Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Qhse-Sop-054 Oil Spill Prevention
Qhse-Sop-054 Oil Spill Prevention
Qhse-Sop-054 Oil Spill Prevention
: HSE-054
Rev. date : 1st August 2016
Revision : C
OIL SPILL PREVENTION Approved by : President Director
Page : 1 of 14
1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
1.1. INTRODUCTION
It is intended that this generalized publication will be followed by more specialized guides to
he control of spills from specific sources, e.g. road and rail transport, barge, pipe line, plant.
However, the following pages give the broad principles of spill control. The specialized
guides will complement this by giving specific and detailed information in nominated areas.
It is expected that these specialized guides will be produced as the needs in various areas
become apparent.
Illustrations in this publication are representative of idealized conditions. They are shown to
promote ideas of what can be done if time and materials are available. It must be emphasized
that improvisation and common sense should be used at all times with regard to local
condition and safety.
There is widespread use of oil for industrial, commercial and domestic purpose involving
many transport, transfer and storage operations, which each operations having potential for an
oil spill to occur.
Oil spills unfortunately are not infrequent although the majority of these are minor and easily
handled without threat to the environment or community.
This document attempt to point out areas where attention should directed to reduce the
potential for oil spills to occur.
It should always be remembered that the best way to handle a spill is not to have had it in the
first place.
The frequency of spills can be reduced considerable by prevention techniques. It seems
inevitable that some spills will occur, but their effects can be minimized by being prepared
when spill occurs.
Preparatory steps which should be taken are;
a) Establish contact with authorities, such as local fire brigade and council ( see appendix V)
to determine:
- Facility which are available
- How spills are reported and to whom, Name and telephone numbers should be obtained.
b) Acquire suitable equipment and materials (or, at the least, identify where these may be
obtained)
c) Record names and telephone numbers of all person who may be in a position to help,
either with advice or equipment
d) Identify potential spill situations relevant to the operation and device contingency pants to
meet them.
e) Ensure that all personnel who could be concerned directly are aware of relevant telephone
numbers or contingency plans.
f) Compile a list of contractors with equipment/materials suitable for oil spill cleanup.
This essence of preparedness is forward planning, Effort concentrated here will result in an
efficient and relatively inexpensive response to a spill with the least damage to the
environment or relations with the community.
The action steps are described in more detail below and in summary in the Oil Spill Action
Plan Chart
This is the order in which it has been found from experience that oil spill usually are most
effectively controlled. But in some circumstances any one of the first three actions, if acted
on first, possibly could reduce the effect of the spill more effectively.
Although prompt action is required immediately a spill occurs, the consequences of the action
and possible alternative should be assessed continually.
Priorities should be quickly established and must be constantly revised and update.
The obvious priorities are;
a) Safety
b) Protection of vital areas as listed in (iii)
c) Obtaining sufficient and suitable help
d) Minimizing time to establish containment area.
Remember that is essential that those people who are likely to be involved in a spill should be
trained regularly in the correct use of variable equipment. If possible, involve the local police
and fire brigades.
As soon as a spill is discovered, the following actions should be taken, but not necessarily in
this order:
- Safe guard life (see personal safety below)
- Locate the source of the spillage and attempt to stop the flow
- Shut down equipment working nearby, close valve to isolate movement or leakage of
flammable product, and cease all operations
- Eliminate all sources of ignition unless the product is known to be non hazardous
- Clear all bystanders from the area. Use common sense in deciding the order.
2. PERSONAL SAFETY
Particular care must be taken when any person is sprayed or wet by petroleum product. This
especially applies to petrol (gasoline), kerosene, solvents and chemicals.
Persons wet with petrol, kerosene or solvents should be removed from the area immediately
because of the danger of ignition from a hot source.
All their clothing should be removed as soon as possible (but see below) to prevent skin
irritation or toxic effects.
Additionally, there is a distinct possibility of fire, due to static electricity, in removing
clothing which has been wet r contaminated with these products. Clothing that is soaked or
sprayed should be removed only after thoroughly wetting the person concerned with water,
and keeping them wet during the removal of the clothes. A garden or fire hose would suffice
for this.
Persons sprayed with hot bitumen should immediately have the affected area sprayed or wet
with water. NO effort should be made to remove the bitumen.
Where large spills (such as spillage from a number of drums, large tanks or pipelines) are
involved, help should be requested immediately.
Even if any of these areas are not immediately threatened, time should be given to
considering the full consequences of the spill. If any of these areas could possible be
threatened, then help should be requested to allow for them to be protected.
Always remember that it takes time to mobilize assistance. The earlier that help is requested,
the more effective will be the countermeasures and the damage to the environment the least.
Note that in some circumstance containment may not be the best solution to the problem.
Where petrol an other highly flammable product spill are involved. Concern for the safety of
human life take precedence. Not containing these products is often the safest method, if this
does not create new hazard elsewhere. The relevant fire fighting authority will have the final
decision in such circumstance.
When petrol or other highly flammable product are contained, fire prevention foam must be
spread on the surface to control vapors and risk of ignition.
Unconfined petrol and other highly flammable will evaporate and disperse rapidly but should
be directed to safe, controlled areas and not allowed to enter drains or duct which merely re-
locate the hazards, in some cases uncontrollably.
Barrier can be formed from whatever materials are available — usually earth (although
tarpaulins, plastic sheeting or inflated plastic bags may from adequate barrier, particularly if
re-enforced by bricks or other materials). During cleanup operations, fire hose can dam and
divert water if necessary.
Note, however, that concentrated confinement of the oil in porous soil \vill allow greater
penetration of the sub soil. Seek information to assess if there is a risk of oil entering a
watercourse by oil penetrating the water table, in which case it may be preferable to allow a
greater surface area to be *contaminated rather than to risk penetration of the sub-soil.
