Emergency_Spill_Plan.doc

PESTICIDE EMERGENCY SPILL PLAN

NOTE: Field personnel transporting or working with pesticides should familiarize themselves with this plan, as well as with the labels and Material Safety Data (MSDS) Sheets of all pesticides to be used in a project. A copy of this plan is to be carried to the field by all crews working with pesticides; a copy is also to be kept in an easily accessible location near the telephone at the district dispatch, work center, or reception desk.

Emergency procedures to follow when a pesticide spill occurs at the work site or when transporting pesticides to and from the work site are:

1. PROVIDE FOR CARE OF INJURED OR CONTAMINATED PERSONNEL

Immediately determine if any personnel are injured or contaminated. Each situation may differ, but the major and immediate effort should be to assist injured personnel and minimize further contamination. Accordingly, the following must be accomplished as rapidly as possible.

If a fumigant or dangerous vapor is involved, put on the appropriate respirator or breathing device. REMEMBER, this is an emergency procedure and not intended for prolonged exposure. Since many pesticides can produce toxic fumes or vapors, always ventilate enclosed areas to prevent buildup of toxic fumes.

· Remove injured or contaminated personnel from the spill site to a safe area.

· If eyes are contaminated with a pesticide, give first priority to washing them out using a portable eyewash bottles; or, if these are unavailable, any clean water. Remove contaminated clothing from affected individuals and wash pesticides off skin with detergent and clean water.

· If pesticides have been ingested, see Material Safety Data Sheet for specific first aid measures.

· Immediately seek medical assistance for injured and contaminated personnel. Do not leave contaminated individuals alone unless essential to secure first aid. If necessary, direct a third person to stay with the injured person until a physician takes charge and has been advised of the actual or possible pesticide exposure.

· Watch for the following symptoms of pesticide poisoning: eye irritation, skin irritation, gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, slurred speech, muscle twitching or convulsions, or difficulty in breathing.

2.

SPILL IDENTIFICATION

Determine product name for chemical(s) spilled and check Label and Material Safety Data Sheet for immediate hazards. Shut off ignition sources and stop any smoking in case chemicals may be flammable. Isolate contaminated area and keep unnecessary people away.

3.

NOTIFY

Cherokee National Forest HAZMAT coordinator: Rick Gamber, 828-257-4223 Cherokee National Forest Pesticide Coordinator: Bob Lewis (423) 476-9700, (423) 476-9747 Give the following information: Chemical name, location of spill, compartment number and stand number, if known, road name, and estimated size of spill in gallons.

The Forest Pesticide Coordinator or HAZMAT Coordinator will notify other key personnel and agencies as required (see notification list below).

4.

CONTAIN SPILL

Spilled pesticides must be contained as much as possible on the site where the spill occurs. Wear appropriate protective clothing. At a minimum, this will include suitable clothing for pesticide application, plus rubber or nitrile gloves and safety glasses or goggles. In addition, use coveralls or a rain suit, rubber boots or overshoes, and/or a respirator if extra protection is needed. Keep spilled pesticides from entering streams, storm drains, wells, ditches, or water systems by following these procedures:

· Prevent further leakage from containers by positioning them so that the damaged part of the container is above the level of the contents or by applying rags, tape, or other materials at hand to temporarily seal the leak.

· Separate leaking containers from undamaged containers.

· Rope or flag off the area and post warning signs to keep unprotected personnel from entering.

· Confine the spill to prevent it from spreading. Encircle the spill area with a dike of sand or other absorbent material; rags or similar material may be used if necessary. If spilled material may flow toward sensitive areas, divert it by ditching. If the spill involves a small watercourse, dam it up to confine the spill if possible. If available, activated charcoal may be used to filter contaminated water. For larger waterways, baled straw may be used to contain the spill.

· Dam or divert the flow of clean water around the spill if possible. Muddying the water may inactivate glyphosate. If the pesticide spilled is a liquid, cover it with absorbent material (kitty litter is ideal). If the spilled pesticide is in a dry formulation, cover it with a secured plastic tarpaulin to prevent it form becoming wet or being blown away. (NOTE: Unless this material can be reused in accordance with the pesticide label, it must be disposed of as a hazardous material.)

· DO NOT flush the spill into a ditch, sewer, drain, or off of a road, since this will further spread the chemical.

