Many people are confused about the difference between over pack drums and salvage drums.  Both the UN and the US Department of Transportation give specific definitions of each.  This article is an attempt to help you decide which drum is best for you and your specific needs. 

Overpack Drums

• To summarize the US Department of Transportation regulation 49 CFR 171.8, an Overpack is simply a larger container in which a smaller one can be placed.
• It can be made out of any material, from the traditional 55 gallon metal drum  to a hard plastic overpack drum.
• Over pack drums are a type of protective packaging, to contain non-hazardous materials or provide outer protection.
• Not all overpack drums are salvage drums, but all salvage drums are a type of over pack drum.

Salvage Drums

If you need to transport hazardous materials, you will most likely need a salvage drum. Salvage and overpack drums may appear the same, but only those that meet or exceed the Pressure Test regulations as described by DOT 49CFR173.3(c)  are salvage drums. Salvage drums are a key component of any oil spill protection program.

 Important attributes of salvage drums are:

• Labeled that way by the manufacturer
• Capacity is NOT larger than 119 gallons
• The cushioning and absorbtion on the inside of the drum are compatiable with the hazard you are containing

Remember the key difference is over pack drums are used for the protection and handling of a smaller drum/container. A salvage drum is needed when there are certain liquids or substances that are hazardous materials, which could cause pollution if they leaked outside of their original container.

Oil Pollution due to floods can happen any time of year, but winter and early spring run-off are the most likely times for this kind of disaster. Hurricane Katrina, a significant natural disaster, was responsible for the release of more than 7 million gallons of oil into the environment. This originated from oil storage facilities, processing plants, and pipelines.  Business owners are responsible for any contamination and cleanup caused by their hazardous materials that may get swept down stream during a flood.   A spill contingency plan should address this possibility and provide a plan of action during a flood event.  Keeping a Hazardous Material Inventory with the plan is an important piece of information, especially when you need to know the quantities that may get wash away in a flood. Following are other tips to prevent oil pollution from your site during a flood.

• Store drums and other containers with liquid contents in or on secondary containment to lift them higher off the ground.
• If a layer of oil is on water in your basement or on your property, do not pump the water until you remove the oil.
• Use absorbent oil pads to collect the oil film off the surface of the water. 

Protect Yourself and the Environment Before a Flood occurs

You don’t have to be a manufacturer or in an industrial business to have hazardous waste after a flood. For example, retailers might have to dispose of flood-damaged hazardous products, such as garden pesticides or pool chemicals.  Prepare for disaster clean-up by making sure you have the following items readily available:

• spill-kits
• absorbents
• gloves
• boots
• coveralls
• eye protection
• duct tape
• plastic bags
• overpack drums

Home owners with an underground fuel storage tank can be suseptible to flooding caused pollution.  The State of Washington Department of Ecology (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/0909190.pdf) gives the following advice  to help prevent undergound tanks from leaking during floods:

• Keep gas in the tank, at least 1/3 to 2/3′s full, but do not fill to the top so there is room for any potential floodwater without overflowing.
• Make sure all openings on the top of the tank are securly closed.

Taking the necessary steps before a natural disaster is critical to protect yourself from liability, and the enviroment from pollution. Oil Spill prevention is always the best policy.

Click to watch video of Beacon Pro LED Flare

Winter weather is here and winter driving can get slippery and dangerous. EnviroMet encourages you to be prepared for an emergency. One tip is to keep a Beacon Pro LED Flare in your glove box or emergency kit to alert other drivers and emergency vehicles that you need assistance and keep you safe. Following are more ideas for a safe journey.

• Know your route before you leave and give yourself extra time.
• Stay in tune with weather conditions.
• Slow down and know how to recover from a skid.
• Use good tires that are properly inflated.
• Don’t drive when too tired.
• Stay in your vehicle  until help comes if you get stuck.
• Turn your lights on so others see you.  Put a Flash Flare on your fender.
• Remember bridges and overpasses usually freeze first.
• Don’t pass working county vehicles such as sand trucks and snow plows.

Check to ensure these items are in your vehicle:

• Beacon Pro LED Flares
• High energy food and water
• Cell phone and charger
• A blanket for each person in the vehicle
• Working flashlight with extra batteries
• Can of lock de-icer (never use water as it could freeze and create a bigger problem)
• First aid kit and necessary medications
• Jumper cables
• Tow chain or rope and tire chains
• A bag of kitty litter is ideal as a traction aid
• Ice scraper and brush

Check out http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/ for more winter driving and safety tips.

