Chemical spill response, step-by-step procedure for pharmaceutical operations
- Kazi
- Last modified: December 8, 2024
Chemical spills threaten the health of personnel and the environment in pharmaceutical production facilities. When a spill occurs, you must respond quickly to mitigate these risks.
A chemical spill response plan and procedure are essential in your production facility.
Establish a chemical spill response team with trained personnel and compatible spill cleaning kits to ensure the safety of your personnel, facilities, and environment.
Spill response team members must be trained and authorized to manage spills immediately. Suitable personal protective equipment and first aid kits must be placed in different locations so personnel can access them quickly.
Step-by-step instructions on responding to accidental spills, the clean-up process, and the safe disposal of waste are necessary.
This article explores how to prevent chemical spills, respond to and manage spills, dispose of contaminated materials, report spills, and assign responsibilities to the spill response team.
Key Takeaways
- A chemical spill response plan is essential because it mitigates safety risks to personnel, facilities, and the environment.
- Chemical spills can be categorized into three main types. Incidental spills are small and manageable without posing significant hazards. Although small, minor spills involve non-hazardous chemical releases that do not require specialized equipment. Major spills are substantial in scale and involve serious risks that need immediate response.
- A chemical spill response team includes trained employees, departmental managers, EHS specialists, first aiders, and chief warden with defined roles and responsibilities.
- When a chemical spill occurs, the first step is to report the incident to the spill response team. The spill's severity should then be assessed to determine its potential impact. The spill should be contained once the area is secured to prevent unauthorized access. This involves the use of PPEs, spill kits, absorbent pads, granules, booms, etc.
- For major spills, it may be necessary to notify emergency services, such as HAZMAT teams, to assist in controlling and mitigating the incident.
- Once containment is achieved, chemical spills can be cleaned up. All waste generated during the cleanup should be disposed of properly in labeled bags, and the equipment used must be cleaned and stored appropriately. The area should only be reopened once it has been deemed safe.
- Several tools are essential for effective chemical spill management. Granular absorbents are effective for neutralizing acid, alkali or Formaldehyde spills. Stormwater drain seals are vital for preventing chemicals from entering drainage systems. Specialized tools like mercury and Cyanide spill kits are useful in laboratory spills.
- Major chemical spill reporting is crucial for identifying weaknesses in the spill response process and improving future preparedness.
- Local authorities must be notified of major spills that pose significant risks to health, safety, or the environment. Immediate notification is required for hazardous releases that exceed reportable quantities as defined by local regulations. Accurate and prompt reporting helps ensure compliance and facilitates appropriate support from regulatory bodies.
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Understanding the different types of chemical spills
Hazardous chemical spills refer to the accidental leakage of material (e.g., solid, liquid, or gas) that can harm the environment and injure a person.
Hazardous chemicals can be toxic, poisonous, and harmful. When they come in contact with the skin, they can cause chemical burns, irritate the skin, or cause respiratory distress.
If the toxic fume is inhaled, it can cause severe damage to the respiratory system and bloodstream. A material’s characteristics can be obtained from the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
Incidental spills
These usually are very small. They do not represent a significant hazard to anyone handling them and can be easily cleaned up by one person using readily available tools.
Examples include diluted hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, or similar chemicals used in pH adjustment.
Minor spills
These are small, non-hazardous chemical releases that do not require a significant spill response by the team. Examples include oil leaks from equipment in a packaging line or small solvent spills in the printing and labeling machine.
Major spills
These involve serious chemical releases.
For example, bulk solvents such as methanol, ethanol, acetone, or toluene spillage from storage tanks or accidental release of toxic or flammable gases like ammonia, chlorine, or nitrous oxides from pressurized cylinders used in manufacturing.
Major spills will have one or more of the following characteristics:
a. The spill threatens the health and safety of those in the area of the spill.
b. The spill can potentially cause serious damage to the facility or equipment.
c. Special materials are required for cleaning up the spill, including the use of a respirator, other personal equipment, or special spill control chemicals.
d. The quantity released requires significant labor for control and clean-up.
e. The released material may pose a risk to the environment.
f. The spill involves a hazardous material.
