Environmental & Sustainability Blog

SPCC requirements? SPCC training? Most people in industry today don't understand what SPCC regulations are or if they apply to them. They don't know that any facility that stores any type of oil in excess of 1,320 gallons and has any chance to release, discharge, or spill oil directly or indirectly to any surface water body is required by Federal law to have a Spill, Prevention, Control and Countermeasure plan, or simply put, an SPCC Plan.

As I gaze into the crystal ball for the year 2013, I believe that there are multiple environmental and sustainability issues that will come to the forefront for the concrete and construction materials industries during the New Year. But here's five that I think that might really make a difference to you and your operation during 2013.

I track searches to the RMA website pretty carefully, and use them as an indicator of what's on the minds of visitors as well as potential blog topics. I continue to be surprised how many visits I get inquiring whether environmental regulations are the same at precast concrete plants as they are at other types of concrete or other industrial facilities.

I just got back from the NRMCA ConcreteWorks Annual Convention in National Harbor MD, where I presented a seminar titled "Environmentally Speaking: BMPs that will keep you up to date and in compliance". I'll share some of those BMP tips in future blog postings - and, those tips are good for everyone, regardless of the industry they're in.

Previously, I wrote about used oil vs waste oil. If you’re still not clear on the difference between used oil and waste oil, read this. It’s critical you know and understand the difference between used oil and waste oil! Educating the industry in the difference is one of my missions in life, since I constantly still see the used oil tanks marked as waste oil incorrectly, when they indeed contain used oil! And yes, there is a difference between used oil and waste oil – and it does matter!

I regularly get a number of searches to my website for concrete plant oil spill plan. I'm not entirely sure what is being searched for (at least in the minds of those doing the searches), but I think I have a very good understanding of what this means.

I recently finished teaching a concrete environmental training course, the NRMCA Environmental Certification Course, which was held in Orlando Florida. It was a great training course, with bright, interested students, stimulating discussions, and a great field trip to conduct a comprehensive inspection of a ready-mixed concrete plant.

SPCC plans - do you have one if you need one? I hope you do know what a Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Plan is, because the clock that has been ticking so long is about to run out. The deadline in question is the November 10, 2011 deadline that has been delayed for a very long time. Years, actually.

Most concrete, mining and other industrial facilities may very well be required to prepare and implement an SPCC plan. Asphalt plants almost always do. SPCC plans, or Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure plans are required by federal law for any facility that has over 1,320 gallons of any type of oil in any size container down to and including 55 gallon drums. But what exactly IS an SPCC plan?

Whatever kind of concrete plant you run, be it ready mix, precast, or masonry, you probably know of the negative environmental attributes people tend to imagine - dust, noise, and traffic. If not addressed correctly, then yes, they can be an issue. Usually, that's not the case though. Proper housekeeping and best management practices can curtail and almost eliminate environmental issues. And, if your site is zoned properly, then traffic is typically not an issue.