3 Steps To Take Following A Chemical Spill
Many companies utilize a variety of chemicals to complete manufacturing and fabrication processes. While these chemicals can serve a useful role when used correctly, these same chemicals can pose a serious environmental and health risk when spilled.
Here are three steps that you need to take following a chemical spill in your warehouse to ensure the spill is handled safely:
1. Eliminate ignition sources.
A lot of the chemicals used by companies today are flammable. This means that a minor chemical spill could quickly turn into a large problem if the spilled chemicals are exposed to an ignition source. As soon as a chemical spill is identified and reported, you should eliminate all ignition sources from the area in which the spill occurred.
The ignition source elimination process can include cutting power to certain sections of your warehouse or processing plant and removing machinery from the area as well.
2. Contain the chemical spill.
The last thing you want is for a small chemical spill to spread and contaminate a large geographic area. The amount of labor, risk, and financial resources associated with handling a chemical spill can be reduced if you take steps to contain the spill immediately.
Once you have ensured that the ignition sources near a chemical spill have been eliminated, prevent the chemicals from migrating by spreading sand or some other approved absorption material over the spill. Start at the center of the chemical spill and work your way to the outer edges to ensure that any migration of the liquid is prohibited and the spill remains in a small area.
3. Contact a hazmat specialist.
Once you have contained your chemical spill to prevent it from spreading, the spill will need to be cleaned up and the chemicals disposed of properly. This cleaning process requires the attention of a hazmat specialist trained to handle chemical spills.
Contact a company that specializes in assessing chemical spills and cleaning up after a spill has occurred. The company will send a specialist with the ability to safely and securely eliminate all traces of the spill so that you can return to your routine business activities without the risk of additional contamination or potential illness and injury.
Dealing with a chemical spill can be challenging. Be sure that you are addressing chemical spills properly by taking steps to eliminate ignition sources, contain the spill to a small area, and have a hazmat specialist clean up the spill.
Get in touch with emergency response agents for more information and assistance.