Tool Box Talk: Oil Spill Response

All Workplace employees having a role in managing or maintaining oil containing devices must be able to initiate an appropriate oil spill response.

Oil Spill Response:

1-Assess the severity of the situation

• Determine if the situation is immediately hazardous to your well-being, evacuate if in danger.
• For large spills that can reach a drain or catch basin, immediately call the Operations Center.
• If situation allows, quickly cover/block the floor drain/ catch basin with a drain cover, boom, speedy dry, etc.

2-Contain Small Incidental Spills

• Contain spill without endangering self or others.
• Block storm drains and floor drains/openings to prevent spilled material from reaching the environment
•   Ensure the area is properly ventilated

3-Small Spill Clean Up

• Wear the Proper Protective Equipment (safety goggles, oil resistant gloves, etc)
• Use absorbent materials to clean spill (pads, speedy dry, etc)

4-Manage the Contaminated Waste Appropriately

• Store contaminated materials/waste from the clean-up in appropriate covered buckets or drum with a secured lid
• Affix a Harvard Hazardous Waste label on the container (except cooking oil)
• If the contaminant is 1 gallon or less of cooking oil and is completely absorbed, it is acceptable to dispose of with normal waste
• For waste pick-up contact EHSEM

Oil Spill Prevention:

• All waste oil containers need to be placed in/on secondary containment that has a storage capacity of 110% of the container size.
• Perform monthly inspections on all oil containing devices that have a capacity of 55 gallons or greater.
• Know where all spill kits are located in your facility and take time to ensure they are properly stocked.

Group Discussion Topics:

• Identify any past spill situations and how they were handled.
• Are there any oil containing devices that pose a greater risk than others for a potential spill/release?