Preventing Stormwater Pollution at Your Public Works Facility
Script for Module 3: Spill Prevention & response
Slide 1:
Welcome back to our training sessions
Slide 2:
We’ve gone over the concept of watershed, and why there is
concern over runoff. Then we looked at what a SWPPP is. For exercise, we’ve
looked at how runoff flows from our facility, and how our outdoor activities may
put pollutants into the flow path
Slide 3:
The remaining modules are about practices to reduce the chances of
those pollutants getting picked up by runoff. Today we’ll look at spill
prevention & response. This is a general overview of what might spill,
preventing spills, and responding to spills
Slide 4:
So what pollutants might we be dealing with? If we look at one of
RIDOT’s Inventory of Materials with Potential Storm Water Contact (from a
SWPPP), we see materials such as petroleum products. These are nasty enough
to be covered under other regulations.
Slide 5:
The Oil Pollution Control Regulations, for instance, require a
facility with above ground storage tanks to prepare a spill confinement and
control plan. The State regulations have not yet been updated to meet the new
federal requirements, which add more detail to the contents of a spill plan.
Module 3: Spill Prevention and Response
Script
1
Preventing Stormwater Pollution at Your Public Works Facility
Slide 6:
RI’s rules and regulations for underground storage were revised
last year. Rule 8 (Operation & Maintenance) includes leak detection and
confinement, while Rule 12 covers spill response.
Those who handle petroleum products should be getting additional training on
oil spill prevention and response.
Slide 7:
The garage probably has other chemicals that can end up outdoors
as well. Many of these are also toxic, although in general the amounts that are
likely to spill outdoors would be small.
Slide 8:
Dumpsters can be breeding grounds for bacteria, especially if they
attract wildlife. Leaks or spills can end up in the local stream, wetlands and
other natural areas where they can cause problems.
Slide 9:
Then, there are the basic materials you need to perform your job of
road maintenance. Granted, spillage of these materials is not as big of a problem
as storage, but we all need to remember that these are not benign materials.
Cleaning these materials out of our catch basins and wetlands can be costly as
well as bad for the environment.
Module 3: Spill Prevention and Response
Script
2
Preventing Stormwater Pollution at Your Public Works Facility
The only items on this list that may not be a problem are the bricks and
cinderblocks. You’d have to have quite the storm to move them, but just
imagine…
Slide 10:
Any and all of this stuff can exacerbate the problems we face with
keeping our drinking water clean and our fish edible
Slide 11:
The biggest problem with our garages is that they concentrate
materials – we need to work on keeping the stuff on site. Preventing and
cleaning up spills is a small, inexpensive step that we can start taking now while
we figure out how best to address some of our more serious runoff problems
Slide 12:
So what are some general concepts to keep in mind for preventing
spills? The first is the “duh” solution – don’t use so much of the nastier stuff to
begin with. Facilities in the reservoir watersheds are to be commended for
switching from salt, which is sodium chloride, to calcium chloride – more
expensive, but better for our drinking water
Slide 13:
There are a number of potential leaks that you can prevent from
becoming problems with a little foresight. For example, don’t put your salt/sand
pile right next to that flow path you identified
Module 3: Spill Prevention and Response
Script
3
Preventing Stormwater Pollution at Your Public Works Facility
Slide 14:
Somebody might want to move this dumpster out of the obvious
flow path
Slide 15:
Repairing leaky equipment right next to a storm drain catch basin
isn’t such a great idea, either
Slide 16:
Build berms, dikes or dead end sumps around storage areas to
confine any leaks that might occur. Spill/leak protection and containment BMPs
are required for petroleum products, along with frequent monitoring and
inspection.
Slide 17:
It might be a good idea to make the dike tall enough and strong
enough to actually hold the material back.
Slide 18:
Put drip pans under idle equipment, or drain them – indoors or in a
bermed area! (And don’t forget to label those waste containers!)
Slide 19:
Store materials indoors, or put a roof over them, or make sure they
at least have a tarp over them overnight or during wet weather. Label all
containers, and check them often for leaks, dents or bulges
Slide 20:
Finally, keep in mind that spill prevention begins with each one of
us paying attention, following procedures (and bringing the need for
Module 3: Spill Prevention and Response
Script
4
Preventing Stormwater Pollution at Your Public Works Facility
modification to your supervisor’s attention), as well as making sure that a
properly-trained person is overseeing the handling of the materials.
Slide 21:
And make sure those delivering materials are also aware of your
procedures – language like this should be in contracts and posted next to the
delivery site.
Slide 22:
Before you have to respond to a spill, you should know what to do,
especially if hazardous materials are involved. A written plan for the facility is
required under the oil pollution control regulations.
Slide 23:
Every employee should become familiar with our response plan,
which is (point to readily-accessible Spill Response Plan; indicate its normal location at
your facility). This will tell you who to notify, where the spill response kit is, and
how to report the spill.
Slide 24:
Locate the appropriate spill response equipment at all potential
spill areas. That could include personal protective equipment, materials to
absorb the spill, brooms & shovels for dry cleanup, as well as drain covers, sand
bags and temporary berms to redirect the flow of liquid.
Module 3: Spill Prevention and Response
Script
5
Preventing Stormwater Pollution at Your Public Works Facility
Slide 25:
IF there is a spill, contact (insert name) immediately. If a UST
(Underground Storage Tank) releases, that needs to be immediately reported to
the Director of RIDEM, the local fire official and, if applicable, the public water
supplier. Any hazardous release or potential release should be reported to the
DEM Hotline at 222-3070.
Slide 26:
Contain the spill as close to its source as possible, by using an
absorbent, or placing sandbags or containment booms in front of the spill.
They’ve done a pretty good job here, throwing down something that might be
absorbing the spill, but…
Slide 27:
They forgot to protect the storm drain!
Slide 28:
Always use dry cleanup methods, using kitty litter, sand or other
acceptable absorbents on liquids first.
Slide 29:
And once you’ve cleaned up, don’t forget to put the waste
materials into the proper container with a clear label.
Slide 30:
And that wraps up the training module on spill prevention.
Slide 31:
Time now for another exciting exercise!
Module 3: Spill Prevention and Response
Script
6