Establish a chemical spill response team
Spill response management is a coordinated effort among many individual and departmental staff.
You can establish a spill response team consisting of members from various areas and roles to allow coverage of the site and appropriate experience with chemical and biological materials.
Include respective supervisors as the area representatives who will be part of the response committee.
The spill team should have “backup” members trained in spill management in case some members from the original team are unavailable.
The main objective of a spill response team is to:
– To develop and maintain procedures to prevent a chemical spill from occurring, which may cause adverse effects to persons, equipment, premises, or the environment.
– To develop and maintain procedures to effectively manage a spill, should one occur.
In general, the team members are responsible for:
– Respond immediately to any spills that are notified as required.
– Participate in spill management committee meetings.
– Participate in developing and maintaining procedures for spill management.
– Recommending, contributing to, and overseeing the cleanup process.
– Participating in routine stock-take of items stored in the spill response shed. This will be a shared responsibility for the spill team members.
– Participating in the investigation of spills.
– Evaluating the nature and consequences of the spill.
– Ensuring that spill kits located in their area are checked every month using the appropriate spill kit checklist
– Participating in training as required.
The spill response team should nominate a team leader who should be responsible for:
– Leading the spill response team and coordinating duties as required.
– Liaising with emergency services where applicable.
– Assisting the EHS specialist in developing a report of each major incident.
It is a good idea to prepare a map of all storage areas before identifying the personnel suitable for the spill response team.
There is a high likelihood of accidental spillages in warehouses, liquid storage, dangerous goods cabinets, oil and solvent storage areas, laboratories, production facilities, dispensaries, etc.
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What are the responsibilities of spill response team?
Following is a list of typical roles that can become the spill response team member.
i. Departmental manager
Departmental managers should be responsible for being trained on spill response and overseeing the following as a precautionary measure.
– They ensure that spill kits in their area are checked monthly using the appropriate spill kit checklist. They need to supervise if any items are missing or in unsuitable condition in the kit.
– File completed checklists in the area for 6 months.
– Communicating the location of the spill kit to all staff in the area.
ii. Departmental employees
Individual departmental employees on the production floor play a pivotal role in chemical spill response as they are involved in storage and transportation and work directly with them.
Employees must be trained to work with hazardous materials and report chemical spills as soon as they are discovered. Their responsibilities include:
– Ensure the containers are properly closed and secured when storing, transporting, and working with chemicals.
– Assess the risks in the transportation of chemicals from one point to another before the work commences.
– Ensure that proper and compatible material handling equipment is selected to safely transport hazardous, flammable, and biological materials when transporting bulk vessels, portable tanks, drums, etc.
– Ensure safe speed is maintained when operating material handling equipment (e.g., forklifts, trolleys, etc.) to transfer materials safely. Avoid unnecessary speed, sudden braking, and unnecessary vibration, which could cause vessel breakage or material spills.
– Avoid storing chemical materials such as raw materials, hazardous wastes, hazardous chemicals, etc., adjacent to stormwater drain inlets, passageways, and exit fire doors, and store away from any energy sources (e.g., electrical, heat, etc.).
– Hazardous chemicals and wastes are always stored in bunded areas.
– Make sure that hazardous and biological materials are always correctly labeled.
– No hazardous materials will be received on the site or at any subsequent transfer point without proper labeling.
– Know who to contact if a spill occurs and have basic knowledge of spill kit equipment.
iii. Environment, health, and safety (EHS) specialist
Always keep at least one EHS representative in the chemical spill response committee. The EHS specialists who are part of the committee are responsible for the following:
– Coordinating the activities of the spill response team as necessary when a spill occurs.
– Convening spill response team meetings
– Organizing appropriate training for the spill response team.
– Take minutes of the meetings and distribute them to all spill team members and the departmental managers.
– Report any spills to the relevant regulatory authority as necessary.
– Organising appropriate disposal of waste from the spills.
– Assistance in the preparation of a report after each incident
iv. Spill response team leader
You should allocate a spill response team leader who is trained at a higher level and regarded as the most experienced person on the team.
