A spill control and countermeasures (SPCC) plan is a facility-specific, comprehensive plan that outlines both the containment and countermeasures implemented to prevent a spill from occurring. It also includes a series of response procedures in the event that a spill occurs. It addresses three areas:
- Operating procedures that prevent spills
- Control measures installed to prevent a spill from reaching the environment
- Countermeasures to contain, clean up, and mitigate the effects of an oil spill that reaches the environment
Driven by the EPA’s Federal Water Pollution Control Act (as amended by the Clean Water Act), this ruling is designed to prevent discharges of oil and oil-related materials from reaching navigable waters and adjoining shorelines.
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Having an SPCC plan in place enables quick and effective response to protect the environment and support a safe and productive workplace for employees. In addition, it helps companies avoid the costly impact of non-compliance, including fines as high as $25,000 per day per violation (for more advice, see Top Tips for Preventing Chemical Spills in the Workplace).