Spill Containment Blog

Spill Containment Blog

Spill Containment and Spill Cleanup Solutions

How Will You Respond to an Acid Spill?

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What to do in the event of a workplace acid spill

a roll of yellow caution tape

Caution tape for acid spill.

When an acid spill occurs at your facility, do you know what to do?

Safely containing an acid spill requires preparedness on several different levels. To appropriately manage an acid spill, you need to have the right tools, the right safety training, and proper knowledge on the correct way to contain a spill.

The first step

Make sure your workers are trained to report spills, alert others, and evacuate the spill area immediately. Minimizing exposure to the spill decreases liability and clears the way for the cleanup crew.

emergency drench shower for use if acid contact

Use an emergency shower or eyewash station to quick drench and decontaminate the body

If a worker’s clothing has been contaminated by acid, he or she should remove the clothing and use the facility’s emergency shower.

If the acid has splashed into the eyes, the person should also rinse his/her eyes for 15 minutes — but first ensure that the chemical is not water reactive.

Containing the acid spill

Anyone handling the cleanup process should wear personal protective equipment (PPE). Cleanup crew members should use gloves made of materials compatible with acids, like thick nitrile or neoprene. Dike the spilled liquid as quickly as possible with an absorbent pad or absorbent pillow.

acid neutralizer absorbent powder 2lb shaker carton

Shake neutralizing powder over acid spills for safe clean up

An alternative solution is to use an acid neutralizer, which absorbs and solidifies the acid. Simply spread the neutralizer on the spill, working your way from the outside in, and mix the substances with a broom.

An advantage of dry-powder acid neutralization is that it eliminates the need to use pH paper. Thats because the powder will change color when the spill is completely neutralized.

Safe disposal

Once the acid is fully neutralized, use plastic tools such as scoops to transfer the material into a hazardous waste container. When the spill is safely contained, clearly label the container with the name of the substance. Then, contact your local environmental services provider or follow your facility’s procedures for disposing of hazardous materials. Wash the spill surface with soap and water thoroughly before personnel reenter the area.

Acid spills are extremely hazardous. They can result in serious injuries if not contained and cleaned up promptly and properly. By following the right procedures and having the right equipment on hand, you’ll be able to contain a dangerous spill without putting your employees at risk. Now you know what to do if an acid spillage occurs.

AbsorbentsOnline is here to help. Feel free to contact us by email or call toll free at (800) 869-9633.

Managing Used Rags and Chemical Absorbent Products

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Caution sign on used absorbent.

From rags and fabric wipes to granulars, booms, pillows, socks and more, there are dozens of different types of absorbent products available. When a chemical spill occurs in the workplace, workers should use these items to contain and eventually clean it. As the name suggests, absorbent products absorb liquids, preventing spilled chemicals from further contaminating the workplace.

But what happens to these products after they are used to absorb chemicals? Sending chemical-soaked rags and wipes to a “normal” laundry facility could result in the chemical flushing into the municipal sewer system, and simply tossing them in the trash could result in a fire due to the possibility of spontaneous combustion.

Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Public Safety and Security wrote the following on its website:

“Oily rags that get folded or balled up and tossed on the floor have the danger of going through a process that starts with oxidation. As the oil is drying on the rag, it produces heat, and air gets trapped in the folds or balled up portions. Heat and oxygen are combined in addition to the rag, which is usually made of combustible cloth that can become a source of fuel. Heat, oxygen and fuel are all that is needed to create a fire, which is why oily rags that are not disposed of properly can create a fire that people are not prepared for.”

As noted on the Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Public Safety and Security website, oil-soaked rags generate heat and oxygen: two key components for fire. Even if there’s no visible flame or source of heat nearby, oak-soaked rags may catch fire when balled up and tossed on the floor or in the trash.

Reusable absorbent products, such as rags and certain types of wipes, can be effectively laundered. However, business owners should contact the laundry facility beforehand to determine whether or not they will accept them. Most industrial laundry facilities are fully trained to properly clean chemical-soaked rags and reusable wipes, allowing businesses to continue using them.

If the rag or wipe is contaminated with a “hazardous chemical other than oil,” the business owner should contact the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for more information on how to properly dispose of it. The EPA recommends businesses keep two separate stacks of used rags and absorbent products: one for non-hazardous chemicals, and another one for hazardous chemicals.

