Improper chemical storage is like a ripple effect in that small pond that is your company. One miscast stone or pebble can send shockwaves through your entire organization. Negligence in oversight and how you store dangerous chemicals can have negative impact for both your employees and productivity for years to come. Improper storage can cast a negative shadow on everything your company touches and forever tarnish a lasting reputation. Negligence in storage is like rust. It will eat through operating costs and a lifetime of hard work. Instead of acting reactively, strengthen your company’s resolve with a protective finish. Rely on U.S. Hazmat Storage for compliant chemical storage and avoid costly civil penalties.
A Missouri chemical plant recently learned how difficult it is to shake a bit of bad publicity when firefighters responded to a massive fire. At least one firefighter was injured as smoke from the towering inferno could be seen for miles. Dangerous chemicals reportedly leaked into the adjacent sewer system, as emergency personnel scrambled to put out more than one fire at this beleaguered chemical facility. The suspect chemical manufacturer told a local news affiliate that no hazardous materials were present at the time of the fire. While this might be true, the plant itself has been fined and cited multiple times for improper chemical storage.
Fire-rated chemical storage buildings can prevent leaks and contain fires
Last week’s chemical fire was likely this company’s coup de grace. Dating back to late 2017, the chemical manufacturer had various run ins with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Many of the infractions resulted from dozens of leaky storage barrels. As a result, state inspectors found areas of dead vegetation and contaminated soil. The company was eventually asked to submit a plan to the state detailing how they planned to deal with denuded landscape. Since the company didn’t have the funds to pay for such a clean-up, the entire area was declared a Superfund site by the EPA. This means that both state and federal funds will be used to contain this contaminated site for years to come. Instead of investing in compliant chemical storage, this manufacturer will be forced to seek out a PR spin machine to clean-up their tarnished image.
Although improper chemical storage might not have been a precursor to last week’s fire, this manufacturer will still be cast in a negative light due to its history of negligence. As you can tell by the list of infractions, fees can quickly rack up. And once your on the radar of local authorities, it’s hard to find yourself in their good graces again. Even if this company scrambled to find compliant chemical storage in a timely basis, the manufacturer found itself at distinct disadvantage from the moment they were found to be non-compliant. Acting in a proactive manner by invested in guaranteed chemical protection is the only way to prevent environmental contamination and recurring fees.