Environmental Programs Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC)

NIH has policies and procedures in place to prevent, control, and effectively respond to many different types of potential spills, including chemical, sewage, oil, medical pathological waste and asbestos spills.

NIH is committed to preventing discharges of oil and other potential contaminants to navigable waters and the environment, and to maintaining the highest standards for spill prevention, control, and countermeasures. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the Oil Pollution Prevention and Response Regulation under 40 CFR 112. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) regulates, inspects, and enforces Oil Pollution and Tank Management under the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.10.

Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans have been written to address oil spills. An SPCC is required for facilities that: have an aggregate aboveground oil storage capacity greater than 1,320 gallons; store oil below ground “not otherwise regulated” with a total aggregate volume of 42,000 gallons; and could reasonably be expected to discharge oil to a “navigable water of US” or “adjoining shorelines” The SPCC Plans identify bulk oil storage (> 55 gallons) resources, spill prevention techniques and equipment, spill response equipment, and spill response responsibilities and procedures at each NIH facility. The SPCC Plans are regularly updated to assist personnel handling petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) to manage these resources, prevent spills, and effectively respond to spills to prevent and/or minimize environmental impacts. A Facility Response Plan (FRP) rule requires certain facilities that store and use oil to prepare and submit an FRP for approval. An FRP illustrates a facility’s preparedness capabilities to respond to a worst case oil discharge.

The NIH Fire Department provides emergency response services in the event of a hazardous spill. Step-by-step information, as well as up-to-date emergency response contact information can be found in the NIH Waste Disposal Guide. Contact your safety specialist for the most recent version.