Spill Prevention, Control, and
Countermeasure
(SPCC) Training
SPCC Background Information
What is Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC)?
– Federal regulation required by EPA to prevent oil pollution in waters of the United States
– Oil Pollution Prevention Regulations
• 40 CFR 112
• Originally published in 1973
Why is Texas State required to comply?
– We store more than 1,320 gallons of fuel or oil on campus in aboveground tanks
• Approximately 54,500 gallons onsite
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SPCC Background Information
What types of oils are covered in the SPCC Plan?
– Petroleum-based oils
• Crude oil, fuel, mineral oils, etc.
• New and used oils
– Animal-based oils
• Fats, oils, and greases from mammals or fish
– Vegetable oils
• Oils from seeds, nuts, fruits or kernels
SPCC regulation requires Texas State to:
– Prepare an SPCC Plan
• Annual employee training requirement
– Routinely inspect units and prevent discharge of oil storing units
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SPCC Background Information
Main Takeaway Points:
Why does Texas State need an SPCC Plan?
– To prevent accidental discharge of oil into
navigable waters of the United States
– Illicit discharge of oil into San Marcos River or
Sessom Creek can cause harm to wildlife,
swimmers, and the ecosystem
Texas State can be subject to fines and
violations if oil is discharged to local
waterbodies
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Training Requirements
Applicable to all oil-handling employees of the University
Training is administered:
– Initially upon hire via SAP – online training database
– Annually thereafter
SPCC Training will cover:
– SPCC Plan background and program goals
– Potential spill pathways
– Prevention measures
– Response procedures
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Goals of SPCC Program
Spill Prevention
– Practices or procedures implemented to prevent oil discharges to the ground or navigable
waters of the United States
Spill Control
– Control measures in place to prevent and/or contain incidental discharges of oil
Spill Countermeasures
– Procedures for responding to, cleaning up, and disposing of discharged oil
– Documentation and reporting
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Goals of SPCC Program
Spill Prevention Examples
– Maintain updated inventory of oil storage areas
– Maintain updated SPCC Plan
– Proper selection and installation of equipment
– Preventative maintenance
– Regular inspections of units
– Timely repair of malfunctioning systems
– Good oil-handling/fueling practices
– Employee training
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Goals of SPCC Program
Spill Control Examples
– Monitoring of leak detection systems
– Proper and timely reporting
– Utilizing secondary containment units
– Inspections of containment systems for functionality
– Spill kit utilization
Spill Countermeasure Examples
– Timely reporting to campus emergency response team (EHSRM)
– Swift response to spills
– Proper cleanup and disposal
– Documentation and reporting to the regulatory agency (if necessary)
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Spill Prevention
Spill Prevention: Oil Storage
Where is oil stored on campus?
– Numerous elevator hydraulic systems
– Aboveground storage tanks – 6
– Oil-filled electrical step-down transformers – 86
– Electrical selector switch – 1
– Waste cooking oil tanks – 18
– Drum storage areas (used and new oil) – 9
• Diesel fueled generators – 24
• Hydraulic trash compactors – 9
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Oil Storage Locations
Food Service Areas
– Dining Halls (Jones, Commons, The Den, The Lair, Harris)
Grease Traps Cooking Oil
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Oil Storage Locations
Vehicle Servicing Areas
– Maintenance Garages (Facilities, Parking Services)
– Fueling (Freeman Ranch)
Fuel Oil Storage Lubricant Storage
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Oil Storage Locations
Vehicle Servicing Areas
– Maintenance Garages (Facilities, Parking Services)
Waste Oil Used Oil, Oil Filters, and Antifreeze
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Oil Storage Locations
Various areas throughout campus with emergency power units or operational
equipment
Transformers & Switches Diesel Generators
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Inspection and Maintenance of Units
EHSRM Responsibilities:
– Conduct monthly inspections of all oil storage units
– Document findings and send reports to responsible departments
Responsible Department Duties:
– Complete preventative maintenance on units
– Respond to EHSRM reports and make necessary repairs
All Departments and Employees:
– Report unusual observations, leaks, or issues to supervisor
You are the eyes and ears of Texas State – We rely on you to report these
issues so they can be fixed!
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Best Practices for Oil Handling
Oil Transfers/Deliveries
– Implement responsible transportation procedures to minimize spills/leaks
– Always pay close attention to box/transportation instructions (i.e. THIS SIDE UP)
– If using contractor, ensure they are experienced in transporting oil products
Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance
– Monitor fluid levels for volume decreases
– Inspect vehicles after performing maintenance to ensure all lines are disconnected and
valves are closed
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Spill Prevention
What if we don’t implement these
Storm drain
inlet receiving prevention procedures?
rainwater – Failure to prevent oil discharges can
result in oil entering “navigable waters
of the United States” via:
• Spillage on the ground uphill from a
storm drain
• Intentional dumping of oil directly
into a storm drain or waterbody
(San Marcos River, Sessom Creek,
etc.)
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Spill Prevention
What if we don’t implement these
prevention procedures?
