Chemical spills can have serious consequences for both people and the environment. It’s important to act quickly to minimize the risk of harm. At WA Sweeping & Scrubbing, we recognize the importance of rapid response and treat every chemical spill clean-up job as an emergency.

The Chemical Spill Response Plan

Risk Assessment When we arrive at a site with a chemical spill, the first step is to coordinate with your team to establish the type of chemical that’s been spilled, how much of it has been spilled, and where. Is the chemical known or unknown? If known, does it present an immediate risk to people and the environment or any other hazards? This information will inform the next steps of the chemical spill response plan.

Spill Confinement Effective confinement will lessen the impact of the spill and reduce the sphere of contamination. We use premier-grade spill containment kits, which include neutralizing agents, absorbent pads and pillows, containers, and physical barriers. These materials are distributed over and around the area of the spill. From the outside going in is the standard way of handling spill containment.

Stopping the Spill After containing the spill, the next thing to do is to stop it. This calls for assessing the start or source of the spill. If the spill is from a drum that tipped over, this would be the time to set it straight. If there is a pump that has been accelerating the spill, it’s time to switch it off.

Cleaning up the Spill and Waste Disposal In this step, the spill area is given a deep and thorough clean. In cases where the spilled chemicals have penetrated the ground, it will call for the removal of the topsoil. All contaminated materials are also cleaned. After cleaning comes the disposal of all the contaminated waste. Disposal must be done in the most environmentally-friendly way, including setting apart the waste that has to be collected by an authorized waste management provider.

Full Decontamination After waste disposal, our team at WA Sweeping and Scrubbing goes through a full decontamination. We also decontaminate all equipment and tools, including PPE used during the clean-up. Any permanently contaminated gear is disposed of. The last step is a decontamination of the spill area.

Custom Chemical Spill Response Plan While the process, as outlined, remains fundamentally the same for all sites and workplaces, the specifics of the execution may vary. This takes into account the layout of the workplace and the type of chemicals involved. The chemical spill response team at WA Sweeping & Scrubbing knows to well that each workplace is unique. We will work with your in-house OHS and chemical safety team to develop a response plan that is tailored specifically to your workplace.

Preventing Chemical Spills Proper training and always following protocol go a long way towards preventing chemical spills in the workplace. At WA Sweeping and Scrubbing, we don’t want to just come clean up a spill and go away waiting for the next time you call. Our team will give tips on how to prevent these chemical spills, which include the following:

• Routinely inspect equipment and chemical storage tanks for damage. Any damage, however minor it may seem, must be attended to promptly.
• Only use approved containers to store aggressive chemicals. Using anything but the recommended containers will increase the associated risk.
• Train everyone at your workplace on the right protocols for chemical safety. Update your bulletins around the workplace with information and tips to improve chemical safety.
• Spread absorbent materials, particularly mats in areas with a higher risk of chemical spills.
• Make a point of developing proper chemical management procedures. This covers everything that