ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- Storm Water pollution issues are often overlooked, but can be easily remedied and even prevented when supervisors and employees know what to look for.
Anniston Army Depot has seen an increase in oil, grease, hydraulic fluid and chemical fluids getting to the storm drains when a rain event occurs.
These releases have to be reported to environmental regulatory agencies and are subject to notice of violations or fines.
Spills caused by equipment breakdown or leaky parts must be taken care of as soon as they happen or when noticed.
A spill is an accident, but not cleaning it up is a violation of environmental regulations.
Parts covered with oil, grease, hydraulic fluid or chemical fluids should not be stored uncovered or near storm drains.
Parts which are leaking should not leave the shop until the leak has been stopped and residue cleaned up on the part and storage container.
Failure to act in a timely manner can lead to chemicals entering into the waters where you fish or boat. It can also contaminate drinking water sources.
We need every employee to be conscientious and diligent.
SPILL CLEAN-UP
When a spill occurs, it is often unclear whose responsibility it is for cleaning up the spilled material.
What is a spill?
A spill is an uncontrolled release of a hazardous substance occurring indoors or outdoors allowing the possible flow of the substance into the environment.
There are countless opportunities for spills to occur in any shop storing or distributing any type of chemicals in solid, liquid or gaseous form.
Who is responsible for cleaning up a spill?
Generally the individual(s) who caused a spill, or who is in charge of the area where the spill occurs, has responsibility for cleaning up the spill.
Individual or shop activities leading to the spill may require multiple personnel from that work area to clean the spill.
Never assume it is someone else's responsibility and leave a spill uncleaned.
Supervisors will provide appropriate spill kits and personal protective equipment to handle the types of chemicals or waste utilized in the work area.
Some chemicals require special clean-up materials. If the Hazmat Team or Fire and Emergency Services Division is called, shop personnel may be called upon to continue to help with clean up.
When does a spill become an emergency spill?
Classifying a spill as an emergency spill depends on the type and amount of chemical released.
On ANAD, the general rule of thumb is to call 9-1-1 if:
• The spill is too large to contain or clean-up with the spill kit on hand
• The spill enters into a storm water drain or into any body of water
• The spill material enters into the gravel, grass or dirt.
When is a spill sufficiently cleaned up?
For a spill contained inside a building, the person cleaning the spill determines whether or not the spill has been properly managed and the area correctly cleaned.
There is an exception to this. If Hazmat or Environmental have been notified and are on scene, they have the final say in what is sufficient.
SECONDARY CONTAINMENT VS. CATCH PANS
Secondary containment and catch pans can be found throughout the industrial area.
It is important for these items to be used for their intended purpose and in compliance with environmental regulations.
What is secondary containment?
Secondary containment is the vital line of protection to prevent spills when a primary container, such as a 55-gallon drum or 250-gallon tote, fails.
Secondary containment systems provide only temporary containment of accidental discharges from a hazardous material or waste container until the appropriate actions can be taken to stop the source of the leak.
They are never to be used as the primary container or to drain oil and other hazardous materials into.
Secondary containment systems which are missing drain plugs, have cracks or holes must be taken out of service.
What is a catch/drip pan?
In most cases, catch or drip pans are a simple pan or bucket appropriately designed to isolate and contain drips and leaks from a particular type of equipment or container until the source of the leak is repaired.
Drip pans are also commonly used with product dispensing containers (usually drums) or when draining fluids from parts or equipment.
In some shops, catch pans can be pretty large and designed to drain fluids from large vehicle components during the vehicle disassembly process.
Catch pans should be drained prior to the end of the shift or when they are no longer needed.
Only catch pans with a residual amount of fluid in the bottom be classified "empty."
Efforts to drain catch pans can include pumping or draining through a plug.
Catch pans will be clearly labeled on all sides stating the contents they are used to temporarily accumulate.
Catch pans with cracks or holes should be disposed of properly.
For additional guidance or questions contact the Directorate of Risk Management's Production Support Team at Ext. 7475.
SPILL PROTOCOL REMINDER
Remember, if a spill occurs that is too large, consists of a substance too dangerous for shop employees to handle or which poses an environmental or safety threat, call 9-1-1 immediately.
All spills MUST be reported to 9-1-1 where an operator will inform the necessary parties for response.
Practice R-A-C-E whenever a spill occurs:
• Report (call 9-1-1)
• Assist victims if it is safe for you to do so
• Contain the spill if it is safe for you to do so
• Evacuate if needed
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