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Many households and businesses rely on bulk storage of fuels for heating homes and buildings and fuelling vehicles, machinery and equipment. As these tanks contain thousands of litres of fuel, the prospect of a spillage can be nightmarish, but there are steps you can take to reduce the risk and be prepared for the unthinkable.

The Environmental Impact of Heating Oil and Diesel Spillages

Spillages of heating oil and diesel are not only costly to clean up but also have devastating consequences for the environment. From contaminating soil and waterways to harming wildlife and delicate ecosystems, a single spill can have far-reaching impacts. For businesses and homeowners who handle these fuels, a spill can lead to serious financial consequences, legal responsibilities, and lasting damage to reputation.

Your Responsibility: Your Consequences

A minor spillage may be small enough to be contained without any adverse effects, but larger amounts can have serious consequences for the property owner or business, as they will be held responsible.

To begin with, there will be the cost of the spilt oil or diesel. If a large tank is mostly full, this could amount to hundreds or thousands of pounds.

Contaminated soil will need to be excavated, removed to a secure location and replaced. This work will need to be carried out by environmental cleanup specialists. There will be further costs for site assessment, remediation and ongoing monitoring.

Insurers will need to be notified of the spillage, which may result in increased premiums in the future.

Finally, if the leak is found to be caused by negligence or non-compliance with environmental legislation, fines are likely to be issued. If you are a company, this can also have reverberations that affect your public reputation.

Common Causes of Oil and Fuel Spills

Understanding the common causes of oil and fuel spills can help to highlight where extra precautions are needed. Spills can happen suddenly or slowly and over a long period but are often the result of preventable issues. Some examples include:

Accidental Tank Damage

An external impact, such as a vehicle accidentally colliding with a fuel storage tank, can cause damage that results in a spill. Even minor damage can lead to leaks, which may go unnoticed until significant contamination has already occurred.

Tank Deterioration

Over time, tanks may fail due to internal stresses or corrosion. Without regular inspection and maintenance, small cracks or weak points in the tank’s structure can worsen and lead to leaks. In many cases, tanks corrode from the inside out, making it difficult to detect a problem until it’s too late.

Malicious Damage and Fuel Theft

In addition to accidental damage, tanks and fuel storage units are sometimes targeted for malicious damage or fuel theft, both of which can lead to spillages. Intruders may puncture tanks to siphon fuel, leaving leaks that go unnoticed until significant contamination has already occurred. Additionally, deliberate acts of vandalism – such as puncturing or damaging tank walls – can create spillages.

Preventing and Managing Spills

Various measures can be taken to reduce the risk of spillage, either accidental or deliberate. Evidence that you have taken these measures will also work in your favour in the event of a spill.

Regular Inspections

Performing regular checks of your storage tank and associated equipment such as couplings, pipework, valves and nozzles will highlight any small changes that could be early signs of failure and expose small leakages that could grow over time. Inspect the surroundings for any evidence of leaks such as dark, damp patches.

Protection

If your oil or fuel tank is placed in a busy location, vehicles and equipment will put it at higher risk of accidental collision. Placing fixed or weighted barriers or bollards at strategic points will protect the tank yet allow easy access for refilling and fuelling.

Containment

While a bunded tank is designed to contain the full contents of the inner tank in the event of the inner tank failing, an additional external bund can add a further line of protection. It can also function as a physical barrier to prevent accidental collisions from vehicles and equipment.

Deterrence

Theft and vandalism can be deterred by enclosing your tank in a secure, lockable compound. A lockable lid will help to protect any tank, while many fuel stations feature a lockable cabinet to contain the dispensing pump, hose and nozzle.

Positioning a tank so that it isn’t visible from public land will also reduce the risk, and powerful security lighting and visible CCTV cameras will discourage illegal activity. Bunded tanks, now a legal requirement in most instances, will also deter fuel thieves as they take longer to penetrate and make fuel siphoning harder.

Accessories

Various accessories can be instrumental in preventing or exposing fuel spills. If you are using a tank for dispensing diesel, for example, upgrading to an automatic nozzle that switches off the fuel supply when the receiving tank is full will prevent overflowing. This is seen on all fuel station forecourts, but cheaper nozzles sometimes don’t have this feature.

