By Law What Must You Do If Oil Or Fuel Spills Into The Water?

By Law What Must You Do If Oil Or Fuel Spills Into The Water
Fueling Basics Accidental or not, under Federal law (the Oil Pollution Act and the Clean Water Act), it is illegal to discharge any amount of fuel, oil or other petroleum product into the waters of the United States. By law, any oil or fuel spill that leaves a sheen on the water must be reported to the U.S.

Coast Guard National Response Center by calling 1-800-424-8802,
Many states require you to contact them as well in case of a spill so make sure you know what agency to contact in your state.
It is also against the law to use detergents, soaps, emulsifying agents or other chemicals to disperse a spill.

These products cause the petroleum to sink, creating even greater environmental damage. While it may only seem like a small amount, it can permanently contaminate bottom sediments. Anyone who deliberately applies soap to disperse or hide a sheen is subject to criminal penalties and high fines.

To increase awareness of the issue, boats 26′ and longer are required to post an oil placard (available at marine supply stores) near the engine.
While fueling a boat is a relatively common activity, it can be tricky.
This video will help explain the differences between boat and car fuel systems and why extra care must be taken with fueling boats.

: Fueling Basics

What action you will do in case of oil spill?

Spills should immediately be contained and cleaned up with absorbent pads or boomed to prevent their spread. Notify the Coast Guard and your state spill response office, per federal law, and let the marina or fuel dock staff know about the incident, so they can assist.

What is the first immediate action to be taken in an oil spill?

Steps to Take in Case of an Oil Spill – 1) If any body sees oil on deck immediately close the ship side scuppers and alarm the ship staff by shouting and contacting duty officer on bridge and engine room.2) Stop all the transfer immediately and locate the effected tank and its sounding pipe and vent position.3) Emergency muster to be called up by the master and everybody must carry out their duty as listed in the muster list for oil spill.4) Use of SOPEP equipment and other means to be done to contain the spill within the ship.5) Lower the quantity of spilled tank to a safer level in any other permissible tank.6) Putting saw dust over the scupper plug will give an additional barrier for oil to go overboard.7) Collect the spread oil in a 200 litre SOPEP drum and clear the effected area.8 ) Master to enter the whole scenario in the ship’s incident report form and call up for meeting to discuss the accident so such accidents can be avoided in near future.

What to do if there is a fuel spill?

If a small leak of a petroleum product (ie. gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, etc) is discovered under your car, heating oil tank, furnace, etc., place a small pail or pan under the leak and stop the leak if it is safe to do so without causing further damage.

If the leak cannot be safely stopped or controlled, contact appropriate maintenance personnel (ie. service repair technician) immediately. If the leak cannot be contained in a pail or pan, try to prevent the spill from spreading. This can be done by creating barriers (small dams), blocking floor drains and soaking up the spill using absorbents such as kitty litter.

Protective gloves and safety glasses should be worn when working with fuel products. Never flush or dispose of fuel down the drain. Any material used to soak up/absorb a petroleum product and any impacted soil, must be disposed of at an approved facility.

Please contact Environment and Labour for a listing of approved facilities. Do not dispose of fuel soaked materials in the trash. These materials are flammable and can be hazardous to the environment. If the leak occurs inside a closed area such as a basement, garage, shed, etc., open doors and windows to allow fresh air in and/or leave the building.

A routine maintenance program may help prevent fuel spills before they happen. Fuel spills greater than 100 litres are required by law to be reported to Nova Scotia Environment. Smaller fuel spills that can damage the environment are also required to be reported.

Who is responsible for the clean up of oil spill?

Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund | US EPA Official websites use,gov A,gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure,gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the,gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Under the, the owner or operator of a facility from which oil is discharged (responsible party) is liable for the costs associated with the:

containment, cleanup, and damages resulting from the spill.

EPA’s first priority is to ensure that responsible parties pay to clean up their own oil releases. However, when the responsible party is unknown or refuses to pay, funds from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund can be used to cover the cost of removal or damages.

interest on the fund, cost recovery from the parties responsible for the spills, and any fines or civil penalties collected.

The Fund is administered by the The Fund can provide up to $1 billion for any one oil pollution incident, including up to $500 million for the initiation of natural resource damage assessments and claims in connection with any single incident. The main uses of Fund expenditures are:

state access for removal actions; payments to federal, state, and Indian tribe trustees to carry out natural resource damage assessments and restorations; payment of claims for uncompensated removal costs and damages; and research and development and other specific appropriations.

More information about this program is available from the, to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem. Last updated on December 20, 2022 : Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund | US EPA

How do you clean up a fuel oil spill?

Respond immediately to fuel oil spills. Clean up small drips and spills by following the instructions in this fact sheet. For spills involving more than one gallon of fuel oil, hire a cleanup company specializing in hazardous materials and spill response.

There are two types of home fuel oil spills, small and large.
Small spills happen when a few drops of fuel oil drip out of the tank or pipes.
Large home fuel oil spills can occur when basement storage tanks are overfilled, an attempt is made to fill a tank that has been removed, a tank has overturned in a flooded basement, or fuel oil is accidentally put into a septic tank vent or well casing.

