What Can Cause a Chemical Spill in a Factory?

Chemical spills can happen for multiple reasons within a factory or industrial setting. The accidental use, release, or spill of a hazardous chemical, including synthetic, biological, or radiological substances, may result from natural or human-caused incidents. This may include ineffective safety management, improper storage, or earthquakes and hurricanes. Many chemical spills are avoidable with proper protective measures.

Natural Causes

Some of the most common causes of factory chemical spills are natural forces that create instability. This includes:

• Earthquakes
• Hurricanes
• Volcanic eruptions
• Fires
• Significant weather events and other items

In nature itself, these exposures can occur when chemicals such as sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, or hydrogen sulfide are emitted from the surface. In a factory setting, these spills occur when any of these naturally destructive events create instability within the factory.

For example, in a factory setting, a lightning strike on the building can cause a fire. That fire may damage the chemical holding tanks or valves, resulting in a hazardous chemical spill. Earthquakes, floods, and even significant thunderstorms can have a similar impact when they disrupt systems and processes.

Human-Related Chemical Spills

Most chemical spills occurring in factories occur as a result of human errors, oversights, or intentional acts. These are fully preventable with basic safety procedures in place. Some examples include:

• Unsafe handling of chemicals when moving or using them
• Improper storage outside of regulatory requirements
• Failure of storage containers or other equipment used in the product
• Improper disposal of chemicals
• Ineffective cleanup of chemicals

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established chemical hazard and toxic substance management protocols in place to minimize these types of risks in a factory setting. Oversight of these rules may be a contributing factor for many factory spills.

Improper Storage Methods and Procedures

Poor storage or design for storage can lead to chemical spills. Some materials cannot be within a specific proximity to each other. Other times, weak containers not meant for the specific type of chemical can create a spill as the chemical eats through that surface. Many chemicals require a secondary containment tray to catch small leaks, limiting the risk of larger, more expansive spills.

Examples of Human-Related Chemical Spills in Factories

Chemical spills in a factory often are the result of some level of negligence. Examples of this include:

• Damaged, old, or rusted pipes, tanks, or valves within systems that leak or crack
• Pressure buildup occurring within sealed containers due to equipment failure or ineffective monitoring
• Broken pumps due to poor maintenance and upkeep
• Inferior materials used in the manufacturing of machinery hoses, valves, and pipes
• Workers overfilling drums or tanks, often as a time-saving measure
• Lack of proper safety training and governance
• Mixing chemicals improperly, often leading to reactions
• Storing chemicals that are incompatible too close to each other
• Lack of safety training for emergency situations, such as when fires occur

These human-specific causes of chemical spills can lead to significant risk to a person’s well-being and health. It is very common for chemical spills in factories to lead to additional risks, such as respiratory damage or fires.

Victims of such exposures benefit from working with a chemical exposure injury attorney to pinpoint the cause of the chemical spill and to determine who is at fault. Speak with a chemical spill lawyer about your case today.