Emergency spill response is an important part of a company’s safety and health program. Well-prepared companies keep a plan of action and the appropriate cleanup supplies on hand in case. A simplified action plan for spill response might look like this:
The Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HazWOPER) contains requirements for cleanup operations; corrective actions involving cleanup operations; voluntary cleanup operations; operations conducted at treatment, storage, and disposal facilities; and emergency-response operations for hazardous wastes. The HazWOPER Standard, 29 CFR 1910.120, requires the following with regard to spill control:
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When developing a spill containment program, you should have certain tools on hand and ready to use in case an emergency spill occurs. Spill-containment tools can include spill berms, drain protectors, drain plugs, drum plugs, neutralizers, and sorbents.
Sorbent Forms
Booms are cylindrical and vary in length and width. Booms are used for the control and containment of spills. Some booms contain spills on water and can be connected together and deployed onto the water as a large spill barrier.
Socks or mini booms are cylindrical and vary in length and width. This form of sorbent is typically used in facility spill response or maintenance applications. Socks can be used to contain spills or can be placed around machinery or other equipment to contain leaks.
Pillows are rectangular and filled with sorbent media. They’re used to clean up medium-sized spills. Place pillows under drip pan to eliminate overflow problems or use as a precaution for a possible spill when transferring liquids.
Pads and sorbent rolls are flat, sorbent sheets available in rolls, perforated rolls, or manufactured to a specific size, up to 300 feet long. Pads can be used to line shelves, catch leaks under machinery, and clean up spills. Rolls can be cut to specific lengths for larger applications.
Loose or particulate sorbents are composed of sorbent media that are not contained in any type of pillow or mesh. The application of loose sorbents depends on the type of sorbent media used. Loose sorbents are typically used on small spills.
Sorbent Categories
The three categories of sorbents are universal, petroleum, and maintenance. These categories are made up of several sorbent materials, including synthetics such as polypropylene; inorganic materials, such as expanded silicates and clay; and organic materials, such as cellulose and wood fibres.
Universal sorbents are designed to absorb any liquid. They will absorb aggressive liquids such as acids and bases as well as non-aggressive liquids and solvents, such as cleaners, water-based fluids, gasoline, and alcohol. Universal sorbents are made of polypropylene or expanded silicate materials.
Note: When cleaning up hydrofluoric acid, do not use an expanded silicate absorbent, because the expanded silicate material will react with the hydrofluoric acid. Instead, use a sorbent made of polypropylene.
Petroleum sorbents or “oil-only sorbents” are designed for absorption of oil and/or petroleum-based liquids. These sorbents are hydrophobic, which means they will not absorb water or water-based liquids. These can be deployed on water surfaces for emergency cleanup of spills, or used in maintenance applications for hydraulic and engine-oil cleanup. Petroleum sorbents are made of polypropylene or treated cellulose.
Maintenance sorbents absorb non-aggressive liquids commonly found in manufacturing/maintenance operations. These liquids include coolants, lubricants, oils, and cutting fluids. Maintenance sorbents will pick up water-based as well as oil-based fluids. These sorbents are typically made of recycled materials, such as cotton, wool, cellulose, or corncob. They can also be made of polypropylene or a combination of the materials listed above.
Sorbent Capacity
Sorbent capacity can be listed by the amount of weight it will absorb in relation to itself, “Absorbs 12 times its weight,” or by its liquid capacity, “Absorbs 8 gal.” For example, if a boom weighs 1 lb. and absorbs 12 times its weight, it will absorb 12 pounds of fluid. However, since all liquids don’t weigh the same per gallon, the weight capacity of the sorbent actually varies from liquid to liquid. So perhaps a more accurate way to assess sorbent capacity is by how many gallons it will absorb or its liquid capacity. This amount will remain fairly static, regardless of the fluid weight. A boom that’s 4 ft. long and 3 in. dia. will typically absorb 1 to 1 gallon of liquid. A pad that measures 16″ x 20″ and is 3/16″ thick will absorb 28 to 32 fl. oz. Both of these examples are for polypropylene sorbents. Other materials may have different sorbent capacities.
Socks are more moldable than dikes or booms. The skin is constructed of a lightweight, knit material. Socks are mainly used in maintenance applications for containing and absorbing liquids. Dikes do not mold or form around equipment as well as socks, but are more durable. Dikes are used for containing and absorbing small and large spills in open areas. Booms consist of a particulate-type absorbent covered with a porous fabric. Available in various diameters and lengths, booms are used for containing and absorbing large spills.
Specially developed tests are used for calculating the sorbent-performance factors. The standard method of sorbent performance testing is described in detail in the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) standard F 716-82, the “Standard Methods of Testing Sorbent Performance of Adsorbents.” Oil and water adsorption strength, buoyancy, absorbency and reusability are some of the tests included in the standards.
Yes. These requirements may be found in 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.120, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response.
The handling, storage and disposal of these materials is governed by local, state and/or federal environmental regulations. It is the end user’s responsibility to comply with the respective regulations
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In addition to our proprietary testing procedures. Ready Containment tests all seams according to IAW ASTM D-751 standards.
We are an ISO 9001:2015 certified company in the design and manufacture of flexible liquid/vapor storage tanks, bladders, inflatables, and spill containment products, and while it’s rare that we have to repair our own products, we are occasionally called upon to repair the inferior work of others.
