Spill management
Accidental spills can have a large impact on our environment. Prevention is key to spill management on site.
You can do your part by ensuring that materials are stored correctly, according to industry and substance-specific guidelines, staff are trained on procedures to manage spills appropriately, and that you’re always working with the right equipment for the job.
Help prevent spills by taking time to:
- Store materials according to industry and substance-specific guidelines.
- Prepare for emergencies by reviewing procedures and regularly train staff to deal with spills appropriately.
- Work with the right equipment for the job.
Develop a spill plan
Spills are a serious threat to the health and safety of workers and the environment. In Canterbury, our Incident Response staff are regularly called to accidental spills that have significant negative impacts on our environment.
Developing an emergency response plan that includes a spill procedure for your site ensures that spills can be dealt with correctly to protect workers, and prevent pollutants from entering gutters, stormwater drains, and our waterways.
Spills can have significant negative impacts on the environment
Accidental spill procedures
If there is a spill on your site, safety comes first. Ensure people onsite are safe before dealing with a spill. If the spilt material is a risk to health and safety, evacuate the area and alert Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
Identify material
- Look for product labels to identify the properties of the material that’s been spilt (e.g. flammable, toxic, corrosive, oxidiser).
- Get the right safety equipment before you act.
Contain the spill
- if the spill does not pose a risk to the safety of those onsite, work immediately to contain the spilt material.
- Stop the source by turning off the tap or valve, plug the leak or roll the drum over - if safe to do so.
Protect stormwater
- Contain the spill with sandbags or booms.
- Liquid spills: contain with compatible materials, so they can’t spread.
- Powder type spills: cover with plastic to stop the material from blowing around.
- Block off access to stormwater grates, sumps and interceptors.
Notify
- Site supervisors and Environment Canterbury.
Clean up the spill on-site
Clean up
- Liquid spills: pump the material into a safe container, absorb with an appropriate material or mix with a compatible solid so you can sweep the the contaminant up for disposal. Don’t use dispersants or emulsifiers.
- Powder spills: sweep or vacuum up the material and put it in a safe container.
- If the spill needs to be neutralised, get a properly qualified staff member to supervise. Otherwise, phone Fire and Emergency New Zealand, a reputable waste disposal contractor, or us for advice.
- Keep the contaminated area as small as possible. If it can be avoided, don’t walk through the spill.
- Clean up the area and any contaminated equipment or clothing after removing the spill. Keep it within the contained area and stop wash water or sweepings getting into stormwater or soil.
Dispose responsibly
- Dispose of contaminated materials and clean up gear or clothing as a hazardous waste, or ask your waste disposal contractor to dispose of the contaminated materials for you.
- Do not hose, spill, or tip wastes down the stormwater drain.
- Re-use uncontaminated materials wherever possible.
Restock and review
- Replace any containment equipment or protective gear immediately.
- Do a spill report immediately to find out how and why the spill happened.
- Check if you need to update your spill procedure to be better prepared.
Spill kits
Depending on the type of work you do, a spill kit might be required to safely and effectively deal with spills. The specific equipment needed for this kit will vary depending on the materials and quantities on site. It’s important that all staff know where the spill kit is and how to use the equipment.
A spill kit should contain:
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): overalls, protective footwear, facemasks, goggles and gloves.
- Spill handling equipment: shovel and broom.
- Containment equipment: bunding, drain guards, barriers, or drip pans.
- Absorption material: absorbent pads, sand or sawdust.
- A leakproof container to dispose of waste once the spill is cleaned up.
