Companies must understand the importance of how to reduce chemical spilling when dealing with these dangerous elements. According to research from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, more than 150 spills in the U.S. each year involve oil and chemicals. These spills can wreak havoc on the environment and cause many long-lasting problems, so it’s imperative to prevent them from happening.
Best Practices to Reduce Chemical Spilling
Businesses should consider the following six tips to prevent chemical spills and reduce pollution liability.
Increase Pollution Liability Awareness
Unfortunately, many businesses don’t know how to reduce chemical spills. There are many causes of chemical spills, and companies must be familiar with every scenario that could cause a spill. Increasing awareness is thus an effective way to reduce the likelihood of chemical spills. Businesses should establish a task force that focuses exclusively on internal awareness initiatives and prevention strategies.
Store Chemicals Safely and Securely
One of the most common causes of chemical spills is the improper storage of chemical substances. Many companies store chemicals in old containers. Likewise, some of these containers have suffered considerable damage and have become susceptible to corrosion. All of these factors will dramatically increase the likelihood of a spill. Businesses must replace old containers with new ones and ensure that the containers are completely secure.
Properly Label All Chemicals
It is equally important that businesses properly label all chemicals in storage. Failure to label chemicals properly may cause other people not to use them correctly, increasing the risk of a spill. Labels should indicate the chemical that is in a container. Additionally, it is essential to label the container with the date the company received it and the recipient’s name.
Create a Spill Prevention Plan
Rather than relying on the verbal transmission of chemical storage policies, companies should document all protocols as a spill prevention plan. In addition to the aforementioned standards, this plan should outline each staff member’s specific role in handling chemicals and preventing spills. It will create a culture of accountability that further prevents negligence that can cause a spill.
Create a Spill Containment Plan
Spills can happen even if a company is incredibly careful and follows all of the best practices for handling chemicals. In this situation, a business needs to have a spill containment plan in place. A spill containment plan will include protocols for preventing the spread of any chemical that has escaped its container.
Find the Right Pollution Liability Insurance Coverage
A chemical spill can pose an obvious threat to the environment and the health of any person who is in its vicinity. Both of these risks are a significant liability for companies that frequently handle chemicals in daily operations. Luckily, a pollution liability insurance policy can mitigate the risk and protect a business from the potential fallout of a chemical spill.
About Haughn & Associates
Founded by Michael Haughn in 1986, Haughn & Associates is a full-service, family-owned, independent insurance agency based out of Dublin, Ohio. H&A strives to provide the best possible price and unique insurance solutions across a myriad of industries, including construction, IT, Habitation & Commercial Property, Agriculture, and Engineering. Devoted to providing the best of business insurance, life and disability insurance, personal insurance, employee benefits, and bonds, H&A is proof that success lies in long-standing client relations and satisfaction. To learn more about how H&A can be of service to you, contact us at (877) 802-2278.
