Minuteman Spill Response - Emergency Response/HAZMAT Team

Recovery & Cleanup

December 7 th Click on any image to enlarge photograph
On December 7th we received a call from Columbia County called to request that a spill response team be sent to the East Bloomsburg Bridge across from the airport in Bloomsburg for a train derailment.
Upon arrival found that the train had approximately 20 cars including 5 tank cars that had derailed. The fire department chief advised that one of the tanks was leaking Sodium Hydroxide. A representative from the train company was contacted and the Minuteman supervisor was advised that 2 of the tankers contained Sodium Hydroxide.
The technicians suited in level B with SCBA to assess the extent of the accident and to devise a containment strategy. The technicians also wanted to visually inspect the entire scene for any additional potential hazards and to document the tankers that were involved. There was the potential that the Methanol tankers could have product of a varying residual quantity; therefore extensive air monitoring was conducted.
When the technicians arrived approximately 100 feet from the first overturned tanker they witnessed a brownish colored pool of liquid approximately 20 feet wide. The product was tested for PH and a reading of 12 PH was documented. The location of the spill was documented and marked to examine if the spill was growing and needed additional containment. The Sodium Hydroxide tanker appeared to have been punctured by a steel rail underneath the tank. The technicians conducted extensive air monitoring around the outside of the tankers and only normal readings were observed.
The atmosphere inside a breach in the one Methanol tanker was extracted with a probe and high readings were experienced and alarm observed. Due to the proximity of the derailed train to the Susquehanna River the decision was made to have our river deployment equipment on stand by.

January 11 th Click on any image to enlarge photograph
		On January 11 th we got a call for a leak in a trailer loaded with cylinders of Anhydrous Ammonia. Technicians suited in SCBA level A encapsulating suits to make entry into the trailer for air analysis and signs of a visible leak. Caps were removed from each cylinder and each was checked for leaks; those found to have a loose stem spindle were tightened. Upon reentry into trailer Ammonia odor was still present.
		Decision was made to clean each cylinder valve with water spray, then wipe dry, and use Nessler reagent. Yellow Nessler reagent turned bright orange when in contact with Ammonia. One cylinder was found to have a reaction and decision was made to install a metal plug to the cap.

June 1 st Click on any image to enlarge photograph
On June 1 st we were called for a trailer that was leaking Lead Sulfate. Upon arrival found that the trailer was leaking from the bottom. After safety zones were established and decontamination was set up technicians suited in level “B” PPE with SCBA to make entry into trailer. PPE was selected for both inhalation hazard and corrosive liquid that appeared to be present. Technicians found that liquid was leaking from trailer and that there were visual signs that the bags of powered Lead Sulfate were wet. Decision was made to unload bags and wipe down bags that were covered with residue.
When weather maps revealed that rain showers had passed, heavy gauge plastic was installed and bags placed on it. After all bags were removed, cleaned and, inspected for damage, trailer floor was cleaned and neutralized. Trailer was lined with heavy gauge plastic to prevent leaching and bags were then reloaded into trailer.

June 25 th Click on any image to enlarge photograph
		On June 25 th we got a call for a tractor trailer that was on its side leaking what was believed to be oil. After further investigation found that liquid was Basic Barium Petronate leaking from 72 55-gallon drums with damaged quantity unknown. Technicians placed booms, pads, and absorbent around trailer and in drainage ditch.
		Heavy equipment was dispatched to scene to excavate containment area for possible 3,960 gallons of oil. Trailer was winched to shoulder of roadway by towing company until cargo could be unloaded. Large containment area was excavated with machines to prevent oil from reaching storm water culvert. Vacuum trucks were used to vacuum containment area that was saturated with pooled oil. Cargo was severely damaged during the accident and many of the drums were completely ruptured or too severely damaged for transport. Drums in trailer that were not damaged were lifted and placed onto palettes, cleaned, and shrink wrapped. A CAT 262 loaded skids of undamaged drums onto replacement trailer provided by towing company. Severely damaged drums that were leaking were pumped out with vacuum truck by technicians. When cargo transfer was completed trailer that had remaining oil was pumped into vacuum truck then cleaned with absorbent.
		Tri axle dump trucks were used during excavation to transport modified soil to site for replacement of excavated soil. Contaminated soil was placed on heavy gauge plastic and covered until Form U paperwork could be completed and disposal approved. When excavation was completed samples were taken and documented by technicians, then site was backfilled, seeded, and strawed. Recovery of tractor trailer was performed by Minuteman Towing Inc.