Where more than one person has this experience, a vote should occur amongst the team, and the team leader will be established.
How to respond to a chemical spill?
Before responding to any chemical spill, regardless of its severity, always remember that safety must always be first. Under no circumstances will employees risk their safety attempting to respond to a spill.
Instead, they should assess the situation quickly, notify spill response team members, and report the spill to the designated supervisor or EHS specialist.
Securing the area is equally important. Isolate the spill site and prevent unauthorized access.
Early containment efforts, such as blocking drains or using spill barriers, can help minimize the impact.
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If you happen to encounter a chemical spill, please follow the steps as a first response.
i. Report the incident immediately
During the spill, the employee must report the incident to a spill response team member on the scene. They can be the area supervisor or the EHS personnel.
ii. Conduct initial assessment
The team member should initially assess whether the spill is minor or major and what the consequences are.
Secure the area where the spill was occurring. Consider whether it will contaminate any trade waste system, stormwater, creek, or other sensitive areas. If there is any doubt about the spill’s severity, treat it as a worst-case scenario.
If the spill is considered Major, the team member may send a page to all members of the spill team to gather and control it.
iii. Consult with material safety data sheet (MSDS)
When the material’s identity is known, consult a material safety data sheet (MSDS) for relevant information. MSDS can be accessed using an online database, a material safety cabinet, or a hard copy on the container, if available.
iv. Contain the chemical spill
To contain a spill, secure the area, use appropriate PPE, and stop the source by sealing or repositioning containers. Employ spill control tools like booms or absorbents to prevent the spill from spreading, especially into stormwater drains.
For major spills threatening stormwater or trade waste systems, isolate affected areas and notify the EHS Specialist or maintenance team immediately. Hazardous vapors may require vapor suppression or advanced PPE.
In major incidents, notify the spill response team and assess the need for external help, such as HAZMAT or emergency services.
v. Clean up the spill
The spill response team must use proper PPE and follow a plan to clean spills only after containment and vapor suppression.
As the clean-up action, you can use spill bins, mini booms, absorbent pads, and granular absorbents (e.g., sodium bicarbonate for acids and boric acid for alkalis).
Dispose of waste in labeled bags, ensuring compliance and safety.
vi. Disposal of contaminated wastes
Proper waste disposal is essential after containing and cleaning a chemical spill. Materials used in the cleanup should be separated and labeled according to the spilled material.
Ensure biological waste is incinerated using specialized contractors, as coordinated by the EHS specialist, to avoid contaminating existing waste.
The equipment must be cleaned to remove residual contaminants and returned to its proper storage location.
After the cleanup, the spill response team must confirm that the area is safe, all spilled material is removed, and waste or PPE is disposed of or cleaned and stored.
Replacement of used spill cleanup materials should be ordered to ensure readiness for future incidents.
Procedure for containing a chemical spill
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Reporting a chemical spill is not the same as controlling it.
All employees are responsible for reporting a spill. However, containing a chemical spill requires a systematic approach. Hence, it must be managed through a trained spill response team member.
i. Minor spills
If the chemical spill is minor, trained employees on the scene should be able to contain and clean up the spills immediately.
ii. Control source and stop further spillage
After securing the area, the spill response team members should put on appropriate gowning and personal protective equipment (PPE).
They should focus on stopping the source of the spill. For instance, a leaking container may need to be sealed or repositioned to prevent further leakage.
– If it is safe to do so, shut off or block the source of the spill. For example, plug a container or tip over a drum so the hole is on top.
– Activate any spill control equipment as necessary and minimize the release.
– Ensure the spill does not enter stormwater drains. To contain the spread of the spill, use mini-booms, pads, granular absorbents, etc.
– If a major spill into nearby stormwater is apparent, immediately take action to stop any discharge from the site containment pond into stormwater.
– If a major spill of trade waste occurs, isolate the discharge pump to town water. Report the incident immediately to the EHS Specialist or maintenance department. The supervisor at the scene shall clear the area and ensure that no one enters it until the spill response team has controlled the situation.
