25 June 2007

Chemical Clean-up Brings Plea: Name Them And Stow Them

Containers of unidentified chemicals floating down rain-swollen rivers are a potential nightmare that could be avoided, say emergency and environmental authorities in Taranaki. And the solution could be as simple as writing a few words with a permanent marker pen.

Taranaki Regional Council investigating officers Glen Candy,
Robin Hughes and Mike Nager clear a washed-up drum
from East End Beach after heavy rain last month.

The issue hit the headlines after a freak downpour dumped up to 70mm of rain on parts of North Taranaki in four hours on 23 May. Drums and containers from farms and businesses were swept down streams and rivers and ended up on beaches between East End and Waitara. The labels on many of the containers had been removed or washed off in the floodwaters.

Taranaki Regional Council staff, dressed in hazard suits, removed the suspect items. But they had to get the contents of one drum tested to find out what it was.

Council Compliance Manager Bruce Pope says the incident shows why it's important for farmers and businesses to ensure all their chemical containers are accurately and permanently labelled and securely stored.

It's also important to change the labelling if the use of a container changes - for example, if it becomes a receptacle for old sump oil. This can be as simple as writing 'sump oil' in permanent marker pen on the side of the container.

It's also a good idea to include the name of the farm or business.

"That way we know what we're dealing with and can identify where the material came from," says Mr Pope.

His call is echoed by New Plymouth Fire Safety Officer and Hazardous Substances Adviser Peter Gallagher.

"We have a very strong desire to know what it is we are dealing with. We don't know if labels are removed," he says.

Such information can be a life-or-death issue in emergencies - not only floods, but also fires, car accidents or chemical poisoning incidents.

"We would advise marking all containers, even those that have manufacturer's labels, as these can often get washed off or destroyed," he says. "And if the use of the container is changed, label it accordingly."

Both Mr Pope and Mr Gallagher say drums and containers of chemicals should also be stored securely for safety and so they are less likely to be washed away in a sudden heavy downpour.

Mr Pope says that in many cases, such labelling and storage standards are required under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996.

For more information, see www.hsno.govt.nz. Members of Federated Farmers can also access an information sheet at http://www.fedfarm.org.nz/members/hsno_fert_fs.html

ENDS

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