All large spills will require some amount of professional help to clean up. Always respond immediately to fuel oil spills, no matter how small. The successful clean up of spilled fuel oil depends on a quick response. Fuel oil that has soaked into concrete floors and wood support beams, or has had time to flow into cracks or drains and get beneath floors and walls will be more difficult to clean up.

Sometimes demolition and removal is the only option when walls and floors are saturated with fuel oil.
If fuel oil left the house through cracks in the floors, drain tile systems, sump pumps etc.
An environmental investigation may be needed that includes collecting soil and groundwater samples and cleanup of contaminated soil and/or groundwater.

It is important to use proper clean up methods.

Turn off all flame and spark sources. Don’t smoke or light matches in the area. Extinguish pilot lights on furnaces, water heaters, and gas dryers. Turn off gas appliances that have electronic ignitions. Do not attempt to clean up spilled oil with a shop vac or use any electric appliances or power tools. Keep all sources of ignition away from the area until the spill is completely cleaned up.

Open basement windows to ventilate the area. Close all basement cold air returns and heat registers, including the basement door. Close other openings that may allow vapors to enter the upper floors of your home. If your basement has been found not to be in danger of exploding from the fuel oil vapors, you can also ventilate the area with electric fans.

Small spills (anything less than a gallon) can often be cleaned up successfully by the homeowner. Call a professional cleaning service if you need help with the clean up, or if the fuel oil odors remain.

When cleaning up a small fuel oil spill, wear rubber gloves and old shoes or boots that can be thrown away. Ventilate the area as much as possible during the clean up. Wash exposed skin with soap and warm water.

Spread an absorbent material, like cat litter or sawdust, over the spill. Shovel the absorbed oil into heavy-duty plastic bags. Keep the bags outside until they can be picked up for disposal. Anything porous that came into contact with the spilled oil should be removed and properly disposed of if can not be cleaned. Examples are wood and drywall walls, carpeting and other flooring, clothing, furniture etc. Use soap and hot water to clean the floor, walls, appliances and other hard surfaces. Check under appliances, such as the washer and dryer, to be sure all of the oily residue is removed. Repeated cleanings may be necessary.

If an oil delivery company was involved, call them immediately to report the spill. If the oil delivery company caused the spill, they can be asked to take care of the clean up. Report the spill to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 24-hour hotline, 1-800-943-0003. Contact your local fire department to determine if there is an explosion hazard. They may also be able to provide fans to ventilate the area. You may also wish to contact your local health department and home insurance agent.

It is best to avoid breathing the fuel oil fumes and minimize skin contact. Fuel oil contains many substances which vary in their toxicity. Short term exposure may cause headaches, nausea and dizziness, prolonged exposure can cause serious health problems. Consider staying at a motel or with relatives until the clean up is complete. Moving out of your home for a day or two may be a good idea, especially if there are young children, elderly, or medically compromised people in the home.

Call a professional cleaning service.; Your local health department or DNR office may be able to give you a list of professional cleaning services in your area. If fuel oil has escaped the building as noted above, an environmental consultant may be needed. They may collect soil and groundwater samples to define the extent of contamination resulting from the fuel oil that left the building, and to determine an appropriate cleanup strategy.

The clean up of a fuel oil spill is not complete until odors are gone. If fuel oil spills are promptly and completely cleaned, residual odors should go away after several days. Persistent odors indicate a continued source such as saturated cinder blocks, contaminated soils, wood and drywall, sumps, or floor drains that need additional clean up.

The use of chemical air fresheners is not recommended.
These products merely mask the fuel odor by adding other volatile chemicals to an already complex mixture.
Their use may increase symptoms in sensitive individuals.
Brief exposure to fuel oil will not usually cause long-term harm.
However, breathing fuel oil vapors in an enclosed space like a basement can cause some short term symptoms.

At high concentrations (like those in large spill situations), symptoms can include nausea, dizziness, and eye, nose, or throat irritation. Getting fuel oil on the skin can cause skin irritation. Some individuals may be more sensitive to these effects than others.

Even at low concentrations, the strong odor of fuel oil can still make many people feel ill.
Getting to fresh air will usually relieve these symptoms.
Very long-term exposure to fuel oil odors in the home (exposure for many years) has the potential for more serious health problems.
These include liver and kidney damage, increased blood pressure, other blood problems, and cancer.

A simple “rule of thumb” is if you can smell fuel oil, there is an exposure risk. See a doctor if you have symptoms that don’t improve when you are away from the fuel oil vapors.

Call your oil delivery company. They may be able to help with the clean up. The DNR 24-hour hotline for reporting spills is 1-800-943-0003. Call your local fire department if you feel there is a fire or explosion hazard. Call your local health department or family physician for health related questions. Call your homeowner’s insurance representative. Your policy may provide financial assistance for clean up or temporary housing expenses. Visit the DHS Environmental Health home page,

Which of the following are appropriate actions when an accident results in a fuel spill or leak?

6.0 DOCUMENTED PRACTICES FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENT CLEARANCE – In an attempt to ease traffic congestion during incidents involving a vehicular fluid spill or a hazardous materials cargo spill, some states have begun adopting regulations, disposal guidelines, and documented practices to help guide first responders.