Vehicle spill kits contain necessary items for containing small spills (see list below for items needed in a vehicle spill kit). Large spills may require the use of a dozer and/or additional items from a storage facility spill kit, located at a District Office or Work Center.

5.

CLEAN-UP

Spill containment is the objective of this emergency spill plan. Cleanup and disposal procedures are covered in FSH 2109.12, Chapter 33, Project Safety Plan, in the 1990 Emergency Response Guidebook (“Orange Book”), and in the Material Safety Data Sheets for each pesticide.

6.

DOCUMENTATION

Document spill type, action taken, and any needed follow-up or assistance necessary, in a letter to the Forest Supervisor, with a copy to the Regional Pesticide Specialist.

SUMMARY OF CLEAN-UP STEPS

DRY SPILLS

Immediately cover powders or dusts with plastic or tarpaulin to prevent the pesticide from becoming airborne. A fine mist of water may also be used to dampen the dust and reduce spreading. CAUTION: Too much water may dissolve the pesticide and move it into the soil.

· Sweep the material together, rolling the tarp back slowly as you sweep.

· Shovel the material into plastic bags or drums.

· Seal the bags and label them, identifying the pesticide and other contents.

Store the containers of material in the pesticide storage building until the contents can be evaluated for disposal or reuse in a manner consistent with labeling.

LIQUID SPILLS

Pump or bail as much of the spilled liquid as possible into containers, then:

· Use absorbent material, such as commercially bagged clay, kitty litter, or sawdust to soak up the spill. Begin spreading the absorbent material around the edge of the spill and work toward the center.

· Shovel the absorbent material and pesticide, along with any contaminated soil into leakproof containers.

· Label all containers.

· Store the containers in a pesticide storage building until the contents can be evaluated for disposal or reuse in a manner consistent with labeling.

NOTIFICATION LIST OF KEY PERSONNEL AND AGENCIES

Forest HAZMAT Coordinator: Rick Gamber, 828-257-4223

Cherokee National Forest Pesticide Coordinator: Bob Lewis, 423-476-9747

District Safety Officers Ocoee/Hiwassee Ranger District: Yvonne Ledford (423) 338-3300, 423-338-3312 Tellico Ranger Ranger District: Trent Girard (423) 253-8400, 423-253-8407 Unaka Ranger District: Greg Salansky (423) 638-8741, 423-638-4109 Watauga Ranger District: Mitch Ketron, (423) 743-4044, (423) 735-1500 Johnson City Medical Center, Johnson City TN (423) 431-6111. Local medical facility to be used in event of an emergency in Johnson County and neighboring areas.

Laughlin Memorial Hospital, Greeneville TN (423) 787-5000. Local medical facility to be used in event of an emergency in Greene County and neighboring areas

SkyRidge Medical Center, Cleveland TN (423) 559-6000. Local medical facility to be used in event of an emergency in Bradley or Polk Counties.

Woods Memorial Hospital, Etowah TN (423) 263-3600. Local medical facility to be used in event of an emergency in McMinn County.

Sweetwater Hospital Association, Sweetwater TN (865) 213-8200. Local medical facility to be used in event of an emergency in Monroe County.

Notify the following if spill is larger than five (5) gallons

USFS Region 8 Spill Coordinator: Walt Sternke, Office Phone (404) 347-3369

USFS Region 8 Pesticide Coordinator: Michelle Frank, Office Phone (404) 347-2229

CHEMTREK – EPA number for technical assistance 1-800-424-9300 (NOTE: Chemicals we normally use are not on EPA’s hazardous list: you are not required to contact them.)

EPA National Emergency Response Center

1-800-424-9346 (Notify only if spilled chemical is on CERCLA Consolidated Chemical List)

Pesticide Safety Team of the National Agricultural Chemicals Association

(513) 961-4300 (For technical assistance)

State Office of Emergency Services (Report Toxic Chemical & Oil Spills) Phone: 1-800-424-9300 (Notify only if assistance is necessary or if required by State law)

RECOMMENDED PESTICIDE SPILL KIT CONTENTS

l 55-gallon open-head drum, or 50 gallon plastic trash can with lid l l8-inch push broom with synthetic fiber l bung and l bung wrench for 2.5 inch and 0.75 inch bungs l drum spigot

30 ft of .5 inch polyethylene tubing or l50 feet of garden hose