Spills and Other Hazards

In addition to drifting and evaporation, wind and wave energy advection and turbulence can cause an O/W emulsion to be formed which helps disperse oil into the water column and away from sensitive shorelines [562,563]. These droplets typically become weathered, accumulate suspended fine solids, and settle out [564—567]. For this reason oil-spill response teams may actually promote the formation of O/W emulsions from oil in the slick. 

The steps involved in the dean-up of an oil spill may involve any or all of containment, mechanical removal, shoreline cleanup, in situ burning, and dispersal. Dispersal is usually aimed at creating an O/W emulsion so that the dispersed oil drops can settle out as described above. Emulsification of the oil also accelerates microbial deg- 

Spills of the bituminous fuel Orimulsion are somewhat different from conventional oil spills because this material is an O/W emulsion to begin with (see Section 11.3.1). Therefore, instead of forming a slick and floating on the surface, these spills tend to immediately disperse into the water [588]. When Orimulsion is spilled in freshwater, the bitumen from the emulsion tends to sink to the bottom, whereas when spilled in seawater it tends to rise to the surface [588], 

With additional weathering, a multiple emulsion (oil-in-water-in-oil) may be formed. This form of emulsion can appear as lumpy or spherical objects in the thick portion of an oil slick. They have been referred to as Pea Floes or as Herdy Balls [82]. 

The steps involved in the clean-up of an oil spill may involve any or all of containment, mechanical removal, shoreline clean-up, in situ burning and dispersal. 

One approach to containment is surface chemical in nature. Surface-active chemicals can be added to the water around the oil spill, so that they will be able to spread out to form a monolayer, which in turn can provide a spreading force that acts against spreading of the oil. In addition to needing relatively calm water for this to work, the oil needs to be collected relatively quickly after it has been contained in this way. In this kind of oil spill treatment, the surface-active materials are sometimes called surface-collecting chemicals the containing action of the spread monolayer(s) is sometimes referred to as herding [82, 83]. 

---

Open process structures have no exterior or interior walls to impede air circulation. They may have roofs or solid floors and decks associated with specific equipment. The natural air circulation associated with open process structures assists in the dilution and dissipation of vapors from spills or releases of flammable and other hazardous materials. Open process structures may also permit access for more effective manual firefighting from outside of the structure. 

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 created a program known as Superfund, designed to clean up hazardous waste sites as well as accidents, spills, and other releases of pollutants into the environment. 

Specific foams have been developed for use in vapor suppression and the reactivity mitigation of hazardous material spills. While they have been found to be effective on specific materials (Norman, 1987), such foams are no longer manufactured for commercial sale because of a lack of consumer demand. The foam presently recognized as today s prime vapor suppressant is a universal foam, a special type of AFFF with a biosynthesized polymer. Typically proportioned at 3%, this foam is appropriate for use on hydrocarbons, polar solvents, and other hazardous materials (Chubb National Foam, 1992a). 

Part Two provides the reader with the necessary information needed to apply, store, and dispose of specific pesticides and other hazardous agrochemicals properly. Emergency guidelines and first aid procedures are also provided in the context of handling incidents such as fires, spills and clean-up. 

The NFPA rating provides a simple system for the rapid recognition of the hazards associated with the many materials found at facilities that produce, ship, store, sell, and/or utilize chemicals and pesticides. The rating is concerned with the health, fire, reactivity (or instability) and other hazards created by short-term exposure as might be encountered under fire, spill or other related emergency conditions. 

Data bases have also been developed to provide information in emergency situations involving spills of chemicals and other hazardous materials. The three most prominent are the OHM-TADS on-line data base, the manual CHEMTREC data files, and the CHRIS Condensed Guide to Chemical Hazards. 

Except when adjustments to the apparatus are being made, the hood should be kept closed, with vertical sashes down and horizontal sashes closed, to help prevent the spread of a fire, spill, or other hazard into the laboratory. Sliding sashes should not be removed from horizontal sliding sash hoods. The face opening of the hood should be kept small to improve the overall performance of the hood. If the face velocity becomes excessive, the facility engineers should make adjustments or corrections. 

Review facility historical accident and injury records to assist in identifying slip, trip, and fall hazards. Establish written housekeeping procedures and reqnire everyone including patient care staff to immediately report spills and other floor hazards. Incorporate slip, trip, and fall prevention education into recurring safety training. Conduct awareness campaigns to educate employees about the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Provide feedback on the actions taken to prevent slip, trip, and fall injuries. 

The dumping of hazardous wastes and other chemicals poses a significant threat and can cause fires, explosions, and pollution of air, water, and land. Spills, leaks, and other hazardous chemical emergencies are potentially dangerous situations. OSHA issued 29 CFR 1926.65, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER), to protect workers and help them handle hazardous wastes and substantial spills and leaks safely and effectively. 

List potential hazardous events for each section (following toe process, answer toe question what can go wrong ) Events may include equipment failure, fire/explosion, toxic gas clouds, toxic liquid/dust spills, and other accidents, such as falls or falling of heavy objects. 

Introduction of systems of work and procedures to minimise the chance of leaks, spills and other escapes of the hazardous substance... 

Many of the sites did not effectively identify the nature and location of potential emergencies. The contractors SSAHPs at Sites A, B, F, and K did not include site-specific information about the nature and source of potential emergencies. The plan in effect at Site H did not provide a description of the nature and location of potential spill hazards and emergencies, nor did it indicate the type of spill containment equipment available or the locations on site where this and other emergency response equipment was stored. 

The city s fire department now has 60 full-time employees, modern fire engines, foam-spraying trucks and other vehicles to combat hazardous materials spills and fires of all sizes. 

Be certain that spill hazards are reviewed as part of the plant s internal audit program. Audit-team members should be trained to look for deficient containers, fall hazards that also can contribute to a spill, improper container labeling, and other potential hazards. Major causes of chemical spills are ... 

Figure 23.1 provides a compilation of information on reported emergency incidents at hazardous waste combustion facilities and other TSDFs regulated under the RCRA. It covers emergency incidents such as fires, explosions, hazardous waste spills, or unauthorized releases of hazardous waste. The reported incidents at 24 hazardous waste combustion units and 26 other TSDFs... 

Direct release of acrylonitrile to soil during acrylonitrile production and use is believed to be minimal (less than 1 kkg/yr) (Kayser et al. 1982). Accidental spills or leaks from hazardous waste sites could lead to local areas of soil contamination, and acrylonitrile has been detected in soil at 3 chemical waste sites (NPL and other sites) being investigated under Superfund (CLPSD 1988). 

---