Spill Reporting

Spills, unfortunately, do happen, and some spills need to be cleaned up right away. When hazardous substances such as fuel oil are spilled, the environment and public health can be harmed if action is not taken.

Part 11 of the Environment Act (645 KB), and the Spills Regulations (20 KB), identify what to do when a spill occurs.

Spills identified in the regulations must be reported to an Environmental Protection Officer, or the Yukon Spill Report Centre, open 24 hours/day.

When A Spill Occurs

Immediately after a spill has been identified, take the following steps:

1. Report the spill.
2. Notify the owner or person in charge of the spilled substance and any person who may be adversely affected by the spill.
3. Take all reasonable measures to confine the spill.
4. Restore the site to the same condition that it was in before the spill.

Last Resort

If the person responsible for the spill does not attempt to confine the spill or to restore the site, an Environmental Protection Officer has the authority to order the responsible person to take action.

If the responsible person still does not act, the Environmental Protection Officer has the authority to ensure that the site is cleaned up, and any costs incurred will be billed to the person responsible for the spill.

Additional Resources

• Spills Happen Poster 1.5 MB
• Spills Regulation Information

• Spills Regulation Fact Sheet 50 KB

• Spill Response Plans 31 KB