Use quick clean-up techniques by first responders; Protect water resources by implementing quick clean-up techniques by first responders; Hire pre-designated private response contractors to handle the spill; and Improve coordination and preparedness efforts by DOT, police, fire, and tow operators.

Table 8 Incident Management Practices Implemented and Used by Other Agencies

State	Guidance
Florida ( 1 )	In situations involving vehicle fluid spills on a roadway, from both commercial and private vehicles, the preferred clean-up method is to soak up as much material as possible using absorbent materials. The absorbent materials are also moved out of the travel lanes and stored at the roadside, preferably well off the shoulder. In some cases, the material may be containerized and placed in the damaged vehicle(s) for removal by the towing company. DOT and other crash-scene responders may apply absorbents and sweep off travel lanes regardless of the quantity. It is not necessary to await a licensed clean-up contractor. Clean-up normally involves the use of granular absorbents or vermiculite, floor sweep, peat moss, pads and booms, clay, or topsoil. In limited situations, sand can also be used, but it is better suited for increasing friction than for use as an absorbent. If immediately available, an alternative method for dealing with the thin film that may remain after absorbents are used is to apply a light dusting with Portland cement. The responsible party is accountable for vehicle fluid spillage, including the final removal and proper disposal of absorbents and, if needed, the subsequent site remediation. If the responsible party does not or cannot handle this responsibility in a timely manner, the governing authority (State of Florida, county, city, etc.) will initiate disposal and the responsible party will be billed. Clean-up actions taken by early responders do not affect or limit this responsibility. Additional or incidental material spilled during the relocation of the vehicle out of the travel lanes of the roadway can be cleaned up and moved to the roadside with the other absorbents used at the scene. The responsible party remains accountable! Absorbent material moved out of travel lanes may be bagged in heavy-duty trash bags, wrapped or ‘diapered’ in plastic sheeting, or containerized in pails or barrels. The material should be well off the travel portion of the roadway and can remain there for a reasonable time to allow for disposal by the responsible party or a contractor (paid by the responsible party). The material may be placed in a container and placed in the damaged vehicles and removed by the towing company. The containers used to hold the material should be tagged and clearly marked to indicate the type of absorbent used and the material that was spilled. It is also desirable to indicate the responsible party. Care should be taken not to overload the containers used to store the absorbents. If trash bags are used, double bag and limit each bag to about 15 pounds. The reportable quantity of 25 gallons does not automatically prevent or limit on-scene actions to mitigate the spill. In fact, prompt intervention is encouraged to limit the congestion impact and prevent the high probability of secondary incidents as a result of extended traffic blockage. It is very important that every effort be made to limit the amount of time the spilled fluids are in contact with asphalt pavement. Vehicle Fluid Spill Clean-Up Quick Action Guide Identify spill as a vehicle fluid Stop leaking material at the source Contain and limit spill from spreading Apply available absorbents Sweep material off travel lanes Second application, if necessary Gradually restore traffic flow Identify responsible party and mark location of material Assure proper notification made to State Warning Point
Colorado ( 2 )	In situations involving a transportation accident/incident that results in a product/fuel spill, reporting and clean-up by the responsible party is necessary if: The amount of petroleum fuel spilled exceeds 25 gallons, or other reportable quantity according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SARA Title III, Consolidated List of Chemicals 25 and/or The spilled materials have impacted or threaten to impact state waters. Where a transportation accident/incident results in a product/fuel spill, any accidental discharge to a sanitary sewer system must be reported immediately to the local sewer authority and the affected wastewater OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit 31 treatment facility. If the spill has affected surface water, downstream water users should be notified immediately. This may be coordinated with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) through the 24-hour spill reporting line. All appropriate actions should be taken to protect the incident scene, e.g., prevent vehicle/pedestrian access and move to a location upwind to await first response agencies. Persons should not attempt to mitigate or remediate the spill unless they have: Been properly trained and certified; The appropriate personnel protective equipment (PPE) available to them; The required support personnel available to effect an entry; and The response equipment necessary to stabilize the scene. First response agencies should make a good faith effort to stabilize the scene to keep the spill from spreading and affecting additional soil and water resources and other environmental receptors. Suggested actions include, but are not limited to: Covering the spill area with plastic, Placing absorbent booms in affected water, Placing clean soil berms and/or absorbent booms downhill of the spill and/or between the spill area and nearest waterway, Neutralizing or chemical stabilizing, if appropriate, and Diverting surface and storm water. Clean-up of spilled materials is required for any quantity of spilled fuel above the reportable quantity into soil or ground surface, and/or if the spill impacted soil, or has the potential to impact state waters. State OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit 31 waters include: lakes, reservoirs, ponds, streams, rivers, ditches, storm drains, manholes, wetlands, storm water, and ground water. Spills need to be remediated to CDPHE and EPA-approved thresholds where applicable, and to the strictest standards, where different. Other clean-up thresholds may depend on the material spilled, the media affected (soil, groundwater, surface water), and the risk of leaving the material in place. Clean-up thresholds need approval by Colorado DOT in order to issue a “No Further Action” determination to the responsible party. Excavation and off-site disposal is the preferred and most common method of soil remediation at Colorado highway spill sites. If excavation is not feasible or allowed, clean-ups may also include a variety of technologies, including, but not limited to, some combination of: excavation, air sparge, soil venting, bioremediation, steam cleaning, physical collection, and monitored natural attenuation. OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit 31 – A closure report is required for all transportation incidents involving spills in excess of 100 gallons on property owned by the Colorado DOT. This report should be compiled by the responsible party or their designee after clean-up is complete.
