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Pollution Prevention Initiatives
Non-Laboratory Chemical Use Areas
A number of locations at Penn State contain significant quantities of hazardous materials that are essential for their operation. All of these locations have instituted numerous, site-specific waste minimization and pollution prevention measures to protect the University and the adjacent communities.
This section presents some of the specific measures instituted at these areas. New minimization and pollution prevention initiatives will be added as they are developed and implemented.
Preparedness, Prevention, and Contingency (PPC) plans
Preparedness, Prevention, and Contingency Plans provide a formalized approach to managing large quantities of hazardous materials. These plans provide site-specific measures to minimize and abate hazards to human health and the environment from fires, explosions, or releases of hazardous and potential pollutants to soil or surface water.
Locations at Penn State that have significant quantities of hazardous materials have site-specific plans in accordance with Chapter 25 of the Pennsylvania Code and the "Guidelines for the Development and Implementation of Environmental Emergency Response Plans."
On-site Facility Managers have been integral in the development and implementation of these specific plans, with EHS oversight. Through site-specific training, facility personnel are able to provide prompt and efficient measures to prevent and mitigate spills, releases, and other emergencies that may occur.
Specific prevention measures include:
- Regular visual inspections
- Proper chemical container labeling
- Good housekeeping
- Secondary containment for large containers and waste materials
- Spill absorbent materials
- Storage of chemicals by compatibility
- Training of employees who handle hazardous wastes
- Appropriate equipment preventive maintenance
- Various security measures
- Appropriate materials handling/transfer procedures
- Plugging of floor drains
- Ready access to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Fire Pre-Planning at Farms
Advance knowledge of the quantities and types of hazardous materials present in farm facilities can ensure appropriate emergency response in the event of a fire or explosion. Knowing the location and specific chemicals present in advance provides firefighters with the specific information necessary to determine the appropriate fire response measures. By responding in the most immediate and appropriate fashion, environmental impacts of such emergencies can be minimized.
EHS staff, in conjunction with farm managers from Penn State's off-site research farms have recently initiated a program to identify and compile this information and make it readily available to response agencies.
Fire Extinguisher Training
Many small fires can be immediately and safely controlled when properly trained individuals use readily accessible fire extinguishers. The control of fires in areas using or storing hazardous materials is of prime importance when minimizing environmental impacts of fires and runoff.
The University offers hands-on fire extinguisher training for anyone who may be expected to use a fire extinguisher or would like to learn how to use one. When conducting this training, EHS uses a propane-based unit for fire simulation that eliminates the need for flammable liquids. Basic fire prevention and fire safety training is included in this program.
Each year the University sees an increase in the number of employees participating in this program and many of these participants have had opportunities at home and at work to use their training to extinguish small fires.
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