SECTION IX. HANDLING SPILLS

TB 43-0244

to contain and clean up

DO:

Store materials properly to prevent

small spills.

deterioration of containers.

DON'T: Leave the waste container open except

4. REPORT THE SPILL. Check your SOP for

when you fill or empty it.

reporting procedures. Usually this means to notify your

supervisor. However, if your supervisor isn't handy and

DO:

Keep in touch with your local

it's a real emergency situation, call the installation

environmental people for other ways to reduce

response team.

hazardous waste.

5. KNOW WHO TO

SECTION IX. HANDLING SPILLS

CALL.

Make sure you

9-1. Spills Happen. We all get upset about a big spill

know whom to call with

like when an oil tanker springs a leak. But even a small

questions about hazardous

spill causes big trouble. If oil--for instance--leaks onto

waste or materials. Make

the ground, it can seep down into the water table and

out a list with POCs and

contaminate the water.

post it. The primary POC

usually is your local

9-2. Handling Spills. When an accidental spill occurs

environmental officer.

contain it and then clean it up immediately.

SECTION X. TRAINING

Be prepared for accidental spills. Make sure

your unit has a spill plan that lists emergency telephone

10-1. Training. It's important that every one involved

numbers.

in handling hazardous materials or waste gets special

training in this area.

Here are five things to remember when a spill

In fact, OSHA hazardous communication

occurs:

standard 29 CFR 1910.1200 requires that all persons be

advised of all hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

1. PROTECT YOURSELF. Know where protective

Supervisors are responsible in providing information to

equipment is kept, whether it has been properly cleaned

their employees about the chemicals to which they are

and maintained and how to use it.

exposed.

2. STOP THE FLOW, if possible. If the spill is out

10-2. Training Video Available. There's a training

of your control, evacuate the area and call the

video available on handling and controlling hazardous

installation spill response team and let them handle the

materials and waste in the motor pool.

situation.

You can get it by requesting it from your training

and audiovisual people. The name of the video is

3. CONTAIN THE

"Every Little Bit Hurts". The training people will order

SPILL. Floor dry (floor

this video using PIN 709223DA.

sweep) material, NSN

7930-00-269-1272, is the

10-3. Local Training Plan. A local training program

most effective material

must be in place to describe the plan, how