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Chemical Spill Training

Training is essential to safely addressing a chemical spill. Improper emergency response to chemical spills can lead to injury, death, and irreparable damage to the environment. Spill response training is recommended by industry, government agencies, and is required by regulatory agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

  1. Emergency Planning

    • Students of chemical spill training must be trained to understand spill control and emergency response plans for their facility as well as their community and state.

    Hazard Identification

    • Responders must be trained to identify the chemicals involved in a spill and the hazards they pose. The use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and other references is critical to effective training.

    Site Management

    • Spill training should include information on requirements and methods of securing and controlling a spill site. Topics should include site security, emergency actions, areas of refuge, and control of personnel.

    Managing PPE

    • Trained responders must know how to select, wear, decontaminate, and properly dispose of personal protective equipment (PPE).

    Spill Control and Containment

    • How to control spilled chemicals by reducing or stopping their flow is a key part of spill training. Methods of containment to prevent the spread of spilled chemicals are an essential skill to teach responders.

    Decontamination, Clean Up, and Disposal

    • It is important to train chemical spill responders how to decontaminate equipment for reuse. The clean-up and proper disposal of contaminated materials is essential in assuring the proper completion of a chemical spill response.

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