Questions About Safety Issues

Here are answers to some questions that people have asked about safety issues.

Q. What are the safety concerns related to in-situ burning (ISB)?

A. Burning presents some unique safety concerns for workers and response personnel. These are some of the concerns:

Q. How do you control an ISB and avoid spreading of the fire?

A. The fire is usually contained in a fire-resistant boom. Oil can be burned in an area physically remote from other sources of oil, or a boom can be used to isolate oil for burning. The goal of ISB is to avoid accidentally igniting oil outside the boomed area. If there is a potential of igniting oil outside the boomed area, burning will not be conducted.

Q. Is burning the oil safer than other cleanup methods?

A. All cleanup methods pose safety concerns for the responders. Response personnel involved in ISB are trained and outfitted to conduct this procedure in a safe manner. In addition, safety and human health specialists monitor their operations for safety.



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Revised: December 29, 2000
Office of Response and Restoration, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration