Improperly handled hazardous waste has the potential to harm both people and the environment. Every year, hazardous waste spills cost American businesses hundreds of millions of dollars in cleanup expenses. Shield Engineering's Action Environmental group specializes in working quickly and efficiently to mitigate the issues resulting from a hazardous waste spill.
What are the Best Practices Before a Hazard Spill?
The safest approach to dealing with a hazardous waste spill is to plan for it ahead of time. That means spending significant time teaching workers about responding to and dealing with a spill, as well as investing in the proper tools and containers in case of an emergency.
Knowing which materials at your site qualify as "hazardous waste" from the EPA is vital. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (or RCRA) gives the EPA the direct authority to track hazardous materials from "cradle to grave," which means it's your team's responsibility to understand the risks and immediately handle a spill.
What Happens Immediately After a Spill?
Ensure your staff and anyone in the vicinity are safe first and foremost. If there are any concerns about flammability or air quality in the region immediately surrounding the affected area, act quickly and evacuate it.
Once the area is secure, call a hazardous waste remediation team like Action Environmental. They'll work with you to establish a cleanup plan that starts the instant you call. You can expect proper containment to begin on-site through a vetted cleanup contractor immediately. The vendor you choose should be available 24/7; emergencies don't always happen during regular business hours.
The Steps Following a Hazardous Waste Spill
One of the most valuable services a remediation team performs includes properly notifying all state and federal authorities of the spill. Remember that improperly reporting a waste spill is, in some cases, a federal offense. Working with a reputable management team ensures the appropriate agencies will be notified according to the letter of the law. It's also a good sign to authorities that you have the spill under control.
If you'd like to prepare for the potential of a hazardous waste spill, contact the spill response management team at Action Environmental today. They'll help you devise an immediate action plan and better train your employees to quickly and efficiently handle any size emergency.
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