Each facility should maintain a spill recovery plan for hazardous material.
A spill prevention and recovery plan for significant amounts of hazardous materials stored on site should be adopted. The plan should list the types and volumes of materials that could potentially be spilled. This information is important because spill response action is dependent on the type of material. For hazardous materials, specific remedial action is required by state law. For state regulated substances, required actions are outlined in the document titled Rules and Regulations for Site Remediation. This document can be acquired from the Division of Hazardous Waste in the Department of Environmental Management. For materials that are not regulated by the state, devise a plan that, when implemented, prevents the material from entering adjacent surface waters.
The spill response plan for hazardous material could be integrated into an oil spill response plan and should include the same components:
1. Who-Clearly identify who is responsible for taking what action.
2. What-What action should be taken during a spill event and, based on multiple scenarios, what equipment should be deployed.
3. When-When additional resources should be called for assistance.
4. Where-Where is the material located in the facility.
5. How-Explain how the equipment should be used and disposed of.
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Each facility should have adequate spill response equipment.
Unlike hydrocarbons, many solvents, detergents, and other hazardous materials do not
remain on the surface of a water body if they are spilled, making them difficult to
contain and capture. Therefore, equipment that can contain the material and prohibit it
from entering surface waters should be available. The type of equipment that is necessary
will vary depending on the type of material being used and stored and should be identified
in the facility's spill response plan. In most situations, absorbent materials that are
easily dispersed will be acceptable. Once response equipment is used, either recycle or
dispose of it properly. Check with the product manufacturer and RI DEM on recycling and
disposal specifications.