– Some chemicals (e.g., formalin) present a threat due to vapors. Vapor suppression methods or personal protective equipment must be used before any clean-up process.
– When a major spill is notified to an EHS specialist, use the following procedure:
a. Make the spill response team member aware of the situation
b. After discussing this with the spill response team on-site, request outside assistance (i.e., Fire Brigade, HAZMAT Team or spill cleanup contractor) as necessary.
c. Notify adjacent facilities in the vicinity of the incident site about the type of accident, the spillage, and the affected area.
d. Initiate and direct the clean-up activities as necessary.
e. Report the spill, if necessary, to appropriate town authorities.
iii. Ask for help from the emergency services
If the spill response team cannot control the spillage of their own, the nominated Chief Warden should contact the town emergency services to control the accident at the site.
The site spill response team leader or Chief Warden should provide emergency services with necessary information about the nature of the spill.
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What procedure should be followed during chemical spill cleaning?
Under no circumstances will employees risk their own safety attempting to clean up a spill. All members of the spill response team must wear appropriate PPEs during clean-up.
A spill can be cleaned after the spill response team has achieved containment and vapor suppression. The team should prepare a plan of cleaning action.
The cleanup method will depend on the nature of the chemical involved and the spill’s severity.
The actual clean-up method will be determined by the spill team’s assessment of each spill incident or by the directions of the relevant emergency authorities.
Various types of equipment are available for cleaning a spill, and the correct equipment should always be used.
Depending on the nature of the spill in your facility, you can use some of the available spill kits and tools.
i. Chemical spill bins
These are mainly blue or red bins with lids and yellow triangle stickers with the “Spill Station” displayed at the front. Sometimes, and in open weather conditions, they may have a protective black “top” on them.
Chemical spill bins are designed to contain and manage spills safely. Typically constructed from durable, chemical-resistant materials like high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
ii. Mini booms
Booms are used to contain or divert spills. If the ground is sloppy, it should be strategically placed downhill from the spill site, ensuring that the spilled chemicals flow away from unaffected areas.
Popular mini-booms include 3M™ Chemical Sorbent Mini-Booms or Brady spill control SOCs.
For leaking drums or containers, booms can placed surrounding these sources, preventing the spill from expanding further.
This containment method helps in reducing cleanup efforts. Booms can also be positioned in front of or around drains to protect them from contamination, safeguarding waterways and infrastructure.
For spills threatening valuable assets such as inventories or equipment, channels can be created to divert the flow to a safer area where it can be effectively managed. Booms can then be employed to absorb the spilled chemical.
iii. Pads to absorb and clean up the spill
You can use pads to wipe down clothing, hands, floor, containers, drums, etc., contaminated by the spill.
Place pads behind the booms to absorb any seepage from under the booms and under leaking pipes or valves.
Examples include Brady absorbent pads and rolls.
iv. Granular absorbent for Formaldehyde and acidic chemical spill
Use granular absorbent to control the spill. Spread the particulate onto and in front of the spill. Push it into the spill with a broom or shovel.
Although small, the absorbent granules can absorb liquid many times their volume. They should be used to absorb and solidify large volumes of spilled liquid.
For example, Formaldehyde absorbents such as Polyform-F free-flowing granules are used to absorb formaldehyde spills. It is important to ensure you are fully protected when attending Formaldehyde spills.
Alkali- and acid-neutralizing and absorbing granules are also popular in spill response management. For instance, Sodium Bicarbonate granules (CEP SODBIC50) are effective for acid spills, and boric acid granules are used to absorb alkali spills.
v. Stormwater drain seals
These heavy, large rubber mats, which come in varying lengths and sizes, can be placed over drains to prevent spills from entering them.
vi. Plug it up
Plugitup repair putty temporarily plugs holes in drums or other containers. It is effective in instantly plugging fuel tanks, drums, and IBCs.
vii. Mercury spill kits
Mercury spill kits are used explicitly for mercury spill cleanup in laboratories or industrial settings.
