Silica Powder Spill Cleanup

Problem: Spill on Loading Dock Trailer

HazChem received a call for a silica powder spill on a trailer at a truck terminal. Silica, often referred to as quartz, is hazardous to humans, even in very small amounts. Therefore it was crucial to get this resolved as quickly as possible and eliminate exposure to any workers.

HazChem Solution : Prompt and Thorough HAZMAT Cleanup

HazChem’s Emergency Response Team arrived on site in under 60 minutes. The crew immediately donned the appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and surveyed the area.

They discovered a pallet with torn bags, and silica powder spread across a wide area. The pallet was unwrapped and unstacked to gain access to the damaged silica bags. The damaged bags were placed inside of a OTS drum and sealed and labeled for proper disposal.

The crew then used a HEPA-vac to carefully reclaim the silica waste from the trailer floor, pallet and the other product bags. The pallet was then re-stacked and rewrapped. All collected waste was placed inside of another drum, sealed, and properly labeled. The crew took final photos and received final customer approval for a job well done.

Why is a Silica Spill a Problem?

Breathing in dust from crystalline silica-containing materials can lead to lung disease. Silica dust particles become trapped in lung tissue causing inflammation and scarring. The particles also reduce the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen. This condition is called silicosis. Silicosis results in permanent lung damage and is a progressive, debilitating, and sometimes fatal disease.

Silica, also known as silicon dioxide (SiO2), is a naturally occurring compound found in various forms, including quartz, sand, and glass. It is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth and has numerous industrial applications due to its unique properties. Silica is known for its hardness, resistance to heat, and chemical inertness.

In construction, silica is commonly used in the production of concrete, cement, and bricks due to its binding properties and ability to enhance strength and durability. It is also used as a filler in paints, adhesives, and coatings.

In electronics, silica is used in the manufacturing of semiconductors and optical fibers due to its high purity and excellent electrical properties.

In agriculture, silica is used as a soil amendment to improve soil structure, water retention, and nutrient uptake by plants. It also helps to increase resistance to pests and diseases.

Who is at risk for crystalline silica exposure?

Nearly two million workers are at risk of silica exposure in the U.S. every year. This includes workers in construction, maritime, manufacturing, and hydraulic fracturing. More than 100,000 of those workers are at a high risk of exposure due to their job responsibilities.

This high-risk exposure is a result of certain job tasks, including:

• • Abrasive blasting
  • Foundry work
  • Stonecutting
  • Rock drilling
  • Quarry work
  • Tunneling

Therefore, it is essential that OSHA regulatory standards are followed closely. Accidental spills must be reported immediately, and cleaned up by trained HAZMAT professionals such as HazChem Environmental.

We are open 24 hours a day to assist, and your call is answered by an employee in the US, not an answering service or voicemail.  View our Emergency Services page, or Download our Services Brochure PDF.

SUPER-FAST 60-Minute Response Time

We understand the urgent and critical nature of your call for service. Our Emergency Rapid Response Teams are ready, willing, and able to respond quickly to remedy your emergency spill situation. Our Emergency Response Vehicles are pre-loaded with 90% of the equipment needed for any emergency situation. The final 10% will be added for your particular needs. This advance preparation enables us to deploy a Team within 60 minutes or less from our facility. Based upon our clients’ feedback, this is far better than the typical response time from most of our competitors. Their response is usually measured in multiple hours, and sometimes days or even weeks. Our Team is always ready to deploy, 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, rain or shine, including holidays. We do not rely on automated answering systems for our main phone line (630) 458-1910. Instead, we guarantee that a live person will answer your call, regardless of whether it is a weekend, holiday, or any other day.

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