When it comes to a potential spill or hazmat clean-up situation, time is of the essence. Prevention is always the primary goal, but if an issue occurs, facilities need to be trained and prepared to respond swiftly. The following is an example of a situation in which a facility utilized a salvage drum to efficiently solve a problem. It also demonstrates a great use case for salvage drums such as ours, as those who were on the scene quickly handled a dangerous chemical situation. We love to see stories like this where those present reacted quickly and appropriately.
Earlier this year in the town of High Point, North Carolina there was a report of a potential hazmat issue. At the local bus production plant, employees noticed a chemical storage barrel that seemed to be bulging outward and called the fire department. When the fire department arrived on the scene, they discerned that the 55 gallon drum contained a foreign element in addition to the specific chemical it was meant to contain.This foreign material was causing a chemical reaction, resulting in the expansion of the barrel and a leak. After identifying the chemical they were dealing with, the fire department responded by placing the original drum into a salvage drum. Once the spill was cleaned and the compromised drum was removed, the ‘all clear’ was given. Thankfully no injuries were reported.
Events like this can always be prevented with proper safe handling techniques, but mistakes do happen. Spill cleanup is just as important as prevention, a quick response with the right equipment can save untold amounts of time and money, and prevent serious injuries. We’re proud of those at the scene and the responders for all taking the necessary steps to clean everything up. Salvage drums are a vital tool for any business that handles dangerous chemicals, and can be easily used to handle situations like this effectively and safely. Remember that only salvage drums, not overpack drums, are certified to contain a leaking or otherwise damaged package. Utilizing an overpack drum to house a compromised drum would not be DOT compliant.