Spilfyter Grab & Go, a mercury spill kit, helps you easily collect mercury vapor emissions and minor spills for safe disposal.
viii. Personal protective equipment (PPE)
The choice of PPE depends on the type of chemical, its hazardous profile (e.g., corrosive, toxic, flammable), and the spill severity. Always consult the chemical’s Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and match the PPE accordingly.
Following is a list of commonly used PPEs for cleaning up pharmaceutical spills.
– Aprons for minor spill.
– Chemical-resistant coveralls or suits (e.g., made of Tyvek® or PVC).
– Chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile, neoprene, or butyl rubber) suitable for the specific chemical involved.
– Safety goggles or chemical splash goggles.
– Face shields for full-face protection from splashes.
– N95 masks or half-mask respirators with chemical cartridges for vapors and fumes.
– Full-face respirators or self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for high-hazard situations.
– Chemical-resistant boots with reinforced toes.
– Disposable shoe covers to prevent contamination from spreading.
ix. Waste disposal bags
Disposal bags are used to contain waste absorbents inside this bag. These bags may come in different colors and sizes; for example, yellow bags with a biological sign are used for biological wastes.
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Cleaning of a chemical spill in the laboratory
Laboratories inherently store the highest number of chemicals, many of which are hazardous to humans. Occasionally, accidents can happen inside the laboratory, leading to chemical spills.
i. Spills of solid materials
The spill response team member should assess if the material is hazardous.
For the acid or base material (i.e., Phosphorous Pentoxide or Sodium Hydroxide NaOH).
– Ensure water is not permitted to contact the spilled material.
– Use PPEs such as safety shoes, rubber gloves, laboratory coats, safety spectacles, and face shields.
– Collect the spilled material into hazardous waste bags in the spill kit using the scoops provided.
– When all the spilled material has been collected, carefully place the used scoops into the hazardous waste bag.
– Seal the bag with plastic ties and label it as either “Acid waste material-solid” or “Basic waste material-solid,” including the name of the material on the label.
– Complete the disposal as directed.
ii. Spill of Mercury or Mercury salt
For a spill of Mercury salt, do the following:
– Retrieve the Mercury Spill Kit from the store.
– Follow the kit instructions to clean up the spill.
– Complete the disposal as directed.
iii. Cyanide salt or unknown material
Examples of cyanide compounds kept in the laboratory include Sodium Cyanide NaCN and Potassium Cyanide KCN.
For an accidental spill of Cyanide salt,
– Immediately evacuate the area around the spilled material.
– Contact the spill response team and EHS specialist for advice on cleaning and disposing of the material.
iv. Spills of liquid materials
Immediately evacuate the area around the spilled material in case of a spill of liquid material.
Contact the spill response team, who will assess the nature of the spill.
Scenario 1:
If the spill appears to be less than 7L, proceed with the following steps:
– If safe, switch off ignition sources to minimize the potential for a fire to start. Ignition sources may include electrical wiring and switchboards, electric motor power points, naked flames, static electricity sparks, etc.
– Activating a switch may be sufficient to ignite a potentially combustible or flammable atmosphere.
– Consult the container label and MSDS for the spilled material and don the recommended PPE.
– During spill cleanup, consider additional precautions based on the situation. For example, the floor may be slippery, or the vapors may be toxic, requiring ventilation.
– Using appropriate materials from the spill kits, contain the spill.
– Erect spill signage at the perimeter of the spill area.
– You can select the appropriate absorbent from the Spill Kit store. Absorbents are available for acids, alkalis, and solvents.
– Apply the absorbent as directed on the absorbent container.
– Use the scoops provided to collect the absorbed material in hazardous waste bags.
– Place the used scoops and any used disposable PPE into the same hazardous waste bag.
– Seal the bag with plastic ties and label it as either “Acid waste material – absorbed liquid,” “Basic waste material – absorbed liquid,” or “Solvent waste material – absorbed liquid,” and include the name of the material on the label.
– Complete the disposal as directed.
Scenario 2:
If the spill appears to be larger than 7L, if it is safe to do so, contain it using the spill kit items.