– If oil enters “navigable waters of the
United States,” the following can
occur:
• Detrimental environmental
impacts to wildlife, swimmers,
and habitat
• Texas State may be subject to
federal/state violations (and
potential fines)
Oil that has entered navigable waters of the U.S. is considered an illicit discharge. Illicit
discharges are prohibited by UPPS 04.05.16 and should be reported immediately.
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Spill Control
Spill Control
Methods of Spill Control
– Utilization of leak detection systems
• Secondary containment is used to capture oil that is accidentally discharged from unit
– Double Walled Transfer Piping
• Preventing leakage and backup to piping with “pipe over pipe” protection
– Slug Control Plan
• Local Program required document detailing how to prevent spills
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Spill Control
Double Walled Piping
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Spill Control
Methods of Spill Control
– Utilize secondary containment units (permanent or temporary)
• Secondary containment is used to capture oil that is accidentally discharged from unit
– Inspect secondary containment for cracks, openings, or weaknesses that could result in a
discharge of oil to the ground
– Monitor spills in secondary containment, clean as needed
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Spill Control
Methods of Spill Control
– Double-walled tanks do not require structural secondary containment outside the unit
• Secondary wall acts as secondary containment within the unit to capture discharges of oil
Double Walled Tank
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Spill Control
Methods of Spill Control
– Reporting discharges to EHSRM as soon as possible can help control the impacts of the
spill
– If discharges are not reported on time…
• Texas State could be liable for impacts to the environment
• Regulatory reporting will be delayed, resulting in possible violations and fines
• Impacts to wildlife could be exacerbated should a response be delayed
EHSRM Phone – Regular Business Hours
512-245-3616
EHSRM Phone – After Hours/On-Call
512-738-6650
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Spill Countermeasure
Spill Response
Reporting and Responding to Spills
– Safety First
• Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured
• Extinguish open flames or ignition sources (ex: cigarettes)
– Stop the Spill
• If possible and safe to do, stop the spill at it’s source
– Turn off valves
– Make sure containers are upright
– Protect floor drains/storm inlets
Notify EHSRM
Regular Business Hours: 512-245-3616
After Hours: 512-738-6650
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Spill Response
Incidental or “Small” Spills
– Less than or equal to five (5) gallons
– Considered “manageable”
– Low threat to the environment (i.e. not discharged to sanitary or storm sewer, isolated in
nature)
Clean-Up Procedures
– Only begin clean-up activities if you have appropriate training, if supplies are readily
available, AND only if you feel comfortable cleaning up the spill
– Use appropriate PPE and spill response supplies (clean-up supplies will depend on the
spill)
– Contact EHSRM for disposal of materials
If you do not have spill response supplies, or you do not
feel comfortable cleaning up the spill –
Contact EHSRM for assistance
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Spill Response
Examples
of
Incidental
Spills
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Spill Response
Emergency or “Large” Spills
– More than five (5) gallons
– Imminent threat to the environment
– Considered outside the scope of Texas State Spill Response Team
– Notify EHSRM immediately
Clean-Up Procedures
– EHSRM will contact 911 or spill response contractor
– You may be required to provide additional information for reporting (i.e. who, what,
when, where, how)
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Spill Response
Contact EHSRM if…
– The spill is more than five gallons and/or unmanageable
– You need assistance with spill cleanup
– You are unsure about proper spill cleanup methods
– The spill has discharged to storm or sanitary sewer
When in doubt – Call EHSRM
Regular Business Hours: 512-245-3616
After Hours: 512-738-6650
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Spill Kits
Where are spill kits located?
– Strategically placed
throughout campus
What is inside your spill kit?
– Baking soda
– Absorbent pads
– Gloves
– Goggles
– Booms
Notify your
– Trash Bags
– Waste tags supervisor if
– Emergency Numbers EHSRM needs to
restock materials
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Spill Kits
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Spill Kit Locations
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Spill Kits
Spill Kit
Spill Kit Spill Kit
Location
Location Location
Spill Kit Spill Kit
Spill Kit Location Location
Location Spill Kit
Location Spill Kit
Location
Spill Kit
Location
Spill Kit
Location
Spill Kit
Location
Spill Kit
Location
Spill Kit Spill Kit
Location Location
Strategically Placed 34
Reporting Spills
Reportable Quantities
– What is considered “reportable” to the State of Texas (TCEQ) or EPA?
– Any petroleum product (oil, gas, kerosene, diesel, etc.) that makes a sheen on navigable
waters (San Marcos River, Sessom Creek)
– Chemicals discharged into water or onto land that exceeds the Reportable Quantity
limit
EHSRM will contact the appropriate regulatory entity in
the event of a discharge to land or navigable waters –
This is only for your information
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Main Points
Be aware of where oil and chemicals are stored
Preventing spills is easier and cheaper than cleanup measures
All storm drains lead to the San Marcos River
If you see a spill or leak, report it immediately to your supervisor
Cleanup any spills in your workspace as soon as possible
Contact EHSRM with any questions –
We are here to help!
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Questions/Comments?
Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management Department
Smith House
736 Oscar Smith St., San Marcos, TX 78666
http://www.fss.txstate.edu/ehsrm/
EHSRM Contact Info
Regular Business Hours: 512-245-3616
After Hours: 512-738-6650
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