A workplace spill of toxic or harmful agents can be a scary state for all involved. The likely instinct for most workers when they recognize a discharge happening is to do their best to get involved and endeavor to remedy the issue themselves. Regrettably, this is nearly always the wrong choice of action - employees should in no way put themselves in harm’s way by trying to actually stop or slow up a unsafe spill. This must be openly discussed in the course of spill containment training classes with any workers who are subjected to to unsafe agents during the process of conducting their jobs.

Of course there is no substitute for the approved systems. Spill pallets and spill berms should be available and in service as a main guard against spill hazards.

The main system that a risk supervisor can set up against the problems posed by spills is in the proper management of work and storage areas where spills are most expected to take place. Moving corridors must also receive the same type of awareness. If a spilled material can be carefully channeled into safe temporary or disaster holding spaces that are separated from sparks, open flames, electrical circuits or workers then there is no need for workers to do anything other than shut down their system and evacuate the vicinity in the event of a spill.

External storage tanks, whether for oil, gasoline or other types of chemical storage are often targets for overcapacity or deterioration, both of which can cause spills. The utilization of diking around these tanks in order to concentrate spills and prevent the distribution of potentially flammable, caustic or otherwise hazardous liquids is recommended by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and in some circumstances may in reality be mandated by law, depending upon the size of the tank being used. The necessity for these kinds of dikes and barriers can also be connected to the quantity of vehicular traffic in the storage space itself. Make sure that OSHA regulations do not clearly prohibit the putting in of dikes encompassing the container, as they do for those controlling specific chemicals such as liquefied petroleum gas.

In addition to dikes and barriers, OSHA also recommends the use of diatomaceous earth when containing leaks. Spreading this chalk-like substance is a proven technique of soaking up potentially unsafe liquids. If workers can carefully utilize diatomaceous earth using proscribed steps as an element of an emergency response plan that does not put them in any danger, then this could be a good choice for containing a spill.

There are also agents offered which can be dispersed in the direction of a spill through pressurized applicators that allow employees to keep their distance. These specialized materials can not only slow down the movement of a spreading substance, but also neutralize any gases or even fully solidify the substance in question. At their most effective, these materials not only congeal a material, but also chemically change its combustibility so that it may be securely removed once the threat is over. Rapid-acting agents can even be used to create unplanned barriers as they can affect the primary edge of a leakage to swiftly lose its fluidity.

Mike Richards is a safety expert specilaizing in risk management. If you thought this article was helpful, additional information on methods of storing unsafe materials and agents can be found at Safety Cabinets.