Freelander Service: Environmental Precautions - General Information
GENERAL INFORMATION
03-4
Materials –
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keep lids on containers of solvents;
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only use the minimum quantity;
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consider alternative materials;
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minimise over-spray when painting.
Gases –
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use the correct equipment for collecting
refrigerants;
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don't burn rubbish on site.
Discharges to water
Most sites will have two systems for discharging
water: storm drains and foul drains. Storm drains
should only receive clean water, foul drains will take
dirty water.
The foul drain will accept many of the normal waste
waters such as washing water, detergents and
domestic type wastes, but oil, petrol, solvent, acids,
hydraulic oil, antifreeze and other such substances
should never be poured down the drain. If in any
doubt, speak to the local Water Company first.
Every precaution must be taken to prevent spillage of
oil, fuel, solvents etc. reaching the drains. All
handling of such materials must take place well away
from the drains and preferably in an area with a kerb
or wall around it, to prevent discharge into the drain.
If a spillage occurs, it should be soaked up
immediately. Having a spill kit available will make this
easier.
Additional precautions
Check whether the surface water drains are
connected to an oil/water separator, this could
reduce the pollution if an incident was to occur. Oil/
water separators require regular maintenance to
ensure effectiveness.
Checklist
Always adhere to the following:
Disposal –
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never pour anything down a drain without first
checking that it is environmentally safe to do so,
and that it does not contravene any local
regulations or bye-laws;
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have oil traps emptied regularly.
Spillage prevention –
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store liquids in a walled area;
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make sure the taps on liquid containers are
secure and cannot be accidentally turned on;
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protect bulk storage tanks from vandalism by
locking the valves;
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transfer liquids from one container to another in
an area away from open drains;
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ensure lids are replaced securely on containers;
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have spill kits available near to points of storage
and handling of liquids.
Spill kits
Special materials are available to absorb a number of
different substances. They can be in granular form,
ready to use and bought in convenient containers for
storage. Disposal of used spill-absorbing material is
dealt with in the 'Waste Management' section.
Land contamination
Oils, fuels and solvents etc. can contaminate any soil
that they are allowed to contact. Such materials
should never be disposed of by pouring onto soil and
every precaution must be taken to prevent spillage
reaching soil. Waste materials stored on open
ground could also leak, or have polluting substances
washed off them that would contaminate the land.
Always store these materials in suitable skips or
other similarly robust containers.
Checklist
Always adhere to the following:
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don't pour or spill anything onto the soil or bare
ground;
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don't store waste materials on bare ground, see
'Spillage prevention' list.
Legal compliance
Some sites may have a discharge consent for
effluent discharge to the foul drain for a car wash etc.
It is important to know what materials are allowed in
the drain and to check the results of any monitoring
carried out by the Water Company.
Where paint spraying operations are carried out it
may be necessary to apply to the Local Authority for
an air emissions licence to operate the plant. If such
a licence is in operation, additional precautions will
be necessary to comply with the requirements, and
the results of any air quality monitoring must be
checked regularly.
Checklist
Always adhere to the following:
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know what legal consents and licences apply to
the operations;
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check that the emissions and discharges
comply with legal requirements.