You may think of absorbents only in terms of pollution prevention, but more often, they are used within a facility to clean up potential slip and fall hazards. Most chemicals, cleaners, fuels, oils and other common industrial liquids are highly slippery when spilled on a smooth surface.

The High Cost of Slips and Falls

Slips, trips and falls are the most common type of industrial acident. Falls on the same level (rather than from a height) account for billions of dollars in workman’s compensations and medical expenses each year. This does not include the cost associated with lost productivity, nor the agony experienced by those who become disabled.  The causes of these falls are due to a variety of reasons:

• Wet, oily or otherwise slippery surfaces
• Rough floor surfaces in disrepair
• Loose or unanchored rugs and mats,
• Spills
• Ice, rain or snow
• Obstacles in walkway
• Inappropriate footware

Walking and working surfaces should always be kept clean and dry. In fact, OSHA standards require that, “All places of employment, passageways, storerooms, and service rooms shall be kept clean and orderly and in a sanitary condition.” And, “The floor of every workroom shall be maintained in a clean and, so far as possible, dry condition.” The following are good items to have on hand to protect your staff and maintain a clean, non-slip workplace:

• Absorbent rolls
• Absorbent pads or mats
• Industrial rugs
• Absorbent Socks
• Granular Absorbents (great for ice and rain slick surfaces)
• Spill kits

The faster you can respond to any size of spill with absorbents, the lower the chance some unaware person will become a statistic.

A Spill Response Plan, also called a Spill Contingency Plan (SCP) is a written plan specific to each business that clearly explains the company policy regarding spill clean up, reuse, recycling, and disposal on any spilled liquids, including oils, chemicals and soiled sorbent materials. A comprehensive Spill Response Plan should include the following information:

• Inventory of stored chemicals, fuels and oils -  including quantiy and location
• Training guidelines
• Chain of command
• Important phone numbers
• Location of available safety equipmenet,  materials, and absorbents used for spill clean up
• Proper disposal quidelines

Is your business prepared to follow the plan?

Quick spill response is important to reduce damage and exposure that results from any size spill.  Most people associate the words “oil spill” or “chemical spill” to a catastrophic event. While this can be true in some situations, most spills are incidental and occur in the normal course of daily business. This does not diminish the importance of following a well established plan that conforms to the company’s policy. Each worker should be trained and familiar with the chain of command and steps to be followed for any size spill.

A copy of the Spill Response Plan should be easily available where ever a spill is likely to occur. An adequate inventory of absorbent materials and safety equipment that is compatible with the liquids listed in the inventory must be maintained. These materials should be stored in an area or in a spill kit with easy access and signage visible to all employees. Each worker must be trained and regular drills performed to unsure a quick spill response and safe spill cleanup.

Specifications

• Size: Adjusts to Curb Inlet Drain Opening; smallest 22”; largest 26”
• Material: 8 oz Polypropylene, Non-Woven Geotextile Fabric. 8 gage wire frame with 3’ piece of 5/16” deformed wire support bar.
• Flow Rate: Maximum overflow rate varies depending on the level of soil that has accumulated with the fabric. Proper maintenance is mandatory to maintain maximum water flow.
• The STORM DRAIN DEFENDER has overflow outlets to allow excessive water during heavy rain showers to bypass the system, reducing the chance of flooding or ponding. Also, during high flow rates, water may bypass this insert by flowing over the back of the insert.
• Removes: Oil, Grease, Sediment, Litter, Debris
• Disposal: Disposal is dependent on nature of pollutants being collected. Disposal should be in accordance to local, state and federal regulations.
• Weight: Empty = STORM DRAIN DEFENDER units are approx. 3 lbs. Full = Weight of empty unit plus weight of sediment and water trapped in unit. Dry sediment could weigh 25-40 pounds. Fully loaded, wet units can weigh approximately 50-85 pounds.

Available in 50′ or 100′ sections. Versatile, medium-duty Boom is ideal in areas with moderate to choppy flow.

*Final product may be yellow or orange based on availability at time of order.
Anchor System also available.  Call for more information.

Helps You Comply! 33 CFR 154.1047(c)(2) and 40 CFR 112.7(c)(1)