A New Pig UK White Paper

Absorb the environmental risks of oils, chemicals & everyday liquids.

Part 2

Everyday liquid and chemical spills can be just as damaging to the environment as oil spills. Learn ways to protect your company and the environment from non oil spill damage.

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Absorb the environmental risks of oils, chemicals & everyday liquids.

Part 1 of New Pig UKs White Paper on Absorbing the environmental risks of oils, chemicals & everyday liquids addressed the serious environmental pollutions risks that occur from non oil-based liquids. Non oil-based liquids such as coolants, detergents, food and drink, anti-freeze and other chemicals account for 75% of the water pollution incidents.1 Unless properly identified and addressed in risk assessments, non oil-based liquids can cause environmental damage and pose financial consequences to your business such as a risk of prosecution, considerable cleanup costs, increased insurance premiums and a damaged reputation. Part 2 of New Pig UKs White Paper, will outline techniques on how you can protect the environment and safely store, handle, transport and dispense non oil-based liquids in your workplace. It is likely to be of special interest if you hold any of the following positions: Environmental Health and Safety Manager Waste Manager Facilities Manager Site Manager Maintenance Manager Warehouse Manager Operations or Production Manager Technical Specialist Engineer Purchasing Officer Stores Manager Laboratory Technician Transport & Logistics Manager

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Oil spills are damaging and are the cause of 25% of all pollution incidents.1 And with the oil storage regulations in place and enforced, all of us have clear guidelines to follow and help protect our environment. But what about the 75% of water pollution incidents that arent caused by oil? With the oil storage regulations, there are no liquid-specific regulations to guide us to do the right thing except our conscience. This lack of guidance may lead to a greater risk of causing pollution if we dont identify and assess all of the liquids in our workplace.

Prepare to protect the environment.

Preventing non oil-based liquids from reaching watercourses begins by storing your liquids properly and in the right location. Follow these helpful hints:

Develop an incident plan. The plan should include an up-to-date inventory of all substances stored on site, a contact list, inventory of your pollution prevention equipment, a detailed site & drainage plan and procedures for staff to follow.

1. Develop an incident response plan

The plan should include an up-to-date inventory of all substances stored on site, a contact list, inventory of your pollution prevention equipment, a detailed site & drainage plan and procedures for staff to follow.

6. Segregate liquids

Store incompatible liquids in different areas to help avoid bigger issues later.

7. Employ secondary containment

2. Track and record all liquids

Make sure you have up-to-date records of all substances stored or used on site. Appoint a responsible person to supervise and record all deliveries of potentially polluting liquids.

Build permanent in-floor bunding solutions and store liquid waste containers within bund walls or use containment pallets & decks to capture leaks and spills.

8. Dont overload pallets

3. Ensure liquid containers are fit for purpose

Overloading pallets beyond the weight capacity can lead to hazardous liquid spills that can find their way into the environment with poor spill cleanup.

The primary container should be of sufficient strength and integrity to ensure that it wont burst or leak under normal usage. Individual containers should be clearly labelled with the nature of their contents.

9. Supply compatible absorbent materials and spill clean up kits

4. Inspect containers

Develop routine inspection procedures to check containers for leaks and check all floors & storage facilities are in good condition.

Spill cleanup absorbents and kits should be kept close at hand particularly in storage and delivery areas. Ensure staff know where supplies are located and are properly trained on how to use spill cleanup absorbents & kits.

5. Locate liquid storage areas smartly

You will need to be able to seal drains quickly if storage space is limited and containers need to be stored near drains, watercourses and unsurfaced areas. A site and drainage plan of your facility will help you determine the risk.

You will need to be able to seal drains quickly if storage space is limited and containers need to be stored near drains, watercourses and unsurfaced areas. A site and drainage plan of your facility will help you determine the risk.

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Solutions to store, transport and dispense liquids safely.

All companies should be looking at ways to properly manage, store and handle the liquids in the workplace. By agreeing to a company philosophy where prevention and environmental protection are paramount, liquid spills can be cleaned up effectively & environmental risks reduced. More permanent solutions like bund walls may need to be used for larger volumes of liquid, however there are other highly effective solutions that have been developed to ensure safe storage and handling of your everyday liquids.

All companies should be looking at ways to properly manage, store and handle the liquids in the workplace. By agreeing to a company philosophy where prevention and environmental protection are paramount, liquid spills can be cleaned up effectively & environmental risks reduced.

1. Safe Storage

Containment Pallets & Decks capture leaks and spills from containers in the pallet sump to prevent from reaching drains. Trays & Basins capture leaks from small containers. Consider using PVC material that can be moulded to your custom-sized liquid storage areas. This will help avoid placing too big of a tray in too small of an area. Theres no sense using a tray or basin if it doesnt fit in the required space. That can only lead to potential accidents or lack of containment.

3. Safe Transporting

Mobile Dollies capture leaks and spills from containers and transport safely. Drum Trucks safely and easily move and load drums onto pallets to prevent spillages during transport.

4. Safe Dispensing

Drum Funnels have splash-free pouring mechanisms to prevent spills whilst filling and dispensing. Drum Pumps transfer liquids safely and quickly to prevent spills during dispensing. Pop-Up Fill Gauges indicate when drums are full to capacity to prevent spills from over filling drums.

2. Safe Drainage

Drain covers tightly seal drains to prevent spills from entering the environment. Spill Blockers create a temporary barrier to divert liquid spills away from drains. Spill Containment Barriers permanently surrounding machines or work areas to contain liquid spills.

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Solidify learnings.
In 2008, companies paid over 3 million in fines for serious pollution incidents, with around a quarter of these awarded for water pollution offences.2 Such events not only cause harm to animals, aquatic and human life, but also have expensive, potentially disastrous consequences for businesses. Legal action against compliance failures results in heavy fines and cleanup costs as well as tarnished reputations for the businesses involved. Not to mention, a guilty conscience for all the employees involved. Crucial to reducing the risk posed to the environment from non oil-based liquids spills is the safe storage and handling of all liquids kept on your premises. Best practice recommends that you:

In 2008, companies paid over 3 million in fines for serious pollution incidents, with around a quarter of these awarded for water pollution offences.2

1. Understand the risk

Know the nature and volume of liquids stored. Maintain up-to-date records for all liquids on site.

4. Continually re-assess liquids

Re-evaluate your use of liquids and ensure you store, transport and dispense of them safely.

2. Develop an incident response plan

Include procedures, contact details, inventory levels and site & drainage plans in your response plan.

Engage with employees on relevant legislation and spill response plans.

5. Communicate

Communicate relevant legislation and response plans to employees and re-visit them periodically with training sessions.

Prevent spillages with containment pallets and decks, permanent in-floor bunds and transport & dispensing equipment. Protect spillages from entering drains with drain covers. Understanding the importance of these recommendations will help you protect your surrounding environment and keep the reputation & profitability of your business in tact. Energise your employees by promoting how your company does its part in protecting our natural resources.

3. Obtain recommended solutions

For Part 1 of New Pig UKs White Paper on Absorbing the environmental risks of oils, chemicals & everyday liquids, please visit: www.newpig.co.uk www.newpigukblog.co.uk www.facebook.com/newpiguk www.twitter.com/newpiguk

References:
1 2

Oil Bank Line Environment Agency

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Freephone: 0800 919 900 Fax: 0800 731 5071 pigpen@newpig.com 2011 New Pig Ltd. All rights reserved Registered office: New Pig Ltd. Hogs Hill, Watt Place Hamilton International Technology Park Blantyre G72 0AH