We recently had an oil spill at my place of employment. We have a haz-mat team trained in how to deal with these issues directly but in general everyone has at least some training in spills. For instance, we know how to handle a spill in the immediate area of where we work. For me, I’m using liquids and there’s a drain near by. I know where the drain plugs are that is my first line of defense in the case of a spill — plug the drains.
Oil spills are hazardous to the health of people as well as to the environment. The hazards include fumes, ignitions, asphyxiation, burns, water contamination, soil contamination and fire. In case of an oil spill make sure you know what to do. Immediate measures can help the oil spill from spreading.
Emergencies can often be a confusing time. So to make it easier, they taught us to remember the 3 C’s of handling any accidental spills. These are control, contain, and clean up.
Here’s what to remember when you have to contain an oil spill:
1. If the oil or chemicals are near any type of drainage be sure to seal those with drain plugs.
2. Surround the oil spill with spill booms or socks. Enclose (ie. contain) the area of contamination.
3. Be sure you have secured all exit points for the spill.
