What does the term "spill containment" refer to?

The term "spill containment" refers specifically to actions taken to prevent the spread of hazardous materials. This process is critical in managing spills to ensure that contaminants do not extend further into the environment, potentially affecting air, water, or soil quality. It involves creating barriers, using absorbent materials, or applying other methods designed to keep the hazardous material within a confined area.

While actions to stop a spill or recover materials may be part of the broader response to a hazardous materials incident, they do not specifically focus on the containment aspect. Documenting an incident is also vital but relates more to accountability and reporting than to the immediate actions involved in containing a spill. Therefore, focusing on containment as a means to restrict the movement and mitigate the impact of hazardous substances is essential in hazardous materials operations.