Assume that you are a Compliance and Safety Manager for a large industrial facility making plastics. In the manufacturing of plastics, chemicals and fuels are used in several processes on a fairly constant basis. In a large manufacturing facility, some of the more critical chemicals are stored onsite while other chemicals are transported via trucks or rail cars. For this facility, various forms of chlorinated hydrocarbons are stored on site. These chemicals are then transferred into plants via pipes. Storage, transportation, and usage of these chemicals must comply with local, state, and federal regulations.
Accidents can happen during the storage, transportation, and usage of these chemicals in the plant. Consider a large release of one of these chemicals during the transfer operation. Note that there is a 75 gallon per minute, non-potable, water supply well about 250 feet down gradient from the chemical release location. The groundwater from this well is used for washing and other manufacturing processes in the plant. Note: Apply what you learned/know about historical and current safety legislation and regulations that will help you answer these questions.
Think about this and respond:
1. Should any action be taken in this spill situation? Consider all facts from an environmental and human health point of view.
2. Would the state environmental regulators or EPA (Federal) become involved with this spill situation?
3. In this situation, what are the roles for the State and Federal agents.
4. What is at stake for the manufacturing facility? What steps should you take, as the Corporate Compliance and Safety Manager, to address this situation in an environmentally sound way?