Texas ( 3 )	Texas DOT (TxDOT) personnel may only participate in containment, clean-up, or neutralization of material that has been determined to be non-hazardous to their health or safety. Texas Water Code requires that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and TxDOT develop a contractual agreement whereby TxDOT may be used for spill and discharge clean-up throughout the state. The following conditions must be met: The TCEQ and TxDOT execute an Interagency Contract (IAC) each biennium that incorporates requirements of the Texas Water Code. A copy of this IAC is provided to each district. Clean-up activities performed under this contract generally are at locations off the right-of-way and at sites that TCEQ has assumed responsibility for clean-up actions. TxDOT personnel should comply with the requirements contained in the Occupational Safety Manual 32 when requested to handle oil and hazardous materials. Only trained personnel should ever approach a fire or a spill. Containment, clean-up, or neutralization of the hazardous material should be accomplished by individuals or organizations familiar with or trained in such activities. The following steps should be considered general guidelines and may not apply for all circumstances: Notify law enforcement and fire department of roadway accident. Survey the scene from a safe distance and determine the responsible person. Consult the USDOT Emergency Response Guidebook 7 for specific hazardous material information. From a safe distance, determine the integrity of the container(s), determine the existence or possibility of runoff, determine if any dead animals are near, evaluate the distressed nature of surrounding vegetation, evaluate any markings on containers, and assess the physical characteristics of the material (color, solid, liquid, powder, or granules). Using guidelines in the Emergency Response Guidebook, 7 restrict access to the spill site. Keep the public away from the hazard. Provide traffic control, as needed. Notify supervisor by radio or telephone. Supervisor should notify local fire department, Department of Public Safety, and district hazardous materials coordinator. Supervisor should ensure that field personnel only conduct traffic control from a safe distance from the spill. Determine if a reportable discharge or spill has occurred and if so, the district hazardous materials coordinator should ensure TCEQ has been notified of the spill or release as soon as possible but not later than 24 hours after the discovery of the spill or discharge. Contracting (handled through District Maintenance or District Safety Office) : Contracting for clean-up, testing, and disposal is to be handled by: Third party—trucking company or manufacturer TCEQ—should they assume responsibility for the clean-up District—purchasing personnel with the assistance of the General Services Division Purchasing Section, if the responsible party is not taking appropriate actions or if TCEQ has not assumed responsibility for the clean-up. Hazardous Substance Spill Contingency Plan – The TCEQ is the lead agency in hazardous materials spill response. Emergencies involving spillage, release, and/or abandonment of known or suspected toxic/hazardous materials are the prime responsibility of the TCEQ. (Ref. Texas Water Code) It is important for TxDOT employees to remember that only trained personnel should ever approach a fire or spill. TxDOT personnel are specifically prohibited from handling, cleaning up, or otherwise coming in contact with toxic/hazardous materials at accident scenes or abandonment sites on TxDOT’s right-of-way. Doing so may adversely affect the health and/or safety of TxDOT personnel.
Ohio ( 4 )	The best practices for transportation agencies are to: Develop response protocols for freeway closures, which include pre-planned diversionary routes and traffic control in coordination with local public agencies. Meet with police, fire, and other local officials before incidents to review such plans. Install urban freeway reference markers at 2/10th-mile increments, which will allow cellular telephone callers to report incident locations with greater accuracy. Deploy freeway service patrol vehicles to remove debris from travel lanes and assist motorists who are broken down on the freeway shoulder or in travel lanes; include arrow boards to assist with traffic control for incidents. Create video links from traffic management centers to share with law enforcement and fire/rescue agencies. These video images can be used to minimize the amount of fire apparatus dispatched to a scene. Participate in the incident command system to communicate with fire and police agencies and advocate for the prompt clearance of the scene. Set up safe traffic control around the crash scene; divert traffic upstream of an incident through the use of changeable message signs; and provide traffic information to the media and general public. The best practices for law enforcement agencies are: Meet with fire and transportation agencies to review predetermined incident response plans. Within the unified incident command system, communicate with transportation agencies to establish traffic management/ detours, and direct a partial or complete reopening of the roadway as quickly as possible, under OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit.31 For accident investigations, efficiently collect evidence and survey scene using Total Station equipment or aerial surveying. For minor (non-injury) crashes, have dispatchers provide guidance to drivers on local policy for moving vehicles from travel lanes and exchanging information as per state law. The best practices for fire and emergency medical agencies are: Dispatch the minimum amount of equipment necessary to reduce the exposure of personnel at the scene. (Fire agencies can be aided by the receipt of video images from DOT traffic management cameras). Use effective training in the identification of hazardous materials to avoid lengthy lane closures for materials that do not pose a threat to people or the environment. Use effective training in temporary traffic control around incidents in order to keep lane(s) of traffic open when possible. Use effective communications as part of the incident command system so that partner response agencies are aware of progress in rescue efforts and can make correct decisions regarding traffic management and provide traveler information to local media. Commercial vehicle recovery involves unique considerations. Most importantly, commercial vehicle loads might still have value and there is an implicit right to salvage such cargo which can delay the prompt reopening of travel lanes. For recovery of some commercial loads, specialist companies are called in to handle a certain material, such as the case with a hazardous material or fuel spill. Other times, the trucking company or owner of the cargo will want to dispatch their own vehicles and personnel for the salvage operation. Involvement of such “third-party” recovery teams often takes inordinate amounts of time, depending on the distance of the company from the incident. Incidents involving hazardous materials, fuel spillage, and other pollutants may require oversight by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) Emergency Response and local hazardous material handlers, where available. First responders involved with such an incident should call the OEPA Emergency Response Hotline. The best practices for towing and recovery include: Pre-qualification of towing companies by municipalities, so the towing company called to an incident scene has the capability to handle the vehicles involved. Training law enforcement in the Towing and Recovery Association of America’s vehicle identification guide to ensure the correct equipment can be requested and dispatched to the incident. Weighing the cost-benefit of calling in third-party recovery teams, if their distance/time of travel will have an excessive impact on the amount of time lanes remain closed. Moving commercial vehicles or trailers to the roadside or shoulder to restore as many travel lanes as possible, as soon as possible; then performing any necessary salvage operations after the peak hour Pre-Incident Planning, Incident Command, and Major Incident Review Repeatedly, in the course of developing these best practices, it was revealed that communication is the key to improving incident management practices. Often, agencies are unaware of the impacts their operations have on traffic or the value of communicating incident information which can be relayed to the public. Transportation agencies should pre-plan diversion routes, so that traffic control and detours are arranged as efficiently as possible when the need arises. Such pre-planning should include a review of practices for incident command, communication with