Contact the spill response team and EHS specialist for advice on cleaning and disposing of the material.
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Cleaning of Formaldehyde spills
If a formaldehyde spill is reported, remove people from the area and any surrounding areas that may be affected.
Remember that vapors can travel through even the slightest gaps in walls, floors, ceilings, etc.
All spill response team members and personnel involved in the clean-up of the formaldehyde spill must wear full-face respirators with appropriate cartridges, full-length impervious coveralls with the hood pulled over the head, safety shoes, Nitrile or PVC gloves, etc.
Under no circumstances should spill team members enter an area contaminated by formaldehyde until all possible engineering options have been exhausted, even if they are wearing PPE.
For example:
– Purge the room affected, if inside buildings, using the HVAC systems.
– Open the doors and windows to reduce the formaldehyde concentration in the area. Please look at the surrounding areas to ensure that other areas or people are exposed.
Formaldehyde can remain on furnishings, walls, and surfaces. It is important that the spill response team wear all PPE until the spill has been completely cleaned up and the area tested for formaldehyde levels and deemed safe for entry (i.e., 0.3 ppm).
Formaldehyde spills may also require the use of an absorbent to clean up the spill.
Cleaning up blood and body fluid spill
Equipment Required for cleanup of a blood or body fluid spill:
– A biohazard bucket (kept in first aid room).
– Biohazard plastic bags.
– Scrubbing brush.
– Yellow mop bucket.
– Yellow mop (to include mop head and handle).
– Plastic apron.
– Heavy Duty Gloves.
– Safety goggles.
– Paper toweling.
– Viraclean. This equipment is sometimes kept in the first aid room.
Ensure that the injured or affected colleague is safe and receiving necessary treatment.
Contact the spill response team and EHS specialist for advice immediately.
Call for extra first aiders if necessary to assist with the spill. Do not attempt a spill if you doubt your ability to contain it successfully.
Collect all relevant cleaning equipment from the First Aid Room. Before commencing the procedure, put on all protective clothing as provided.
For extra protection, it is recommended that you put on an extra pair of fitted gloves under the heavy-duty ones.
Take the bottle of Viraclean and gently flow a stream on the outside of the spill. Then, gently allow a stream of Viraclean to cover the entire spill. This must be done carefully to avoid spreading the spill.
Then, place the paper towel over the area and allow it to stand for fifteen minutes. This will ensure all potential contaminants are eliminated.
Collect all paper towels and the contaminant and place them in a Biohazard bag. Then, clean the entire area, ensuring any splashes are cleaned. Use a scrubbing brush if necessary. Put any more towels that are used in a plastic bag.
Following clean-up, all PPE must be discarded. Any personal clothing splashed with blood or body fluids during the process must be washed with viraclean or disposed of.
Place all used materials into a biohazard bag and dispose of them in a yellow bin.
The first aider carrying out the clean-up procedure is responsible for putting all equipment into the bucket, which is ready for subsequent use.
240 SOPs, 197 GMP Manuals, 64 Templates, 30 Training modules, 167 Forms. Additional documents included each month. All written and updated by GMP experts. Checkout sample previews. Access to exclusive content for an affordable fee.
Disposal of contaminated wastes from chemical spills
After the containment and cleaning of the spill, the next step is to safe disposal of waste materials. You can take the following steps to dispose of the chemical wastes properly.
i. Separate materials used in hazardous clean-up
Materials used to clean up a hazardous chemical spill must be disposed of appropriately. The bin/bag containing the waste should be labeled according to the spilled material.
Do not contaminate existing wastes at the facility.
Biological wastes should be appropriately contained and incinerated. If necessary, use contractors who specialize in the disposal of biological spills.
Your EHS specialist should have the details of registered contractors.
ii. Clean and return equipment
Clean up all necessary equipment and return it to storage at the appropriate place.
Equipment should be cleaned thoroughly to ensure no residual chemicals/biological contaminants remain on the equipment.
iii. Arrange disposal of waste materials
The EHS specialist can organize an authorized waste contractor to remove and dispose of spillage waste materials as required.
iv. After the clean-up
Once clean-up activities are completed, the members of the Spill Response Team will ensure that:
– All spilled material has been cleaned up, and the area is safe for others to enter.
