You\u2019ve been tasked with writing your company\u2019s chemical spill cleanup safety plan\u2014but how do you write it? Knowing what to include can be overwhelming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is an important document that will help your staff act appropriately in case of a dangerous chemical spill. It\u2019s also a requirement of OSHA’s Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HAZWOPER states that all staff who must clean up industrial accidents should be properly trained and should have access to a company plan, providing them with instructions. Chemical spill containment can literally be a matter of life or death, so you need to take it seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you know why the plan is important and what you need to include, it becomes easier to write. To learn more, keep reading to find five key items to include in your cleanup plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
If there have been chemical spills in the workplace, it\u2019s essential to first know what type of chemicals are present. Not all chemicals can be cleaned up in the same way, so you need to be aware of what chemicals are present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As part of your cleanup plan, include a section that details all of the chemicals stored on location, even ones that are mild. Include information on exactly where they\u2019re stored too, as this makes it easier to know which ones have spilled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For each chemical, include details on what should be done in case of human contact with the chemical, how it can be cleaned, and a list of other chemicals that it can\u2019t interact with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, you\u2019ll need to take great care to store your chemicals correctly, ensuring they\u2019re labeled and in the right environment. Train staff members regularly in the safe handling and use of chemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This will help keep them safe, but will also help prevent spills and accidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A chemical spill emergency action plan is an important addition to your plan. An emergency action plan outlines all the steps that you\u2019ll take in case of an emergency, such as a dangerous chemical spill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The emergency action plan, or EAP, should include incident report forms, evacuation procedures, emergency contacts, and chain of command. This is not a plan that can be written and then forgotten\u2014it\u2019s a live document that needs to be updated, with staff familiar with its contents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n