local media, etc. Transportation agencies should have equipment on-hand to handle traffic control, such as arrow boards, portable message signs, etc. All agencies involved in incident management should meet regularly to review a transportation agency’s pre-planned diversionary routes and best practices and policy. OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit 31 Communicate with transportation agencies in the incident command structure, so that proper decisions can be made regarding traffic management; Assess and request the proper towing equipment in parallel with other activities, so that towing and salvage can begin as soon as possible; Provide regular updates to the media, who can help inform the public about road closures, detours, and expected duration of the incident. Major Incident Review It is unfortunate, but certain, that major traffic incidents will plague Ohio for the foreseeable future. Just as certainly, some incidents will not be handled as efficiently as possible, leading to increased exposure of incident responders, more traffic congestion delay, and secondary crashes. Best practices are: In an environment of mutual professional respect, hold meetings after major traffic incidents to review performance, decisions, policies, or procedures that conflicted with the goal of efficient incident management; Communicate the meeting results so as to resolve conflicts in future traffic incidents.
Virginia ( 5 )	CONTROL THE DISCHARGE (stopping the leak) – Procedures used to control the accidental discharge of motor vehicle fluids should be based upon the availability of a local fire department’s equipment and training related to these activities. CONTAIN THE DISCHARGE (preventing the spread) – Fire departments generally have equipment, such as shovels, absorbents, and plastic sheeting necessary to contain an accidental discharge of motor vehicle fluids (non-cargo). However, use of this equipment for containment activities also requires training at a minimum of the (HAZWOPER) Hazardous Materials Operations Level. In addition, the use of air-monitoring equipment, such as combustible gas indicators and photo ionization devices, is strongly recommended to provide for the health and safety of responders. RECOVERY OF MOTOR VEHICLE FLUIDS (clean-up and disposal) Recovery includes the following steps: Step 1 – Reporting the incident Step 2 – Determining the responsible party Step 3 – Determining the appropriate clean-up enforcement authority Step 4 – Cleaning up the discharge Step 5 – Disposing of contaminated materials CLEAN-UP EQUIPMENT RESUPPLY – There are several options available to allow fire departments to restock containment and clean-up supplies used during clean-up operations. These options, along with specific details to obtain resupply through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM). Accidental discharges from farm vehicles or noncommercial vehicles. Accidental discharges from the fuel tanks of commercial vehicles or vessels that have a fuel tank capacity of 150 gallons or less. For example, a commercial vehicle with two fuel tanks, each with 70-gallon capacity, has a total tank capacity of 140 gallons. CLEAN-UP PERFORMED BY A FIRE DEPARTMENT, WRECKER OPERATOR, PROPERTY OWNER, OR RESPONSIBLE PARTY Clean-up performed by a fire department, wrecker operator, property owner, or responsible party should be limited to spills of a magnitude within their capabilities. Clean-up normally involves the use of granular absorbents, pads and booms, and dispersants. Dispersants are chemical agents applied to the spill. The use of dispersants is regulated. Guidance on the use of dispersants can be obtained from VDEQ. LARGE amounts of granular absorbents should be used to safely clean-up spills of gasoline. This is necessary to reduce the concentration of gasoline’s benzene component to acceptable levels for personal safety and health. Biodegradable absorbents and absorbents that can release their contents when compressed (such as pads and booms) can only be disposed of in approved landfills as determined by VDEQ. Contaminated absorbent material and soil should be placed in a suitable container, such as large plastic trash bags (double lined for strength), five-gallon plastic pails, or recovery drums. Care must be taken not to overload the capacity of any container used to store contaminated absorbents. If possible, separate biodegradable and non-biodegradable absorbents into different containers. Non-biodegradable absorbents include “kitty litter,” soil, sand, and vermiculite. Each container should be securely sealed and clearly marked to indicate its content. Markings should include the type of absorbent used and the material absorbed. Also, if a fire department conducts the clean-up, a point-of-contact for the department should be included. The preceding information is critical to ensure proper disposal. DISPOSING OF CONTAMINATED MATERIALS It is recommended that personnel from fire departments, law enforcement organizations, and transportation departments SHOULD NOT take possession of contaminated materials. Contractors or the wrecker company that conduct clean-up operations will remove and dispose of contaminated materials in a lawful manner. Fire departments that conduct clean-up operations should attempt to have contaminated materials disposed of in any one of the following manners: Request that the wrecker operator remove the contaminated materials along with the vehicle being towed. – OR – Leave all containers on site for disposal by either the responsible party or property owner. Stage the containers off the roadway and, if possible, behind existing guardrails, or otherwise in protected areas delineated by road cones, barrier tape, etc.
California ( 6 )	The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is the named Incident Commander (IC) on all freeways and most state routes. All communications will be through the IC. California Transportation Department (CalTrans) will take the lead to ensure proper clean-up of spills, but must confer with the appropriate jurisdictions, such as the County Health Officer, the County Agricultural Commission, and the Air Pollution Control District. If there is a disagreement between CalTrans and other responding agencies regarding closure or reopening of the roadway, the dispute will be resolved in favor of the maximum protection for the public and the CalTrans employees. If an emergency is declared, the IC has the authority to waive the Hazardous Waste Control laws to allow CalTrans or its agents to haul any amount of spill off the highway in order to eliminate gridlock and restore public safety. It is noted that CalTrans workers cannot work beyond their level of training or capabilities during hazardous materials emergencies. Principal tasks for handling a spill include: Safe approach Isolation and containment Notifications Identification and hazard assessment Clean-up and disposal Depending on conditions, clean-up may be preformed by a qualified person with a minimum training at the First Responder-Operational Level. The spiller of the material is responsible for mitigation and associated costs. All CalTrans personnel who may respond to a highway spill emergency must have received training in the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) as appropriate for the level of responsibility. Responsibilities, training, and reporting requirements according are specifically spelled out for each level of authority. Clean-up responsibilities are primarily done by specialty contract either through the spiller or through CalTrans. The California Maintenance Manual specifically addresses gasoline spills and recommends not using CalTrans personnel. If it must be done, the following conditions must be met. The clean-up method involves no contact with the liquid or vapors. The spill occurs in a well ventilated outdoor area. Employees will work upwind of the spilled material. Clean-up methods will produce no sources of ignition. The CalTrans Maintenance program keeps a statewide database to track hazardous spills and costs.

