Oil Spill Prevention

Here’s a startling fact – one half of a cup of motor oil can contaminate over 30,000 gallons of water. So if so little can do so much, what can you do to prevent oil spills? The first step is to be aware of the possible hazards in your workplace, including storage and use of oils. Some other keys to pollution prevention:

Store oil containers inside secondary containment. If you store several containers of oil, provide enough containment for at least one entire container.
Store containers out of the flow of traffic.
Tightly close containers when you are not using them
Make everyone in the area aware of what is stored and how to respond.
Clean up drips and leaks promptly.
Have a spill response kit available in the event of an accident.
And don’t forget – all oils, including edible oils, are an environmental hazard.

Some more oil pollution facts:

Approximately 60% of Americans change their own oil.
A typical engine holds 5 quarts of oil, while ½ cup of oil remains in a properly drained oil filter.
Over 200 million gallons of oil (5 Exxon Valdez-size oil tankers) are thrown into the garbage, dumped into storm drains or poured down the sewer every year in the United States.

If you change your own oil, make sure you take the used oil to a used oil collection center. Most places that perform oil changes are Do-It-Yourself used oil collection centers.
Call EHS at 581-6590 for more information on oil spill prevention and response at the U.