July 6 th Click on any image to enlarge photograph
On July 6 th we were called for an overturned heating oil tanker. Upon arrival found that tandem axle tanker loaded with approximately 3,000 gallons of heating oil had rolled onto its roof in a field. Technicians removed belly valve to transfer first compartment then transfer pump was set up. When replacement tank arrived on site, units were grounded and transfer began.
After completion of first compartment technicians drilled tank to access second compartment and transferred remaining fuel.
The area that was contaminated with fuel was excavated to Department of Environmental Protection standards. Excavated contaminated soil was loaded onto tri axle dump trucks and transported to landfill for proper disposal. Excavated area was backfilled with top soil then seeded, grated, and strawed. Recovery of tractor and trailer was performed by Minuteman Towing and Repairs, Inc.

July 21 st Click on any image to enlarge photograph
		On July 21 st we got deployed for a complete Act 165 spill response team for a Hydrogen Peroxide spill in an industrial plant. Upon arrival found that four fifty-five gallon drums were apparently venting Hydrogen Perixide gas and spewing liquid from out of the bungs. After safety zones were established and decontamination was set up, technicians suited in level “B” PPE with SCBA to make entry into factory.
		Decision was made to remove remaining bungs to release pressure and then to move drums to containment area inside plant.
		Absorbent was placed on area that was saturated with liquid to absorb liquid and to reduce vapors.

September 20 th Click on any image to enlarge photograph
On September 20 th we got a call for a tank of heating oil that had tipped over in a yard due to severe flooding. Upon arrival found that oil had pooled all over the yard.
Installed booms and pads to contain spill and advised homeowner that yard needed to be excavated to prevent environmental impact.

September 21 st Click on any image to enlarge photograph
		On September 21 st we got a call for a diesel fuel spill from a tractor trailer that had been involved in an accident and had ruptured both fuel tanks causing a fuel spill on the shoulder of the roadway and down the embankment. The fuel had also drained into a storm water drain that had discharged over the embankment broadening the spill.
		The area that was contaminated with fuel was excavated to Department of Environmental Protection standards. Area close to site off of the Interstate was chosen to stage contaminated soil. A tri-axle dump truck was used during excavation to transport top soil, to replace excavated soil, and to transport contaminated soil to staging area. Contaminated soil was placed on heavy gauge plastic and covered until FC1 paperwork could be completed and disposal approved. When excavation was completed, samples were taken and documented by technicians then sites were backfilled with top soil, seeded, grated, and rolled. After approval for dumping was granted the contaminated soil was loaded onto a tri-axle dump truck and a dump trailer and transported to the landfill for proper disposal. Recovery of tractor and trailer was performed by Minuteman Towing and Repairs, Inc.

September 14 th Click on any image to enlarge photograph
On September 14 th we got a call for a tractor trailer loaded with Calcium Chloride Pellets that had rolled over, blocking both lanes of traffic. Upon arrival found that cargo had gone through the roof of the trailer and all over the interstate. Technicians suited in level “B” PPE and proceeded with cargo transfer.
All cargo that was not damaged was stacked onto pallets, shrink wrapped, and loaded onto a replacement trailer. Any unsalvageable cargo was put into fifty-five gallon drums, sealed, and transported to the landfill in a tri-axle dump truck for proper disposal. Recovery of tractor and trailer was performed by Minuteman Towing and Repairs, Inc.