SE11 - Hazardous Chemical Spill Containment Equipment

Purpose

To provide guidance on a minimum standard of equipment an aquatic facility should have for a Hazardous Spill Containment

Spill Containment

State and Territory Regulations and Codes of Practice for the Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods state that you must provide spill containment that will eliminate the risk or reduce the risk so far as practicable from any spill or leak of solid or liquid Dangerous Goods / Hazardous Chemicals. This is required for every area where Dangerous Goods are stored and handled. All spillages or leaks of Dangerous Goods should be contained within the premises.

Factors that determine the extent of spill containment include:

• The nature of the Dangerous Good / Hazardous Substance - if solid, will it melt in a fire, if liquid, is it mobile or viscous?
• The quantity of the Dangerous Goods / Hazardous Substances
• The size of the largest container or largest spill
• The consequences of a spill
• Whether or not it is necessary to provide for the management of firewater or other extinguishing materials for an incident

Spill containment for liquids may be achieved by:

• Providing drains to a purpose built on-site catchment (for example, an interceptor or remote impounding basin)
• Grading the surface so that all spills are contained by the contours
• Bunding the area to form a compound
• Double walled containers
• Enclosing a tank with a partial or full height bund

Designing Spill Containment

The owner or operator of an aquatic facility should ensure that:

1. The spill containment system is impervious and can hold the Dangerous Goods until the spill is cleaned up.
2. The risks associated with the operation of the containment system are part of the design consideration.
3. The materials used in construction or for absorption are:
   • compatible with the Dangerous Goods and other materials in the vicinity,
   • appropriate to avoid contamination of ground water or soil.
4. The capacity of any compound is sufficient for the volume of liquid (including a margin for fire water) to be contained.*
5. Separate spill containment is provided where the Dangerous Goods that are not compatible are kept within the one storage area.
6. Absorbent materials, barriers and booms are provided where necessary to contain a spill outside areas where physical containment is provided or to assist in clean-up.
7. Contaminated firewater can be removed during an incident if needed.
8. Means are available for removing any rainwater that may accumulate in the area.
9. If the design and location of your spill containment system may affect emergency services operating procedures you should consult with the emergency services authority.

Specifically with regard to the aquatic industry:

• Bulk Hypo tanks must be installed within an impervious spill container.
• Dry chemicals must be stored within a spill container.
• Tubs or carboys of different chemical types must be stored within isolated spill containment zones.
• The spill container should be capable of holding the capacity of the individual container plus 10%.

Spill Kits

The owner and operator of an Aquatic Facility should ensure that Spill Kits are provided and readily accessible wherever chemicals are present. Commercially available spill kits can be purchased or an owner or operator of an aquatic facility may create their own. It is important that spill kits are tailored to meet the specific needs of each location where chemicals are stored. A good spill kit should include the following items:

Absorbents

• Universal Spill Absorbent: 1:1:1 mixture of Flor-Dri (or unscented kitty litter), sodium bicarbonate and sand. This all-purpose absorbent is good for most chemical spills including solvents, bases and acids (with the exception of hydrofluoric acid)
• Absorbent pads and rolls: ‘HazMat’ absorbent pads
• Acid Spill Neutraliser: sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate or calcium carbonate
• Alkali (Base) Neutraliser: sodium bisulphate, boric acid or oxalic acid
• Solvents/Organic Liquid Absorbent: Inert absorbents such as vermiculite, clay, sand

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Hand protection: chemical resistant safety gloves (i.e. disposable neoprene or nitrile gloves)
• Eye protection: Safety goggles
• Body protection: Laboratory coat /Corrosive apron
• Foot protection: Enclosed footwear, shoe covers
• Respiratory protection: Dust mask/Respirator (All personnel must be properly fit tested before using a respirator)

Clean Up Material

• Brooms, plastic dustpan and square mouth shovel to sweep up the absorbent material
• Paper towels for minor spills
• Plastic tongs/ scoops to pick up contaminated absorbent material
• A chemical resistant bin (i.e. wheelie bin) with a close fitting lid to hold the volume of spill and absorbent residues prior to disposal
• Heavy duty plastic bags for wrapping contaminated PPE

Reference

• State and Territory Work Place Health and Safety Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals

Previous Versions

• TO8 Spill Containment, Issued 1 July 2005, Issue 1