Environment Agency Guidelines on Reducing Pollution
As a business owner you’re responsible for making sure that your company complies with environment agency regulations on minimising the risk of pollution. Thousands of pollution incidents occur every year from factories, warehouses, transport activities and other business facilities, these incidents could almost always have been avoided. Each pollution incident is an offence and can result in prosecution-not to mention the damaging and sometimes devastating effects that pollution can have on the environment.
Most cases of pollution are avoidable. Your business should have careful procedures and plans in place to make sure that your company is minimising the risk of pollution, further to this, your company should have effective waste management operations and suitable facilities to reduce the risk of spillage-as well as a contingency plan should any spillages occur. Responsible waste management procedures will make sure that your business complies with relevant legislation whilst minimising the risk of pollution.
Oil is said to be one of the major causes of pollution in the UK. The storage of oil and fuel at industrial, commercial and institutional premises is subject to strict controls. Any Fuel Storage Tanks or Oil Drums should be sited on an impervious base with a fuel tight bund, all pipes and gauges should also be enclosed within the bund. Bunded Fuel Tanks contain an outer layer, or bund, which minimises the risk of spillages and is therefore safer for the environment.
If the worst was to happen and you did have a spill from your tank then this has the potential to cause enormous damage to the environment. The Environment Agency recommends that appropriate spill kits or absorbent materials are held on site. In addition to this, you should ensure that your staff know what to do in an emergency and an up to date plan should be maintained.
Another important factor when considering how to prevent pollution from your site entering the environment is your site drainage system. Most sites will have two types of drains. Surface water drains should carry only non-contaminated rainwater as they will lead to a river or stream-if oil from your unsecured fuel tank enters rivers or stream the effects may be devastating to the wildlife that live there. The foul water drain is designed to carry waste water safely to sewage works or treatment systems.
You should note the amount of surface water on your site and the potential pollution hazard this holds, surface water can be contaminated very easily with silt, chemicals and oil which, if it gets into local watercourses can be damaging. It’s essential that any fuel or oil on your site is stored effectively in a Bunded Fuel Tank to reduce the risk of pollution and spillage.
There are many, many ways that your site can cause pollution. If your business activities have potential to cause pollution, then it’s essential that you have a responsible waste management plan in place. This will ensure that you comply with legislation and are reducing the amount of waste you produce. Thus protecting the environment and avoiding costly legal fees and even prosecution.
To make sure that you’re storing your oil and fuel effectively contact our approved Fuel Tank Manufacturers today.
