Spills of manure, fuel, fertilizer or pesticides can endanger humans, animals, your property and the environment. Damage from spills may also be a liability threat to your business. What would you do if a vandal opened the valves on your pesticide or fuel tank?
Develop a plan to handle spills quickly and efficiently. Your plan of action might include
- A detailed map of storage sites and application areas, including
- A list of equipment and materials you would use to contain the spill, and their location.
- Containment strategies (like dikes and berms), including strategically placed extra soil that can be shoved into ditches or creeks to form a temporary dam downstream.
- A list of your state laws regarding spills. It is your responsibility to know the laws for your state; who to report the spill to; and the required steps for cleaning up a spill.
- For example: A Wisconsin state law regarding a manure spill - caused by you or by sabotage - requires that the spill and run-off be immediately reported to the Department of Natural Resources Spill Reporting Hotline.
- A list of of neighbors or equipment rental businesses, including telephone numbers and names, from whom you can borrow or rent equipment to contain the spill.
- A clean up plan that includes actions such as soil removal and disposal, based on the kinds and amounts of materials you regularly use and/or store.
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