It is important to have a plan in place if a chemical spill should ever occur.
One of the most common hazards in your workplace is a chemical spill. While this may not seem likely in a typical office environment, when you are dedicated to handling and disposing of toxic waste, this problem becomes much more urgent to deal with properly. It’s much better to be safe than sorry. When something does happen, here is how you can manage it!
Declare the Hazard
The very first thing you must do is to identify the type of chemical that spilled. Then you must announce that a spill has happened and seal off the area. Part of this process involves determining the extent of the spillage along with anything that might have been damaged along the way. Do what you can to record the ventilation level, the temperature of the spill, and the condition of the affected surfaces. In some cases, the best thing to do is to simply call 911. Notify any workers in the area of what has happened. Sometimes, evacuations become necessary, but in most cases, depending on the severity of the spill, just clear out the immediate area.
Control the Situation
The next step is to control the situation. Pick up the bottles or containers without harm to yourself or any team members who are nearby. Do what you can to stop further contamination of assets and potential harm to people and the natural environment outside your facility, depending on where the spill occurred. Always be sure to use personal protective equipment, or PPE, for completing work like this. Also, depending on what spilled, you might need to operate ventilation fans, stop heating or cooling processes, seal doors and windows, and quarantine the area for the time being until first responders and cleanup crews can arrive.
Arrange for Cleanup
If your team isn’t equipped for cleaning up the spill, that is perfectly understandable. Sometimes, putting the materials in disposable containers or even plastic bags may be enough, but in other cases, heavier duty equipment and more refined training may be necessary to help contain the spill and keep the emergency from getting worse than it already is.
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No matter what kind of environmental issue you may have, AEG Environmental can help. We handle every situation with care, dedication, and a commitment to exemplary customer service. When you have an emergency, you can rely on us! Need training? We can handle that too! We train in a wide variety of environmental management areas so that your company can remain compliant with EPA, DOT, and OSHA. Make sure to check out our blog for the latest and greatest in the waste management world! You should also follow us on social media for updates.
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