Liquid spill management
Most automotive service workshops have a liquid spill of some kind most days.
The Boss might say it is usually his own blood that is spilt in the interests of the keeping the business going, but such historic aside, it is a daily event to spill oil from an oil filter, coolant from a radiator, brake fluid from a bleeding operation, fluid from a transmission and so on.
This may or may not become an environmental or perhaps, an OHS problem, assuming of course, it is not the boss’s blood. If the spill was a normal event, it will be cleaned up with a rag from the offending mechanics pocket, or maybe washed off with the ever present mop and bucket. Such events are a risk to no-one and do not suggest the slightest possibility of an impending disaster because the potential for harm to the environment is always small. Similarly, the OHS risk is minimal, providing it is always cleaned up immediately, and again providing it is not petrol, a flammable solvent or battery acid where there is the possibility of fire or corrosion.
But another scenario is also possible. Many shops today have a reticulated oil dispenser containing say, 1000 litres of oil. This would be an environmental and a financial disaster, if, as it has actually happened, the apprentice left the dispenser connected to the compressed air supply which was also inadvertently left on overnight, and the complete contents emptied on to the floor, out the door and into the storm water drain in the street.
In this case, the boss will claim the spilling of blood, because not only is the oil lost, he also has to pay for the clean up of the drain which happened to flow into a local river, which could amount to many thousands of dollars, plus a fine.
Such is the nature of liquid spills in workshops. They occur all the time, are rarely serious but could be catastrophic in the worst case.
Many environmental and OHS specialist suppliers of liquid storage bunding will tell you that it is a legal requirement to have bunded storage for all liquids that could pollute storm water or sewer. Perhaps it is a good idea to have a bunded storage area, but it is not a legal requirement. The legal requirement is to not allow your business to harm the environment, including the release of liquid into storm water, or into the sewer other than what is approved for release by a trade waste agreement.
Some shops have gone to great expense to provide fire rated storage of stocks of oil, fuel, aerosol cans, only to have operating stocks of the same material in several uncontrolled locations in the workshop or warehouse.
A proper assessment or the risk related to a possible spill, will consider the normal use of the material, and the likelihood of a spill causing environmental harm or harm to a person.
To quote the EPA mantra of environmental management, reduce, reuse and recycle, the first item is always to reduce the quantities on hand as this always reduces the potential of a serious spill. The additional benefit is a reduction in stock value which is also good business practice.
The second item is to consider the potential of a spill to do harm in terms of likelihood and severity of harm to the environment or to a person. If there is no likelihood of a spill, there is no risk and therefore, no need for spill control such as a bund.
Likelihood of a spill should take into account how material is used, and the possibility of a container being emptied out due to damage or due to inadvertent misuse.
The various scenarios of a spill can usually be tested by using a spill of the same quantity of water, and checking to see where it goes. If the spill can access storm water or sewer, relocate the container/s so as the worst possible spill cannot escape.