NOTE: Information contained in this table was obtained by reviewing numerous documents, and selecting a cross section of incident management practices implemented and used by agencies. The following documents were used to highlight these practices:

Florida – Guidelines For The Mitigation Of Accidental Discharges Of Motor Vehicle Fluids (Non-Cargo) 33 Colorado – Procedures for Hazardous Materials Spills That Occur on State and Federal Highways Within Colorado as a Result of a Highway Transportation Incident 34 Texas – Maintenance Management Manual, Texas Department of Transportation, Revised Jan 2008 35 Ohio – Ohio Quick Clear Best Practices Guide, March 2003 36 Virginia – Guidelines For The Mitigation Of Accidental Discharges Of Motor Vehicle Fluids(Non-Cargo) Prepared By Virginia Department Of Emergency Management In Cooperation With Virginia Department Of Environmental Quality, Virginia Department Of Transportation, and the Virginia State Police. July 2000 37 California-Chapter D5, Spills of Substance on Highway Rights of Way, California Department of Transportation Maintenance Manual. http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/maint/manual/Ch_D5.pdf 38

What are the three most common practices in cleaning an oil spill?

Responders keep an array of response methods in their toolkit for dealing with oil in offshore waters: skimming and booming, in situ burning, and applying dispersants.

Who enforces the oil spill Prevention and Liability Act?

3. Domestic production: In the Oil Pollution Act, the U.S. Coast Guard is in charge of screening the application process for vessels, however, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) implements and enforces all of the Oil Pollution Act’s regulations for offshore oil facilities.

What is the first to step in a spill situation?

