What does the term "spill containment" refer to?

The term "spill containment" specifically refers to implementing measures to prevent hazardous liquids from spreading. This process is crucial in hazmat situations because it aims to limit the area affected by a spill, thereby minimizing environmental impact and ensuring the safety of personnel and the surrounding community. Effective containment can involve the use of barriers, absorbent materials, or specialized equipment designed to capture or contain hazardous substances before they can disperse or cause harm.

This approach is a proactive measure taken immediately after a spill is identified, focusing on controlling the situation before cleanup or disposal occurs. While cleaning up spilled materials, isolating affected personnel, and disposing of waste are also important aspects of hazmat response protocols, these actions assume that containment has already been successfully implemented. Thus, containment is the first critical step in managing a hazardous spill.