemical spill.

The first step in handling a workplace spill is to identify the chemical. Attempting to contain and/or absorb an unknown agent is both careless and dangerous. If the liquid is highly corrosive and comes into contact with your skin — or if you inhale it — it could result in serious injury. Before you even think of attempting to contain a spill, identify the type of chemical. This will give you a better understanding of its properties and how to protect yourself from injury.

Spills involving non-invasive water-based liquids are easily cleaned using absorbent socks, pillows and wipes. Rather than worrying about containing the liquid, go ahead and work to absorb it using the previously mentioned products. Placing several corn cob universal absorbent socks directly into the “heart” of a water-based spill will instantly soak it up. And when the absorbent socks have worked their magic, you can simply toss them in the trash.

Of course, spills involving aggressive chemicals require a more cautious and methodical approach. If the chemical is deemed “hazardous,” only a qualified worker with knowledge and training experience of the chemical should handle it. The first course of action involving spills of aggressive chemicals in the workplace is to contain them so they don’t spread to other areas. Berms offer a fast and effective way to contain aggressive chemicals without placing the well-being of workers in jeopardy. Containment booms can also be used to contain chemicals to a particular area.

Spill response varies depending on the type of chemical/liquid spilled and the surrounding environment. However, it’s important to note that workers should always gear up in the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) before handling any spilled chemicals. The employer is responsible for providing this equipment based on OSHA’s specifications. When the worker is geared up, he or she can then decide whether to contain or absorb the spilled liquid.

OSHA Guidelines For Labeling Laboratory Chemicals

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Containers labeled in laboratory.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a set of labeling guidelines in place for chemicals being used, stored or otherwise handled in laboratories. Whether it’s a medical, clinical, industrial or academic lab, laboratories of all shapes and sizes frequently house a variety of potentially dangerous chemicals. These chemicals may include carcinogens, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, and highly acidic substances. In an effort to protect workers from the negative effects of such chemicals, the OSHA has a set of rules in place regarding the labeling of lab chemicals.

Is There an OSHA Standard For Lab Chemicals?

Before we go into the exact labeling requirements for lab chemicals, it’s important to note that the OSHA has a standard — Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.1450, Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories — in place for lab chemicals. Lab managers and employees can refer to this standard to learn more about what’s acceptable and what’s not in a lab environment. (see https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=10106&p_table=STANDARDS for more information).

The OSHA standard for lab chemicals also requires employers to routinely monitor their employees for chemical exposure. According to the OSHA’s official website, employers “must periodically measure employee exposures to harmful substances if you suspect that these exposures are routinely above the action level (i.e., the threshold for increased compliance activities such as air monitoring and medical examinations).” However, monitoring is only required when the chemical levels are above the “action” level.

Key OSHA Points of Lab Chemical Labeling:

  • Chemical must be clearly stated on the label.
  • If the chemical is hazardous, the container must include a warning about the respective hazard (eg: eye irritant, skin irritant, etc.)
  • Manufacturer’s name and address must be displayed on the label.
  • Hazard warning must be written in English and include words, pictures, symbols, or a combination of the three.

Secondary Container Labeling

It’s not uncommon for laboratories to use beakers, flasks and other secondary containers to transfer small amounts of chemicals to and from different locations. Normally, these secondary containers are not  required to possess a label; however, there are certain instances when the OSHA regulations may include them.

Labeling secondary containers is necessary when one or more of the following occurs:

  • The worker who made the transfer does not use the chemical in his or her shift.
  • The worker who made the transfer exits the area.
  • The secondary container is moved to a new area.

Fast-Response Products For Chemical Spills In The Workplace

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Chemicals labelTime 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.

bag of Gran-Sorb absorbent granules

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.

What Is a HAZCOM Plan? And What Should It Include?

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Biohazard waste labelA hazardous communications plan (HAZCOM for short) is a comprehensive document which outlines vital information regarding a company’s safety practices, chemical labeling, training and potential workplace hazards.

Many companies overlook the importance of a HAZCOM plan, leaving them vulnerable to OSHA fines and sanctions. A HAZCOM plan is more than a luxury; it’s a necessity that companies need to include in their daily operations. But what exactly is a HAZCOM plan? And what information should it include? To learn the answers to these questions and more, keep reading.

What is the purpose of a HAZCOM plan?

There are two primary functions of a HAZCOM plan:

1) To provide vital information regarding potential hazards and safety in the workplace. If an employee has a question or concern regarding workplace safety, they can refer to the HAZCOM plan for more information. It’s focus is to communicate safety information to employees and individuals (hence the name).

Some HAZCOM plans are relatively short, while others are more complex; the size varies depending on the company’s size, industry and workplace. Small companies operating out of a small shop will naturally have shorter HAZCOM plans than some large company with 100+ employees working in an industrial factory, so keep this in mind when creating your HAZCOM plan.