What are the specific steps to containing a spill? When it comes to, we’ve outlined handling the spill in nine simple steps, as follows:

Evaluate the risk: Immediately after a spill occur you will want to ask yourself a few questions that will determine your actions in the next steps. First, identify the liquid. Is it dangerous to breathe? Is it flammable? Where is it spilling from? How big is the spill? If you cannot determine an answer to these questions, check the chemical safety data sheet. Stay or go?: Based on your answers to the previous questions, you will need to decide if you should stay and handle the spill yourself or to get you and your workers out of there. As a general rule of thumb, workers in the vicinity will be able to handle small spills if the chemicals do not pose a huge risk. If the situation warrants otherwise however, everyone should evacuate immediately and call 911. Alert everyone: Be sure to let all personnel whether or not they need to stay clear of the spill or evacuate the facility. Put on PPE: The PPE provided in a spill kit or stored nearby should be donned before addressing the spill. When in doubt of what PPE to wear, check the Safety Data Sheet and always go for a higher level of protection. Confine the spill: Cover floor drains and ensure the spill doesn’t spread by confining the spill with absorbent socks. Stop the spill: Identify the source of the spill and if you can, stop it. This may involve capping an opening, setting a container upright, or stopping the flow of a pipe. Clean up the mess: Using the sorbents in your spill kit, it is time to soak up the spill! Use pillows, cloths, and socks to absorb the mess. Then place the used absorbents in a container for disposal. Finally, clean and decontaminate the facility, equipment, workers, and their clothing. File reports: Fill out necessary and required paperwork regarding the cause, resolution, and effect of the chemical spill (usually required by overseeing government authorities). Restock the spill kit: As your last step, simply order a spill kit to replace the one you just used!

What are the spill procedures?

Spill Procedures: Major and Minor Incidents – Minor Incidents

Minor Incidents= spills you can handle by yourself Less than 4 liters spilled Isolate the area (don’t let others walk near or through the spilled material) Alert people in the immediate area of spill. Avoid breathing vapors from spill (if this is unavoidable, evacuate the lab and call for help). Put on protective equipment, including safety goggles, suitable gloves, and long sleeved lab coat.

How to Clean Up a Minor Spill

Confine the spill to as small an area as possible by cleaning it up from the outer edge inward. Use appropriate materials to neutralize and absorb inorganic acids and bases. For other liquids, absorb spill with vermiculite, dry sand, or adsorbent pads. For solid spills. Cover the spill with a slightly damp paper towel to avoid creating a cloud of dust, Push the material into a dustpan or other instrument using the towel – do not use a broom/dust brush. Collect material, used adsorbents/neutralizing agents, etc. in a polyethylene bucket or bag Place the contained waste in the EHS waste pick up area DO NOT ALLOW THE HOUSEKEEPERS TO REMOVE THIS WASTE Please contact EHS regarding the waste clean up Replenish Spill Kit Conduct an after incident review to examine what went wrong

Major Incidents

Major Incidents + Anything you don’t think you can handle Greater than 4 L Highly toxic Flammable Any combination of the above If you are worried about your safety such as should I be wearing a respirator to do this? Human exposure Any time medical attention is required Violent or run-away reactions Highly dangerous or unknown material Fires

When someone has an accident in a laboratory, it is everyone’s responsibility to help. ALL ACTIVITY STOPS until the accident victim is attended to. Major Incidents – what you should do

ATTEND to injured or contaminated persons and remove them from exposure ALERT people in the area to evacuate. If danger is believed sufficient – pull the fire alarm and evacuate the building NOTIFY the Georgia Tech Police at 404-894-2500 or call 911 for help and tell the operator:

That you are on the Georgia Tech Campus at _street address (on the emergency procedures poster) and in room _. The nature of the emergency (spill, chemical exposure, fire) If there is an injury involved, tell the operator that an ambulance will be needed. Provide as much of the following as is known.

What chemical(s) are involved. How much was spilled. Where the spill is located. Nature of any injuries. What control measures have been taken. Your name and phone number (or where you will be located).

IF POSSIBLE

Close the fume hood, shut off equipment Post a warning

DO NOT LEAVE THE AREA until given permission to do so by a GT EHS representative

What is the first action that must be taken in response to a large spill which carries a high level of risk?

Chemical spills can result in chemical exposures and contaminations. Whether a chemical spill can be safely cleaned up by laboratory staff depends on multiple factors including the hazards of the chemicals spilled, the size of the spill, the presence of incompatible materials, and whether you have adequate training and supplies to safely clean up the spill.

DO NOT enter the area if you cannot assess the conditions of the environment well enough to be sure of your own safety,
Small chemical spills of low toxicity which do not present the potential for over exposure or a significant inhalation hazard by being volatile or a dust can generally be safe to clean up by laboratory personnel.

Small spill is general a spill involving a chemical that is not highly toxic, does not present a significant fire or environmental hazard, and is not in a public area such as a common hallway. Large chemical spills include spills of any quantity of highly toxic chemicals or chemicals in public areas or adjacent to drains.

Evacuate all non-essential persons from the spill area. If needed call for medical assistance by dialing 911 from any campus phone or 415-476-6911 (from a non-campus phone and/or cell phone). Confine the spill small area. Do not let it spread.

