E135: Spill Prevention, Control & Countermeasures - Travis Keener - Lean Six Sigma for Good Podcast

In this episode, I share an interview with Travis Keener (the "Spill Plan Man") from November 2025. He is a licensed engineer specializing in spill prevention, control, and countermeasures (SPCC) for industrial facilities. He explains that federal EPA regulations require sites storing over 1,320 gallons of oil-based liquids to maintain rigorous spill plans and secondary containment systems, such as earthen berms or concrete walls. He describes how he utilizes both traditional laser levels and advanced LiDAR drone technology to calculate whether these containment areas can hold the volume of the largest tank plus significant rain events. We discuss the technical challenges of erosion and maintenance, noting that even small low spots in a barrier can lead to massive containment failure. He talks about the importance of accurate field data and professional oversight to protect local waterways from potential industrial leaks. 00:32 From Chemical Engineer to Spill Plans 03:36 What SPCC Covers 05:14 Inside a Spill Plan 06:37 Rain Freeboard and NOAA Data 12:17 How Containment Surveys Work 18:11 Fixes Erosion and Shared Berms 26:21 LiDAR Drones and Wrap Up Learn more about the Lean Six Sigma for Good podcast at https://leansixsigmaenvironment.org/i...