Oil Spill Emergency Response Readiness Checklist

Oil spill response readiness is both a regulatory requirement and an operational imperative. This annual readiness checklist reviews FRP compliance, contractor readiness, and equipment availability per OPA 90 and EPA Facility Response Plan requirements.

  • Industry: Oil & Gas / Energy
  • Frequency: Annual
  • Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes
  • Role: HSE Manager / Emergency Response Coordinator
  • Total Items: 31
  • Compliance: OPA 90 - Oil Pollution Act Section 311 Facility Response Plan Requirements, EPA 40 CFR Part 112.20-21 - Facility Response Plan, EPA National Contingency Plan 40 CFR Part 300, USCG 33 CFR Part 154 - Facility Response Plans

Facility Response Plan Currency

Verify FRP is current and compliant.

  • FRP updated within 5 years or after process changes?
  • Worst-case discharge scenario current in FRP?
  • Qualified Individual (QI) designated and available 24/7?
  • Oil Spill Response Organization (OSRO) contract current?
  • FRP submitted to and acknowledged by EPA Regional Administrator?

Notification Procedures

Verify notification procedures are current.

  • NRC (800-424-8802) notification procedure documented and current?
  • State agency notification contacts current?
  • Notification list tested recently with confirmed contact numbers?
  • 24-hour emergency contact number posted and answered?
  • Incident Command System (ICS) structure defined with alternates for key roles?

Response Equipment Readiness

Verify oil spill response equipment.

  • Containment boom available in quantity per worst-case tier response?
  • Mechanical recovery skimmers available and tested?
  • Sorbent pads, booms, and granules stocked for initial response?
  • Response vessel or watercraft available if required by scenario?
  • Response equipment inspected within past year and in operable condition?

Training and Drills

Verify response team training and drill history.

  • Annual unannounced drill or exercise completed as required by FRP?
  • Spill response team trained in ICS and spill response procedures?
  • Drill records retained with lessons learned documented?
  • Drill deficiencies from last exercise corrected?
  • Joint exercise with OSRO contractor completed within past year?

Incident Command System Readiness

Verify ICS activation capability.

  • Key ICS positions (IC, Operations, Finance, Logistics) qualified per ICS-300/400?
  • Incident Command Post (ICP) location identified and equipped?
  • ICS communications equipment available and tested?
  • ICS forms and documentation materials available at ICP?
  • Mutual aid agreements current with neighboring facilities or cooperatives?

Post-Incident and Documentation

Review incident history and documentation.

  • Past spill incident reports reviewed for lessons incorporated in FRP?
  • Process for tracking spill response costs documented?
  • Natural Resource Trustee contacts documented in FRP?
  • Contaminated oil/water waste disposal procedure in FRP?
  • Annual FRP review completed and documented?
  • Annual readiness audit report prepared and filed?

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Why Use This Oil Spill Emergency Response Readiness Checklist?

This oil spill emergency response readiness checklist helps oil & gas / energy teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for hse manager / emergency response coordinator professionals, this checklist covers 31 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: annual.

Ensures compliance with OPA 90 - Oil Pollution Act Section 311 Facility Response Plan Requirements, EPA 40 CFR Part 112.20-21 - Facility Response Plan, EPA National Contingency Plan 40 CFR Part 300, USCG 33 CFR Part 154 - Facility Response Plans. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Oil Spill Emergency Response Readiness Checklist cover?

This checklist covers 31 inspection items across 6 sections: Facility Response Plan Currency, Notification Procedures, Response Equipment Readiness, Training and Drills, Incident Command System Readiness, Post-Incident and Documentation. It is designed for oil & gas / energy operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed annual. Each completion takes approximately 45-60 minutes.

Who should use this Oil Spill Emergency Response Readiness Checklist?

This checklist is designed for HSE Manager / Emergency Response Coordinator professionals in the oil & gas / energy industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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