Avoid breathing in vapors from the spill. If the spill is in a non-ventilated area, do not attempt to clean it up. Call for emergency personnel to respond and clean up the spill.

Don appropriate PPE including a laboratory coat, splash goggles, and appropriate chemically resistant gloves. Work with another person to clean-up the spill. Do not clean-up a spill alone. DO NOT ADD WATER TO THE SPILL. Use appropriate kit to neutralize and absorb inorganic acids and bases. For other chemicals use the appropriate kit or absorb the spill with sorbent pads, vermiculite or dry sand. Collect the residue and place it in a clear plastic bag. Double bag the waste and label the bag with the contents. Create a WASTe tag for pick-up.

Large chemical spills require emergency response. Large spills are greater than 1 liter or may be spills containing highly toxic, volatile or flammable chemicals. Immediately evacuate others in the area, close all doors and call 911 from any campus phone or (415) 476-6911 (from a non-campus phone and/or cell phone) or (415) 206-8522 for SFGH.

If the nature of the spill presents a situation that may be immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) to building occupants or present significant fire risk, and you cannot safetly or quickly alert others to leave the area, then activate a fire alarm, evacuate the area and wait for emergency response to arrive.

The UCSF EH&S Spill Response Team (SRT) provides 24-hour response to the UCSF campus, Health, and some satellite facilities. The SRT responds to any spill or potential spill involving chemical, radioactive, and biohazardous materials that may pose a threat to health, property or the environment.

Aromatic Amines Bromines Carbon Disulfude Cyanides Ethers

Hydrazine Nitriles Nitro-Compounds Organic Halides

Choosing Spill Cleanup Materials Ensure your area has appropriate spill cleanup materials before a spill happens. Polypropylene-based absorbent pads (such as this product ) are recommended for general spill cleanup use, as they are safe to use with a broad range of chemicals.

However, it is important to review the chemicals in your area and determine if specialty spill cleanup materials are needed.
For instance, if your lab has a large amount of inorganic acids, consider purchasing an acid spill kit that also contains an alkaline neutralizing agent, which will minimize the risk of chemical exposure & injury during cleanup.

Specialized spill kits are available for a variety of hazardous substances, including formaldehyde ( example kit ). For assistance with selection of spill kits, please contact your Department Safety Advisor,

What is an oil spill response plan?

What is an oil spill contingency plan? | US EPA Instead of providing secondary containment for qualified oil-filled operational equipment, an owner or operator may prepare an oil spill contingency plan and a written commitment of manpower, equipment, and materials to quickly control and remove discharged oil.

He/she must also have an inspection or monitoring program for the equipment to detect a failure and/or discharge.
What is an oil spill contingency plan? An oil spill contingency plan is a detailed oil spill response and removal plan that addresses controlling, containing, and recovering an oil discharge in quantities that may be harmful to navigable waters or adjoining shorelines.

The elements of the oil spill contingency plan are outlined in 40 CFR 109.5, and include: • Definition of the authorities, responsibilities, and duties of all entities involved in oil removal operations; • Procedures for early detection and timely notification of an oil discharge; • Assurance that full resource capability is known and can be committed following a discharge; • Actions for after discovery and notification of a discharge; • Procedures to facilitate recovery of damages and enforcement measures.

What is the first to step in a spill situation?

What are the specific steps to containing a spill? When it comes to, we’ve outlined handling the spill in nine simple steps, as follows:

What is the first priority of the master in the event of oil spill incident?

Accidental discharge of oil during bunkering does not take the ship out of business. But if the response after the spill is not correct, it would definately have the potential to not only take that particular vessel but the entire company out of the business. In this case the first priority is to contain the spill onboard and to clean up the spilled oil into the sea. While the spill onboard is contained & cleaned by the ship staff, the oil in the sea is cleaned by the shore clean up parties. In US, this is done by OSRO (Oil spill response organisation) and in China this is done by SPRO which are contracted by the company as per the local requirements.

So in US, master just need to inform the QI (Qualified Individual) and in China to the SPRO contact and they will take care of the clean up operation for the oil spilled to the sea.
Master also need to inform to the port suthorities (e.g.
Harbour Master) through agent.
Master may have to call the P&I club after discussion with the company.

After the investigation from the port and clearance to resume the bunkering operation, the bunkering can be completed and vessel can resume its voyage. Now where do superintendent’s actions fit in all this? On receiving the call from master about spill of bunker into the sea, the first thing superintendent need to do is to calm down the Master who would most likely be under extreme stress.

Start by asking, “is anyone hurt or are everyone safe”? After taking a brief of the situation, ask the master to send the Initial Situation report (usually company form or in US as per VRP). Superintendent then need to set up emergency response team in the office as per the company procedures. Next ensure that Master has informed the required parties such as QI in US or SPRO in China.

For other countries Superintendent may need to arrange the spill clean up company for the clean up operation. If not forwarded by Master, Superintendent need to formward the initial situation report to the vessel’s owners / Charterers. Superintendent need to instruct Master to contact the P&I club (if required) for arranging a surveyor as there may be claims of short bunker supplied.

What is the first thing to do after a major spill?