Disposing of Oil-Soaked Rags: What You Should Know

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oily ragMinor oil spills are a common occurrence in the workplace. If you work around forklifts or heavy machinery, chances are you’ll experience an oil spill at some point. Small drops of oil can be easily cleaned with a basic rag. A worker can wipe it up with an old towel and get back to doing his or her profession.

But what happens to the rag once it’s saturated with oil? The volatile organize compounds (VOC) it contains is a serious hazard that may trigger a fire. To learn more about the dangers and how to properly dispose of gasoline-soaked and oily rags, keep reading.

Warning: Oil-Soaked Rags May Spontaneously Combust

Unfortunately, you can’t toss oil-soaked rags into a normal trash receptacle. While laws regarding the disposal of oil-soaked rags vary from state to state,  throwing them away in the trash may lead to spontaneous combustion. In case you’ve never heard of this before, let me explain: spontaneous combustion is the combustion (flame) of an object or item without an external heat source.

I know what you’re thinking — how in the world can a rag instantly combust without exposure to a flame or heat source? The oil covering the rag oxides over time, which in turn produces heat. When the oil-soaked rag is crumbled into a ball and tossed into the trash, this type of environment insulates it to encourage even more heat to produce. As this heat builds up, it may eventually reach temperatures high enough to ignite the oil and start a fire. Some people may brush this possibility off, but spontaneous combustion happens more frequently than you may think.

Should I Hang My Oil-Soaked Rags Out To Dry?

Some people hang their oil-soaked rags out to dry before disposing of them. Allowing them to dry in the air helps to remove some of the VOC-rich oil lingering in the fabric. Before you go drying your oil-soaked rags, though, you should first check with your state’s laws. Each state has their own set of laws governing the disposal of oil and oil-soaked fabric. Massachusetts, for instance, suggests drying oil-soaked rags outside (weighted down) before contacting a professional disposal company.

Alternatively, you can hire a commercial laundry company to pick and clean the oil-soaked rags professionally. If you decide to take this route, make sure the company is informed of the rag’s oil content; otherwise, it could end up damaging other linens and fabrics.

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.

7 Industries Which Produce The Most Toxic Waste

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Colorful chemistry bottlesEver wonder which industries produce the most toxic waste? In this post, we’re going to reveal the top 7 producers of toxic waste. While some industries on this list are pretty obvious, others are more surprising.

#7) Auto Repair Shops – You might be surprised to learn that automotive repair shops produce enough toxic waste to win them a spot at number seven on our list. Shops such as these are constantly removing old oil, paint, engine lubricants and other chemicals from used cars. This waste begins to add up over time, especially for busy automotive repair shops.

#6) Furniture Manufacturers – Another rather surprising producer of toxic waste is the furniture manufacturing industry. Contrary to what some people may believe, most furniture isn’t 100% natural wood. Companies will treat the wood with various chemicals to improve its life while giving it water-resistant characteristics. Furniture manufacturers end up with an excess of spent solvents, paint wastes and ignitable wastes.

#5) Cleaning – Nearly all cleaning companies produce a fair amount of toxic waste. Whether it’s a carpet cleaning business, residential home cleaning business, etc., companies such as these tend to use acid-based chemicals to remove stubborn stains and dirt.

#4) Printing – All of the ink and photography equipment used by printing companies creates toxic waste. Due to the high toxicity of printing inks, companies must dispose of them as a ‘hazardous substance’ rather than tossing them into the dumpster. Thankfully, some printing companies have taken a step in a different direction by opting for environmentally friendly ink, but most still use toxic chemicals in their day-to-day business activities.

#3) Metal – Coming in at number three on our list is the metal-working industry. While the exact waste varies depending on the type of metal, it’s not uncommon to find acid-based chemicals, water-based sludge containing heavy metals, paint and even cyanide waste.

#2) Leather and Textile – The leather and textile industry is yet another major producer of toxic waste. Companies frequently use harsh tannins liquids and chemical-based dyes to treat their products. And while these chemicals are effective at drying out leather, they are also toxic to humans.

#1) Chemistry – This should come as no surprise, but chemistry tops the list as the single largest producer of toxic waste. They produce strong acids, strong bases, flammables, combustibles and pretty much every other type of toxic chemical you can think of. After all, their profession is to physically produce these chemicals for other businesses and organizations to use.