How to Handle Mercury While Conducting Industrial Plant Maintenance?


Mercury is one of the most commonly used chemical across the industrial plants and things may become difficult when it comes to handleing its waste and residue. Generally, mercury is used in three primary forms, namely organic mercury, inorganic mercury and metallic mercury (elemental). Although, every chemical is dangerous if not handled properly but metallic mercury is believed to carry the greatest health risk in the petroleum industry. Not only processed form of mercury is dangerous, even mercury decontamination can also result in huge losses when it comes to damaging your industrial machinery and possessing health risks for the employees.

If you wish to learn how to manage this chemical properly, then read the following sections to understand its handling as mentioned in an appropriate industrial waste management plan:

Why it should be disposed properly?

It is important to understand that mercury is toxic when inhaled and repeated use/exposure can prove out to be extremely dangerous for humans and aquatic organisms. Metallic mercury impacts mankind the most as it is absorbed through inhalation, skin contact and ingestion. In petroleum, oil and gas industry, mercury decontamination happens at a rapid pace and the contaminated waste is present in a variety of forms. The common forms include drilling muds, filters, glycol, sludge, catalysts, and others.

What you should not do to prevent lives at your industrial plant?

• Never use a shop vac or vacuum to dry up chemical mercury

• Never use compressed air for sweeping/blowing dirt containing mercury

• Never use any cleaning chemicals to clean mercury as it releases toxic gases

• Never bring broom or brushes in use to sweep mercury

• Do not make any arrangements that allows mercury to go down a drain

• Do not allow anyone, wearing contaminated clothes or shoes, to leave the spill area until everything is cleaned.

Why you should hire professionals for cleaning up mercury mess?

Companies dealing in offering industrial waste management services have trained and experienced team members who can safely collect, treat and recycle mercury waste. They collect and bring mercury waste to the licensed waste treatment facilities to ensure that everything that has mercury-contaminated element should be treated properly and carefully. They have specialized plans for determining waste types, its characteristics and quantity for disposal.

A team of trained chemists/hazardous waste professionals will assess the report and decide the treatment or disposal options. This way, companies offering waste management and residue management services can ensure safe and sustainable disposal of toxic elements.

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