Fuel alarms monitor the level of oil or fuel in the tank and alert the owner if the level drops at a faster rate than usual. Some alarms even operate remotely, so you are made aware of the problem wherever you are.

Spill Kits

Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to oil or diesel spillages, but as there’s no sure-fire way of guaranteeing you’ll never have a spillage, it’s wise to be prepared ahead of time.

Various products are available that will absorb spilt oil and diesel. These are made of granules that are either spread loosely across the affected area or contained in a fabric sock. As the granules only absorb oils, they are effective even in wet conditions.

The socks can also be placed around a storage or dispensing area as a pre-emptive measure to contain small to medium spills and help to tackle larger spills, whereas the loose granules are more suited to cleaning up after a spillage.

What To Do in The Event of a Spillage

Small spillages and leaks that don’t penetrate the soil or reach watercourses can generally be rectified by repairing the damage causing the leak and cleaning up the oil or diesel with a spill kit. However, a larger-scale spillage requires swift action and notifying the relevant authorities. Follow our step-by-step guide to reporting and resolving a major spillage.

1. Immediate Action: Containment and Safety

2. Notify Relevant Authorities

In the UK, regulations require that authorities are notified promptly in the event of a large-scale oil or fuel leak:

·        The Environment Agency

Report the spill to the Environmental Agency or relevant environmental authority. Under the UK Environmental Damage Regulations, responsible parties must report significant leaks that pose a risk to water, land, or biodiversity.

·        Local Authorities

Inform local environmental health departments, especially if the spill risks affecting public health or nearby properties.

·        Water Companies (if applicable)

If the spill could affect local water sources, such as rivers or groundwater, notify local water authorities immediately.

3. Legal Obligations and Liability

·        Environmental Protection Act

Under the UK Environmental Protection Act 1990, the responsible party is liable for any damage caused by the spill, including contamination of soil and waterways. They are legally required to prevent further contamination and to arrange for cleanup.

·        Remediation Orders

Authorities may issue a remediation notice, outlining specific cleanup actions that must be taken to restore the affected area. Non-compliance can lead to fines and further legal action.

·        Civil Liability

In addition to government regulations, responsible parties may face civil claims from affected third parties, such as neighbours or local businesses, who suffer damage or economic loss as a result of the spill.

4. Organise Professional Cleanup

·        Hire Licensed Environmental Contractors

For large-scale spills, licensed environmental cleanup specialists should be engaged to remove contaminants, decontaminate affected areas, and safely dispose of hazardous materials.

·        Site Assessment and Remediation

Conduct a full site assessment to identify the extent of the contamination. This may involve soil testing, groundwater monitoring and the implementation of remediation measures to restore the environment to its original condition.

·        Monitor and Report Progress

Maintain clear records and regular reports of the cleanup process for submission to environmental authorities. Authorities may also require follow-up testing to ensure that remediation is effective and complete.

5. Prepare for Financial and Legal Repercussions

·        Insurance Claims:

File a claim with any relevant insurers. Many companies and individuals handling oil or fuel have environmental liability insurance to cover cleanup costs. Work with the insurer to assess the damage, document costs, and proceed with necessary repairs and cleanup.

·        Fines and Legal Costs

Be prepared for potential fines and legal expenses if authorities determine that the spill resulted from negligence or lack of compliance with environmental regulations. Penalties can vary depending on the severity of the spill, its environmental impact, and any prior compliance record.

6. Preventative and Follow-Up Actions

·        Review Safety and Maintenance Protocols

Investigate the cause of the spill and update safety protocols to prevent future incidents. This may involve upgrading equipment, training staff, or implementing stricter monitoring and maintenance procedures.

·        Regular Inspections and Risk Assessments

Set up a regular inspection schedule for tanks and storage areas to ensure compliance and spot potential risks early. Update risk assessments in consultation with environmental advisors to stay compliant with all regulations.

·        Report Findings and Improvements

Document all actions taken, from initial response through to remediation and preventive measures. Sharing findings with the relevant environmental authorities helps demonstrate compliance and commitment to preventing future spills.

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