Spillages of oil and chemicals in an industrial facility may result from an accident or improper handling. Whichever the case, removing and cleaning up the spills is key to maintaining a safe work environment and avoiding further contamination.
An efficient and reliable removals team is a crucial part of any emergency response plan. You want to make sure you are working with a team that will deliver premier-quality services when you need it.
When selecting a spills removal company, here are some of the characteristics to look out for that set a team apart from the rest, with the guarantee that you will be getting real value when you hire their services
1. Ability to Deploy Promptly and 24/7 Availability
Spills can happen at any time of the day or night. With spill response, every second counts, and acting fast can mitigate a lot of damage.
It’s therefore, critical that you find a company that can deploy its team at a moment’s notice, whatever time of day or night. The contractors you choose should be ready to go, with the right equipment and supplies when you need them. Again, you want a team that will not only deploy fast, but which will be at the site within a short time. This is the more reason why you may want to go for a locally-based contractor who will take no more than a few minutes to get to your facility.
2. Right Equipment and Experience with Different Types of Hazardous Materials and Emergencies
A fuel spill removal and clean-up will not be the same as one where you are dealing with hazardous chemicals. While the general idea is more or less the same, the specifics of an effective spill removals plan vary significantly depending on the type of hazardous material, as well as other factors such as the size, and layout of your facility.
Vet contractors and hire those with spill removal and containment kits for different types of spills. Experience is key, and you should ask to review a company’s portfolio and see the kind of spill response emergencies the team has been able to successfully handle for its other clients.
3. Flexibility and Capacity to Offer Help Beyond Clean-Ups
There is a lot more to an emergency spill response plan than just spill removal and clean up. Choosing a contractor with a diverse knowledge base, skill set and experience, guarantees that you can engage the same contractor throughout the project’s lifecycle.
There are many logistical advantages to working with a single contractor for all your project needs. You don’t have to spend time vetting various contractors, and coordinating their efforts after hiring. It will also allow you to build a mutually beneficial long-term relationship with the contractor.
4. Knowledge of Environmental Impact
While very important, there is more to the success of an emergency spill response than a fast and thorough spill removal and clean-up. You want a contractor with a knowledge of environmental impact, which will inform their assessment of possible impact.
Based on this assessment, the team should be able to recommend a course of action to reduce environmental impact both in the short and long-term. By extension, this will help you avoid, or at the very least, reduce your liability, and avoid resorting to drastic measures such as closing down your facility. Again, this speaks to why it is absolutely crucial to hire a contractor with a diverse knowledge base, and the skills to back up these knowledge bases.
Best Practices When Hiring
Now that you know what to look for in an emergency spills removals team, here is a few tips on how to go about it.
- Check Credentials
Don’t just take their word for it. Vet all credentials presented by the contractors. You want a company that is truly an expert in the field. Ask about the kind of training the teams go through, and relevant experience. You can never go wrong with a company that continually invests in improving its workforce through trainings and workshops.
- Ask for References, or Work with Referrals
You can trust the unbiased opinion of others who have worked with the spill response company. Narrow your search by asking for referrals. Even if you go about the search on your own, be sure to ask for references, and check in with them to get an idea of what you can expect.
Hire the Best
Spill removal and clean-up has to be done right, and in good time. Vet and hire the best in the industry for the best outcome.