2) To show an EPA and/or OSHA compliance offer. A second function of the HAZCOM plan is to provide a general outline and guide for EPA/OSHA compliance officers. If an officer shows up to your place of business, one of the first things they will likely ask to see is the HAZCOM plan. And if you don’t have one ready, you could end up in hot water before the inspection even begins. Thankfully, creating a HAZCOM plan is a fairly easy and straightforward process.

What To Include In a HAZCOM Plan

  • HAZCOM Policy/Purpose – Statement detailing the purpose of your HAZCOM plan; eg: to create a safer work environment while reducing employee accidents and injuries.
  • Responsibility – Define administrative roles in your company along with their respective duties and responsibilities.
  • Materials and Inventory – Detailed list describing the types of chemicals, materials and inventory included your workplace.
  • Labeling – How your company labels its hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
  • Training – Describes your company’s employee training program.
  • Compliance – Actions your company takes to remain EPA/OSHA compliant.

For more information on how to create a HAZCOM plan, check out the official OSHA website.

Proper Fuel Drum Storage: Safeguarding Against Spills

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stacks of metal storage drumsFuel is both flammable and toxic to the environment, which is why companies need to safely store it where there’s little-to-no chance of a spill. Allowing fuel to spill or even drip in the workplace creates a dangerous scenario for nearby employees. If someone were to slip and fall on an area that’s slick with fuel, the company could be held liable for their injuries.

So, what’s the best way to store fuel? And what items should a fuel spill kit contain? To learn the answers to these questions and more, keep reading.

Fuel Cans

Depending on the size, scope and overall operations of your business, a couple small fuel cans may offer adequate fuel storage. You can them available for sale at most major home improvement stores for about $5-$20 a piece, allowing businesses and individual to safely store their fuel. When choosing fuel cans for your workplace, check to make sure they have a functional nozzle that’s easily to take on and off. Also, make sure the can is labeled specifically for gasoline/fuel.

Fuel Storage Drums

Of course, some companies may require something larger than a couple of fuel cans. If your company handles and/or uses a moderately large quantity of fuel, you should consider using a storage drum. These drums are designed to withstand the corrosive properties of fuel, preventing it from escaping and spilling onto the floor. A typical storage drum can hold up to 30 gallons of fuel, making them an excellent alternative to small cans.

If you plan on using fuel storage drums in your workplace, you should invest in some drip pans to safeguard against spills. Although this isn’t applicable for all drums, some have nozzles on the bottom which allow the user to extract fuel. It’s not uncommon for fuel to continue dripping from the nozzle once it’s turned off, spilling onto the floor where it creates a serious hazard for workers. Placing a drip pan underneath the nozzle, however, will catch any excess fuel dripping from the nozzle.

Fuel Spill Preparation Tips

As the old adage goes — hope for the best but prepare for the worst — holds true in the workplace. Companies should take measures to prepare themselves in the event of a fuel spill. This includes purchasing absorbent towels, socks, booms and berms. In addition, companies should also train their employees on how to use these items. Even if a spill never happens, being prepared will give you peace of mind at night.

What Is Hazardous Waste?

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hazardous waste drum on its sideIt’s important for companies to fully understand the definition of ‘hazardous waste’ in order to provide a safe, EPA-compliant workplace that’s not a threat to workers or the environment. But what exactly is the definition of hazardous waste? And what steps should companies take to prevent the chance of spills and accidents from occurring? To learn the answers to these questions and more, keep reading.

Hazardous Waste: Defined

Hazardous waste is technically defined as “dangerous or potentially harmful to our health or the environment. Hazardous wastes can be liquids, solids, gases, or sludges. They can be discarded commercial products, like cleaning fluids or pesticides, or the by-products of manufacturing processes.” This definition is somewhat general, leaving companies to speculate even further as to what’s hazardous and what’s not.

Different Types of Hazardous Waste

According to the EPA, hazardous waste typically falls under one of four different categories. Please refer to the list below for a brief overview of the different types of hazardous waste:

  • Listed Wastes – Specific wastes identified and listed by the EPA in either the F, K, P and/or U list. The EPA is constantly adding new hazardous wastes to these lists, so companies should take a proactive approach towards identifying new wastes. These lists are readily available for companies to view.
  • Characteristics Wastes – Although they aren’t specifically listed under the F, K, P and/or U ‘listed’ wastes, characteristic wastes exhibit ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity properties. This, of course, makes them dangerous to both humans and the environment when not properly stores or maintained.
  • Universal Wastes – This is a rather unique type of hazardous waste, as it’s a general ‘catch all’ for hazardous materials. Mercury thermometers (yes, people still use them), compact fluorescent light bulbs, and batteries all fall under the category of universal wastes.
  • Mixed Wastes – Mixed wastes contain both ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity.

How To Identify Hazardous Waste In The Workplace

Each of the previously mentioned types of hazardous wastes require a different approach to storing, maintaining and processing. However, companies first need to identify which hazardous waste types are used in their workplace. The easiest way to accomplish this is by following the Hazardous Waste Identification Guide outlined at the EPA’s official website. It walks you through the process with a set of four questions. As you answer each question, it will narrow your hazardous waste down to a specific type. Then, you can select the proper hazardous waste containers.