Final answer:
Facility owners must have an Emergency Response Plan to handle hazardous spills, as mandated by regulations like the SPCC Rule. This plan outlines procedures for prevention, response, and containment of hazardous substances to protect public health and the environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
All facility owners must have an Emergency Response Plan in place to deal with a spill of hazardous liquid. This plan is a requirement, particularly for facilities dealing with substances that could pose a threat to the environment and public health, such as those that fall under the Oil Pollution Act's Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Rule. The SPCC rule applies to any facility that handles, processes, or stores oil products, including not only petroleum but also animal fats and vegetable oils, and it requires a written plan for facilities storing substantial quantities of these substances.
Emergency Response Plans are necessary to ensure that appropriate steps are taken in the event of an accidental release of hazardous substances. These plans typically include the identification of potential hazards, prevention strategies, response actions, communication protocols, and training for personnel. They must also comply with local, state, and federal regulations, such as ensuring secondary containment measures to prevent released substances from reaching navigable waters or adjoining shorelines. As exemplified by events leading to an evacuation zone due to radioactive fallout, an Emergency Response Plan would outline the specific procedures for evacuation, containment, and cleanup.
It's imperative that safety protocols, like knowing the location of specific safety equipment in a laboratory or facility, complement the overarching Emergency Response Plan, acting as a "break glass in case of emergency" safeguard for facility owners and stakeholders.