Contain Spills through Spill Barriers
Incidents of hazardous chemical spills in the workplace is something that scares the workers themselves. The reaction of most people in the event of a spill is to try to do something to prevent it from spreading. Unfortunately, this is not the right way to deal with the problem. Trying to stop or slow down an unsafe spill is not to be done by workers because they are putting themselves in harm’s way. There should be spill containment training sessions which will outline to the workers the proper procedures in containing spills and this training should be addressed to those people who are exposed daily to hazardous agents.
Of course, the best way to do it is to have the right equipment for this problem. Spill pallets and spill containment berms should be available as a primary safeguard against spills. Perhaps the best weapon for this is to make sure that there is proper management of production and storage areas which are the most common places where spills take place. Transportation corridors should also have proper management and maintenance. One great idea is finding a way to channel the spill to a place away from heating elements and circuits to keep them away, and all workers needs to do is to simply evacuate the area.
Chemical storage in the form of external storage tanks can overfill or deteriorate, which can be a cause of leaking. If dikes are formed around the tanks, it can help solve the problem. These liquids are highly flammable, corrosive and harmful and it order to prevent them from spreading around, the dikes can collect them. Depending on the volume of the tank, the method is mandated by law and recommended by OSHA.
These dikes and barriers are very useful but consideration should also be made for vehicular traffic in the storage space itself. Make sure that OSHA does not prohibit installing dikes near chemical containers like they do for certain chemicals.
The use of diatomaceous earth is recommended by OSHA to control spills. This is a chalk-like substance that you can spread to stop potential hazardous liquids. This method is known to be effective. If worker can use diatomaceous earth as an element of a disaster response plan that does not put them in any harm, then it can be a competent option for containing a spill.
Spraying chemicals to the spill through pressurized applicators is also effective. The spreading substance can be stopped by these chemicals. This chemical will not only reduce the effects of the fumes, ti can also solidify hazardous substances in question. The spills can harden or can change their chemical composition to change its combustibility. It is easier to dispose of the spill if it hardens and once disposed of then the danger is over. Fast-acting agents can also used to produce quick barriers because they can affect the primary edges of a spill to swiftly lost its fluidity.
Source: http://www.dailyreleased.com/healthcare/the-major-problems-facing-care-for-the-elderly-today/