Like chemical storage facilities, equipment storage and maintenance facilities should be designed to prevent the accidental discharge of chemicals, fuels, or contaminated washwater from reaching water sources. In addition, storing and maintaining equipment properly will extend useful life and reduce repairs.
Best Management Practices
- Store and maintain equipment in a covered area complete with a sealed impervious surface. This limits risk of fluid leaks contaminating the environment and facilitates the early detection of small leaks that may require repair before causing significant damage to the turf or the environment.
- Seal floor drains unless they are connected to a holding tank or sanitary sewer with permission from the local wastewater treatment plant.
- Store pesticide and fertilizer application equipment in areas protected from rainfall. Rain can wash pesticide and fertilizer residues from the exterior of the equipment and possibly contaminate soil or water.
- Store solvents and degreasers in lockable metal cabinets away from ignition sources in a well-ventilated area. These products are generally toxic and highly flammable. Never store them with fertilizers or in areas where smoking is permitted.
- Never allow solvents to drain onto pavement or soil, or discharge into waterbodies, wetlands, storm drains, sewers, or septic systems, even in small amounts.
- Keep an inventory of solvents and SDS for those materials on-site but in a different location where they will be easily accessible in case of an emergency.
- Keep basins of solvent baths covered to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds.
- When possible, replace solvent baths with recirculating aqueous washing units. Soap and water or other aqueous cleaners are often as effective as solvent-based products and present a lower risk to the environment.
- Always use appropriate PPE when working with solvents.
- Never allow solvents or degreasers to drain onto pavement or soil, or discharge into waterbodies, wetlands, storm drains, sewers, or septic systems.
- Collect used solvents and degreasers in containers clearly marked with contents and date. Schedule collection by a commercial service.
- Blow off all equipment with compressed air to reduce damage to hydraulic seals.
Next: Equipment Washing
