It was just another routine day on a huge strata site somewhere in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. I was helping with blade edging and given the size of the site, had to refuel.
After I refuelled I also, correctly, rehydrated with water. Back to work. Except my blade edger wasn’t starting and upon closer inspection was out of gas…..what?
Even supervisors mess up
I had just committed a rookie mistake. I had simply forgotten to put the fuel tank cap back on before grabbing my water bottle. Rule number 1: don’t rush. Especially if you struggle with multi-tasking. I sometimes get into a runner’s zone and have to snap out of it. On this day, I didn’t. Burn!
The gas and oil mix spill was in the middle of the private complex road, literally only steps away from the mailbox. My boss referred to me as Exxon Valdez all day, which was mildly funny. Most of our workers are so young, they completely missed the oil tanker spill disaster reference! Hahaha.
Don’t panic
Take some grass clippings and hope they absorb some of the pollutants. But what do you do when the spill is huge and prominent? Don’t panic. First, calm down your boss and then get some supplies.
Toxic step 1
Any spray that moves gasoline and oil mixtures off roadways can NOT be good for you. Try to use gloves and a mask. For best results, don’t spray it into wind.
We sprayed and scrubbed, sprayed and scrubbed with rags. You will need lots of both, depending on the size of the spill. On my knees in the middle of a private road, scrubbing next to my boss, he wondered out loud if anyone had noticed us there. I wonder.
Step 2
Once you run out of your nasty sprays, use a degreaser and broom it, then spray with water and pray to god the drain doesn’t lead to fish habitat. Repeat. And repeat. Then rest and let it dry. Assess. And hope your boss’s presence is required somewhere else. Ignore the shouts of Exxon Valdez as he exits the site.
Conclusion
- Even landscape professionals make mistakes. Own it, don’t try to pay cash to workers willing to take the blame, like I did.
- Don’t rush. It was a hot day and blade edging is physically demanding. When you refuel, slow down.
