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These Polyethyl!?fe sheets or tarps provide 'rWbase for construction of a dike or a drainage ditch. Because some liquid materials may degrade or "eat through" a plastic sheeting, response personnel must carefully select the plastic that is to be used. Or, an alternative method to diking is to transfer the product remaining in the vessel to another container. It still may be necessary to build a dike around the original spill, while waiting for the second container to arrive. When possible, dike construction should begin with heavier materials for reinforcement, followed by an outer layer of lighter material such as dirt. If time permits, plastic runners or salvage covers can be placed between the inner and outer walls of the dike. The process of constructing a dike is very similar to the process of constructing a diversion barrier. Response personnel must consider the time required to confine the land spill, the resources available (i.e., response personnel and equipment) , and the quantity of the hazardous material. If it is determined that diking is a practical option, response personnel should consider whether to construct a dike using hand tools or power equipment. When a dike is to be constructed using heavy (power) equipment, the state or local highway department or appropriate contractors should be notified and arrangements made to ensure that the equipment is available and is properly used. Also, utility companies should be contacted concerning underground electrical cables or product piping to ensure that the equipment does not tear a hole in any cables or piping. The type of dike to be constructed will depend largely on the rate that the hazardous material is moving as well as the quantity of material involved. For example, slow moving or heavy materials should be confined by building a circle dike Faster moving products can be confined by constructing a V-shaped dike in a low area. iii. Retaining In situations where materials cannot be diverted or diked, or it is not feasible to do so, retention in a pit, basin or pond provides an alternative. For example, at an incident involving an overturned tank truck leaking fuel oil onto a highway, response personnel may determine that unless the fuel oil is confined, it will enter a storm drain. Because of the rate of the flow of the fuel oil and the limited number of response personnel at the scene, construction of a dike or a diversion barrier may not be practical. 58 Site Safety 6 Health Plan Rev./1. 0 October 20, 1997