haz mat clean up

kwexpress · Mar 15, 2006

KW Express
o/o till i die

had a driver today involved in an accident and I would say no more than 10 gal on diesel spilled on the road.

the officers at the scene said we would have to get a clean up crew and called the epa and the epa gave them3 different crew numbers none of witch had a clean up crew.

since we do not haul haz-mat I have to admit I know nothing about it.
does anyone have any links to info on this topic?

has anyone been involved in this type of accident that just had diesel fuel clean up?

davekc · Mar 15, 2006

Most of your question depends on what state and what county or jursidiction you are in. If only 10 gallons, alot of states will just flush it through the local fire dept. But, clearly not all.
It as well can't go into any waterway.
This link may be able to help you.

http://www.spillcenter.com/spill_new_design2/press/adf.htm

Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

Moot · Mar 15, 2006

I hit a deer in southern Iowa. It took out the left front fender, bumper, headlight and of course the radiator. Got towed to a truckstop and was able to transfer the freight. There was a state trooper and a county sheriff having coffee. I asked if I should fill out an accident report. They came out and looked at my van. The trooper said I could fill out an accident report and send it into the state. But because of coolant loss the E.P.A. would be envolved and a haz mat clean-up would be required. I appreciated the troopers candidness and of course never filled out the accident report he gave me.

Loosing 10 gallons of fuel means it probably soaked into the soil. That usually requires removal of the contaminated soil and proper disposal.

I have a good haz mat story involving a helium leak. But I will save that for another time.

late for dinner · Mar 16, 2006

Hay Moot, don't keep us just hanging in mid air, tell us the darn story.

markafd · Mar 16, 2006

Just a little info from a professional firefighter and hazardous materials tech. It is federal regulation that police or fire dept contact E.P.A. on any spill of diesel over 5gal. I personally have A hard time judging spill size I ussually figure about 4 gal. But any fire dept that flushes a spill away is wrong at abest they should use hidry. We always fell sorry for the driver who is sitting at the light and a 4 wheeler drives into ther saddle tank (still try to keep it at 4 gal) . I would recommend carry some kitty litter and spread it before anyone with half a brain shows up( that would be a cop, firmen have almost a full brain.

davekc · Mar 16, 2006

Hidry is the right stuff. I couldn't think of it last night.

Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

kwexpress · Mar 16, 2006

KW Express
o/o till i die

thanks for all the info.the accident was just outside holland,oh

they got about 12 people on the scene for clean up at a cost of about $800 per hour just for the labor plus they charge for equipment used by the hour also. im looking at between 5-10 thousand
for the cleanup dont know yet cause they are still working on it.
talk about hight fuel prices.
maybe I should get some kind of fuel tank guards put on the trucks

MSinger · Mar 16, 2006

What a bunch of BS!!!!
No wonder our d*** insurance is so d*** high.

Didn't the petroleum come out of the ground to begin with??????

Just another way to screw the little guy in my opinion!!!

terryandrene · Mar 16, 2006

Here is a link that all transporters of hazmat, or persons who may be involved in or witness to a hazmat spill should be aware. The National Response Center is a 24/7 operation staffed by US Coast Guard personnel. It is the sole national point of contact for reporting all oil, chemical, radiological, biological and etiological (disease causing agents) discharges into the environment anywhere in the United States.

http://www.nrc.uscg.mil/nrchp.html Their phone # is 1-800-424-8802

By calling this one number, you will be put in touch with the appropriate Federal agency for a particular spill type. They can also help you with contact information for the appropriate State and local authorities. Don't ever assume that a single 911 call will solve all your reporting woes. If your spill is a large or particularly significant one, they will also send a Federal Response Team to help you mitigate the effect of your spill on persons and the environment.

As mentioned, Kitty Litter or straw make excellent absorbents. Shoveling dirt or other available non-flammable material on the spill if small, or in the path of the spill run-off can help keep the spill confined and make the clean-up easier and cheaper. Keep in mind, whatever absorbent or containment material you use, you must clean that up also before you go on your way. In addition, do your best to keep the spill from reaching a waterway. Any oil that you allow to get into the waters of the United States in sufficient quantity to create a visible sheen (that could be an ounce) is a violation of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (PL 92-500) and will subject you to a civil penalty of not more than $5000. That would be in addition to clean-up costs.

BanditMan · Mar 22, 2006

Retired fire chief checking in here...it's a great idea to carry your own absorbent, but straw is bulky and kitty litter is heavy. There is something even better that we carried on all of our fire apparatus and staff cars. A collapsable "pool". They are available in different sizes (10 and 30 gallon) if I recall correctly. They can be carried rolled up in a small bag, weigh next to nothing, and can be placed underneath the leak, even if it is only a few inches from the ground. Can't recall our source right now, but I'll contact my guys when I get back home and see if I can provide you with a name and some contact info. The big bucks come into play once the offensive substance hits the ground...if you can locate and contain the leak ASAP, you'll save yourself a lot of paperwork and money.

terryandrene · Mar 22, 2006

I like the Chief's collapsable pool idea. A kiddie pool can be stuffed into many a belly box. I also like a small bag of kitty litter; it's a good sorbent but also can be used for traction in the witer ice, at least for a van. I sure wasn't suggesting we each carry a few bales of straw/hay for use in the event of a spill. My point was to suggest any available nearby material that will help mitigate the effect of the spill and ease in the cleanup. Imagination is important in emergency situations such as a hazmat spill.

ATeam · Mar 22, 2006

I too think a collapsable pool is a good idea, but I chuckle thinking what might go through the mind of a four-wheeler driving by when he or she sees on a bright, sunny day, a broke-down, steaming, leaking truck on the side of the road and a stereo-typical, big, burley trucker next to it blowing up a kiddie pool.

Seriously, though, I'd be interested in learning more about the inflatable device the Fire Chief carried. Some of the HAZMAT we carry could quickly eat through a kiddie pool. If it's not too expensive, small, and lightweight, why not carry one?

BanditMan · Mar 23, 2006

It's not an inflatable kiddie pool, so you won't be embarrased (or delayed) in having to blow it up before you put it into action. The sidewalls are made of a semi-rigid material which is flexible enough to be rolled up, but strong enough to stand up on it's own once the liquid it captures begins to exert pressure on it. I'll see if I can get you a picture of them, along with the contact info. BTW, Terry, the wife and I have you and Rene in our prayers.