– All materials used in the clean-up activities have been packaged for appropriate disposal or have been cleaned and returned.
– Any personal protective equipment used has been packaged for appropriate disposal or cleaned and returned to its storage area.
– Order the replacement of spill clean-up materials for future use.
Reporting of chemical spill response activities
Reporting of chemical spill response activities is important to prevent future incidents. It can correctly identify what worked and what did not during the response.
Through proper investigation and reporting, you will be able to identify weaknesses in the procedure, such as a shortage of spill response kits and PPEs or the training needs of employees, especially the spill response team members.
In consultation with relevant parties, the spill response team should investigate the spill incident and figure out alternative methods to prevent similar incidents. This review should occur within 24 hours of the spill.
After the investigation, the spill response team should prepare an internal report of the incident. The report should specify at least the following items:
– Date and time of spill
– Type of chemical spill or incident.
– Nature and quantity of spill.
– Measures used to contain the spill and if the containment was successful.
– Processes used for cleaning the spill.
– Disposal process of waste resulting from the incident.
– Extent of injury or contamination.
– Incidents and near misses
– Spill response equipment suitability.
– Team readiness
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Reporting to regulatory authorities
Reporting of major chemical spills to authorities in the local jurisdiction is a requirement.
The EHS specialist or most senior manager on site will report to the appropriate authorities as per the pollution incident management response document.
For example, The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) requires you to report incidents that may risk human health or the environment, particularly chemical spills and releases. Specific expectations include:
i. Immediate notification for hazardous releases
Any spill or release of hazardous substances exceeding the reportable quantity (RQ) defined under the “Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 1980” (CERCLA) must be reported immediately.
This includes spills that enter the air, water, or soil and have the potential to impact the environment or public health.
ii. Details of the incident
Your local environmental authority would like to know more about the incident in your report. Such as:
– Location of the spill or release.
– Time and duration of the incident.
– Type and quantity of the substance released.
– Source and cause of the spill or release.
– Potential hazards, including impacts on nearby populations or environments.
iii. Response and mitigation actions
Describe what steps were taken in relation to the spill containment and clean-up.
– Steps were taken to contain the spill.
– Measures implemented to prevent further damage.
– Recovery and cleanup efforts.
– Any injuries to personnel or damage to property or natural resources resulting from the spill.
iv. Follow-up reporting
Following the initial notification, you will need detailed written reports.
These reports typically include more comprehensive information about the spill, response actions, and measures to prevent future occurrences.
Conclusion
An effective chemical spill response plan and procedure can help you to manage accidental major spills.
The first step is to establish a dedicated and well-trained spill response team with expertise in spill management. The team should comprise employees, departmental managers, an EHS specialist, a first aider, and a chief warden with defined roles and responsibilities.
Ensure appropriate tools, spill kits, and personal protective equipment are placed in clearly marked areas. Creating a map of your facility specifying the exact locations of the spill kits and PPEs will be extremely helpful during an emergency.
The first step in a chemical spill response is immediately reporting the incident to the spill response team. The team will assess the risk and nature of the spill. This will follow devising a plan to contain and clean up the spill, disposing of waste, and appropriate reporting.
If the spill response team cannot control the spillage on their own, it is important to seek assistance from the town’s emergency services. In that respect, the EHS specialist and Chief Warden should be available at all times during operations and will organize communication with emergency services.
Early preparedness, quick response, and adherence to established protocols minimize the immediate risks of chemical spills and ensure employee safety, environmental protection, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Author: Kazi Hasan
Kazi is a seasoned pharmaceutical industry professional with over 20 years of experience specializing in production operations, quality management, and process validation.
Kazi has worked with several global pharmaceutical companies to streamline production processes, ensure product quality, and validate operations complying with international regulatory standards and best practices.
Kazi holds several pharmaceutical industry certifications including post-graduate degrees in Engineering Management and Business Administration.