What Businesses Can Do to Minimize the Impact of Hazardous Spills

No business wants to be the cause of a hazardous spill. There are precautions that can be taken to help prevent or minimize the impacts of toxic events. Here are some simple guidelines to help your business prepare for accidents if they do occur.

1. Reduce or minimize the amount of oil and hazardous materials used or kept on premises.
2. Provide secondary containment systems.
3. Develop and discuss with your managers and employees a "worse case scenario." Prepare a plan-of-action to respond, addressing employee health and safety issues, equipment and supplies needed for containment and cleanup, and employee awareness and training.
4. Conduct drills and exercises of spill response plans for your facility and operations.
5. Prominently post emergency response numbers, including the Oregon Emergency Response System: 800-452-0311.

For additional information see the fact sheet What to Expect When You've Had a Spill (PDF)