Code of Practice
COP 8
Issued Nov 99, Revised August 10
No 8 – CONTAINMENT OF HAZARDOUS SPILLS
1.
BACKGROUND TO COP
Reason for COP:
To prevent injury and damage to plant when dealing
with a hazardous spill. To contain and clean up any
hazardous leaks and spills.
Relevant Regulations:



Employee Training/Skills Reqd:
All employees likely to encounter such an event shall
be trained in proper response procedures.
Purchasing Policy Tools/Plant:
Each depot will maintain sufficient mop up and
containment gear for minor event. Spills requiring
specialist equipment or breathing apparatus to be dealt
with by trained or specialist staff (Fire Brigade)
Dangerous Goods Act.
Resource Management Act.
Haz chem handling instructions.
2.
COP WORK PROCEDURE
1.
Move away quickly to a safe distance; turn off ignition sources if you can.
2.
Seal off the area, but do not go downwind of the spill particularly if you are unsure of
material spilled. Protect waterways with bunds or cut-off drains.
3.
Look for injuries, if you find a victim; get them to fresh air, only if you can enter safely
without breathing apparatus.
4.
Identify what you saw, and don’t go back. Pay particular attention to any Haz chem
labelling.
5.
Promptly access the material safety data sheet to determine the action to be taken. If
you must check the material, use the buddy system, never go alone or contact
Council’s pollution team.
6.
Get help, nobody should clean up alone. Phone the Council’s pollution team and
inform management. If not available phone 111 and ask for the fire service.
7.
If the victim has come in contact with a hazard, remove affected clothing and flush the
affected area with running water until instructed to stop by an expert. Keep victims
warm and call for medical support.
8.
Contain the spill, stop the source and stop the spread. Do NOT go down wind if unsure
of contaminant.
9.
When cleaning up the spill, wear the maximum protection possible; be sure to have the
right protection for the situation at hand. Don’t touch, taste, breathe in, smoke or make
sparks.
Document1
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Hazard Identification & Analysis Worksheet – HBRC
Work Task, Activity
or Item of
Equipment
What can cause
harm?
How could potential harm situation
arise?
Significant
Hazard
Yes/No*
Controls that Reduce Harm
08 – Containment of Hazardous Spills
Performing job/
general duties
Limb injury from
slip, trip or fall
Burns
Document1
Date: August 2010
Incorrect PPE
Uneven or unsteady ground
Carrying excessive loads
Y
M
I
Ref COP 00 – Generic Fieldworker Operations
Minimum PPE – Overalls, gloves, gumboots and eye protection. Depending
on substance, additional specialist PPE may be required. If not sure ask.
If not experienced or trained, stay outside of cordon.
Obtain MSDS sheets
Maintain cordon area.
Minim PPE – Overalls, gloves, gumboots with tread and eye protection
Clear site of debris
Cordon spilled areas
Fire or explosion
Y
M
I
Minimum PPE
Establish cordon for no naked flames
Elevate control to specialist fire-fighters
Working outside generic hazards
Skin irritations or Incorrect or no PPE
chemical burns
Inexperienced with product
Working in wrong area
Status
Y
M
In place
In place
In Place
In Place
In place
In place
In place
Senior operator monitoring operation
and training.
In place
In Place
In Place
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