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Emergency Services - Spill Response (Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant Cleanup)
The NIH Division of Environmental Protection has created a Spill Prevention Control & Countermeasure (SPCC) plan to prevent, or control, accidental petroleum-based spills in storm drains, dry ditches, wetlands, mudflats and sandflats. A SPCC plan should be used as a reference for proper oil storage; as a tool for spill prevention; as a guide for facility inspections; a guide for tank inspections; and as a resource during emergency response to control, contain and clean up an oil release. Please contact the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) at (301) 496-7775 for a copy of the SPCC plan.
Training
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SPCC rule requires personnel handling petroleum-based products to receive training annually to respond properly to spills in their work areas. The training course should cover the following:
- Regulatory overview
- Facility sources
- Spill prevention and control
- Spill countermeasures
- Spill reporting
- Overview of the facility SPCC plan
- Inspections and recordkeeping
When should you respond to a spill?
The SPCC plan deals with preventing spills. However, if a release does occur, when should you respond? When should you call authorities?
| Spills that are handled by trained facility personnel | |
| Incidental (Minor) Discharge An incidental discharge is defined as one that poses no significant harm or threat to human health or the environment. Incidental discharges are generally those where: The discharge is small (e.g., less than 5 gallons) The discharge can be easily contained The discharge is unlikely to reach a navigable waterway, storm sewer or sanitary drain Clean-up procedures do not pose a health or safety hazard Proper response equipment is available for a safe cleanup Response by trained facility personnel is recommended. | Spill Release Response Steps Incidental (Minor) Discharge Secure the site Control and contain the spill Notify the Facility Emergency Coordinator Clean up the spill Complete the Spill Incident Report form Refer to your facility’s SPCC plan for more detail, including notification information and reporting forms. |
| Spills that are handled by NIH Emergency Services | |
| Non-incidental (Major) Discharge A non-incidental discharge is defined as one that cannot be safely controlled or cleaned up by trained facility personnel, such as when: The discharge is large enough to spread beyond the immediate area The discharge cannot be contained The discharge may reach a navigable waterway, storm sewer or sanitary drain The discharge requires special equipment or training to clean up There is danger of fire or explosion | Spill Release Response Steps Non-incidental (Major) Discharge Secure the site Contact the Facility Emergency Coordinator Contact the Fire Department Complete the Spill Incident Report form Control and contain the spill Clean up the spill by Fire Department Refer to your facility’s SPCC plan for more detail, including notification information and reporting forms. |