Industrial Discharges Are Expensive – And Unnecessary

Industrial Discharges Are Expensive – And Unnecessary
There’s always a chance that spills or leaks can happen when chemicals are used. Employers are responsible for developing appropriate procedures and ensuring that workers know how to use potentially hazardous products correctly. The best approach is following the rule of “The Three P’s.”
– By Isaac Rudik

It’s an all too-familiar story: A business doesn’t pay attention to potential hazard risks that fall under its control, a leak occurs and goes unnoticed, environmental damage results and courts levy hefty fines to cover both the clean-up and as a penalty.

It happened again in June after James Dietrich, a South Huron, Ontario, agribusiness owner, was slapped with a robust five figure fine plus clean-up costs when corn liquor runoff from large storage bins went unseen and unchecked, polluting the Ausable River two years earlier.

Dietrich’s problems began when someone complained to the Ministry of Environment that water in the creek next to their building suddenly turned black and foul smelling. An investigation revealed that corn silage liquor in a bunker silo on Dietrich’s property found its way to a nearby drain tile that flowed into the river.

The Three P’s

There is always a chance that a spill or leak can happen when chemicals are used in the workplace. All employers are responsible for developing appropriate procedures and ensuring that workers know how to use potentially hazardous products correctly. So, the best approach is following the rule of “The Three P’s” – prevention, preparedness and prompt response.

Obviously, prevention is not just the first line of defence, it’s the best course – and it’s always the least expensive.

Prevention begins with evaluating ways to minimize potential spills in storage areas, when hazardous material is being transported inside the workplace, during transfers to other containers and while it is being used in the manufacturing process. This includes using spill trays, Bollard posts and machine guards where accidents might occur.

Rather than pouring liquids directly into a container, install pumps or other mechanical devices including secondary spill containment platforms. Flammable materials should be bonded and grounded to prevent sparks from igniting liquids with drum pumps or de-headers employed to allow for safe transferring of liquids.

Preparing For Problems

Being prepared means having the correct spill equipment on hand in case it’s needed. Post emergency response contact numbers in a visible location and do regular – quarterly is best – practice drills of your spill response plan while also ensuring that engineering controls are adequate.

Every facility needs the appropriate spill equipment and procedures in place, including kits for oil only as well as a universal kit good for general purpose spills. They’re a must when using highly toxic or acidic solutions.

At the same time, assess whether the business requires specialised spill kits including those that are mobile, used on vehicles or in labs. A surprising number of companies require customised spill kits for protection.

In-House First Responders

Equally important, key managers as well people on the shop floor must know when and how to initiate emergency response plans; if it’s not safe to respond before calling emergency services, evacuate the area and restrict access. Then contact the organization’s spill response team and call 911.

The response depends on the nature of the hazard and workplace conditions. Above all, wear adequate protective equipment for the hazard involved: Personal Protection Equipment, proper gloves, safety eyewear, aprons and nearby eye wash stations are a must for every facility using hazardous materials, especially acids and other toxic liquids, as well as having appropriate fire extinguishers.

If safe to do so, send the company’s HazMat team in to work at preventing spills from entering sewers, drains or enclosed spaces after turning on fans to ensure the area is ventilated. Use drain seals to prevent liquids from entering sewers that can be carried into local water supplies. Also, use soil, powder or liquid absorbing materials to neutralise spilled material, which makes clean-up safer and easier.

Finally, using overpacks or lab packs, scoop or shovel any spilled material into suitable, covered and boldly labelled containers, or to protect broken or damaged drums. Flush the spill area with water if doing so is safe, containing the runoff for disposal. Employees must be trained to handle contaminated absorbent material as if it has the same hazards as the spilled product. Be sure to dispose of the resulting waste appropriately.

As long as businesses use hazardous materials, there’ll be a risk of leaks, spills and other damage. Following the Rule of the Three P’s helps ensure that should the unthinkable happen, a quick and appropriate response is ready.






Isaac Rudik is a compliance consultant with Compliance Solutions Canada Inc. (www.compliancesolutionscanada.com), Canada’s largest provider of health, safety and environmental compliance solutions to industrial, institutional and government facilities.

E-mail Isaac at irudik@csc-inc.ca or phone him at 905-761-5354.