Hazardous waste spill management for businesses

1.  Know beforehand what hazardous materials you have on the premises.
   
   
2. Make sure both the product and waste product are properly labeled and stored.
   
   
3. Keep the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available and well organized.

• Flammable materials should be stored in an appropriate cabinet.
• Obtain advice from local fire officials on storage of flammable materials.

4. Reduce the amount of waste stored on site.
   
   
5. Be able to tell the response people:

• Which chemicals are on site
• Where the chemicals are located

6. Chemical compatibility is an important consideration in all cases.
   
   
7. Know if your building contains asbestos.

• Asbestos contamination can keep a business closed long after the initial emergency situation is settled. In King County, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is the lead agency for asbestos clean-up.
• Click here for more information about asbestos.

8. Health hazards vary with each toxic substance. By keeping MSDS sheets available and in good order, you will know what hazardous situations to expect.

Prepare a "spill plan"

1. Have a "spill plan" and train employees to follow it in an emergency.
2. Secondary containment of both product and waste is always a good idea. This can be as simple as a bermed area which is capable of containing a spill.
3. If you need help to develop a plan, call one of the following:

• Business Waste Line -- 206-263-8899
• HAZ MAT, Department of Ecology -- 425-649-7000

If you have a spill

Remember that when dealing with hazardous materials in an emergency situation, there are no second chances. The following are places you can call for assistance in dealing with a spill:

• For safety or fire hazard, call 911.
• For a spill that could reach surface water, ground water, or a storm drain, call the Department of Ecology at (425) 649-7000.
• If a spill flows into a sewer, call King County Industrial Waste at 206-263-3000 or your local sewer utility.
• If a spill has occurred in open water, call the US Coast Guard 206-286-5400.
• If a spill is to soil, call the Department of Ecology at 425-649-7000.