If there is a definite risk of oil reaching ground water which in use for drinking, consideration
should be given to excavating quickly and removing the area of the spill.
Always remember that any oil which escapes being trapped on land usually ends up in a
watercourse or on the underground water table. In either case the cleanup operation is much
more difficult than on land.
Oil floating on the surface of the water is usually contained by using floating booms which
provide a barrier both above and below the water surface, allowing a build up of oil at the
boom and preventing the oil spreading further.
Fabricated booms may not be immediately available. However, they can be made by lashing
together logs, fence posts, etc.
More likely to prove of immediate use, however, dams and filter fences. Some examples as
shown for reference.
(note: Chemical dispersants are NOT to be used without the approval of the relevant
environmental authority.
5.3. DAMS
These are only effective in slow flowing water. A dam can be built with earth fill or hoses,
and water allowed to flow under the dam using by-pass pipes. (see figure 1,2).
This type of containment barrier can be constructed from commonly available materials and
can be used when water flow is less than 0,5 meters/second. However, for its most effective
use, it should be positioned in the slow moving- part of the stream. It is also advisable to
place second and even third stage barriers immediately downstream in the event f leakage of
the first barrier
5.5. CLEAN UP OF THE SPILL. OIL SPILL ON LAND.
Free oil lying on the soil surface should be pumped into temporary storage as soon as
possible, to minimize the seepage of oil into the sub soil. Channels can be built to drain pools
of oil into storage pits (previously built and line with plastic sheet) from which oil may more
easily be recovered.
When a large spill is suspected or known to have occurred in dry or porous soil, there exist a
risk of the ground waters being contaminated and (on agricultural land particularly) of oil
finding its ways through land drainage pipe and water courses. In these cases guidance will
be required, based on local and expert knowledge, to ensure satisfactory cleanup of the oil.
The work involved here may be quite extensive and last a long time, which emphasizes the
importance of quick action and containment to limit the eventual extent of work required.
Soil contaminated by oil will interfere with future plant growth until natural degradation
finally rectifies the problem. Soil not necessarily be removed from the site and replaced.
Where its removal is critical, in that safety, amenity, and aesthetic reasons are overriding or
that water contamination may be possible, contaminated soil must be removed from the site
and replaced. Only soil which is visible contaminated should be removed and replaced - it is
not necessary to remove soil which merely smells of oil.
'Oil in soil immediately below the surface rarely interferes with plant growth and need not be
removed unless there is a risk of water contamination or safety problems.
For location other than those where excavation is necessary, methods can be used to
accelerate evaporation and biological degradation of the soil For example, ploughing the sod
will aid evaporation, and fertilizing the soil will aid the biological degradation.
6. DITCHES
An oil film may be left on the banks, and vegetation in, ditches which have been subject to oil
spills. This may be burn off, using a flame gun, or cleared using dispersants (refer oil spills
on water) as approved.
The recovered material is passed through’ an oil/water (fig.5 shows a typical improvisation
using large oil drums) to reduce the volume of recovered product for subsequent disposal.
This will work best with petrol. Distillates and heavier oils may not separate readily from
water.
Recovery is aided by concentrating oil into pools.
NOTE: Care must be taken to ensure that any pumping equipment used in skimming
the oil is explosion proof
7. CHEMICAL TREATMENT
Oil can be removed from the surface of the water by;
Sinking
Is not advised as it only conceals the problem and cause untold damage in sensitive areas, e g.
Magrove Swamps.
Burning
Is almost impossible to achieve, and in any case is not recommended due to • hazard and also
consequent air pollution.
Chemical Dispersant
Break oil into droplets which disperse in that water' accelerating biodegradation. They are
applied as a spray from hoses — never poured directly into the water. Agitation of the water
is also necessary to ensure proper mixing. Seek advice before spraying sensitive areas such as
mangrove swamps
Dispersants are available in different concentrations and formulation for special uses, and
should be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Dispersant which may be used are only of the low toxicity type as shown in appendix VI.
Note : Some types are water-diluted while others are solvent-based.
If dispersant are unavailable, ordinary household bio-degradable detergent may be
used although only limited success will be obtained with these materials.
7.2.
COLLECTING AGENTS
Also called surface tension modifiers. They displace oil on the water surface and "chase it"
into pools. They work best on calm water and with light oils, and are best used for collecting
spills and remaining rainbow sheen.
Note: Absorbents (see below) and collecting agents are not compatible. The collecting agents
will "disarm" the absorbent. The collecting agent can be applied and when the oil slick is
compressed the absorbent can then be applied to the slick.
Gelling Agent;
Certain gelling agents can be used to convert oil into a semi-mass known as a gel. This
prevents further spreading and the congealed oil can be scooped from the water surface
Gelling has disadvantages in that gelled oil cannot be removed by pumping. Where small
amounts of oil are concerned, absorbent provide a better solution.
They may sometimes be applied to the periphery of an oil spill to form a chemical "boom" for
containment and to assist removal. They may also be used to retain recovered oil in leaking
containers, etc.
Absorbent
Absorbents are usually used at some stage in the oil cleanup process. The soak up the oil like
a sponge and attract oil preferentially to water. Their function is to absorb and retain oil all
the way to disposal.
Natural absorbent, which have been successfully used in the past, are straw, sawdust,
woodchips, peat and other organic materials. At least one of these is usually easily available.
However, their absorbency is limited depending on how wet they are. If left in water, they
will eventually sink, making recovery difficult.
Synthetic foam and fibers (such as polyurethane) have more absorbency and are easily
handled and recovered. However, they are not usually immediately available.
When to use absorbents
Absorbents should be used ;
a) On land spills
b) On streams and outialls as a filtered fence
c) In hard to reach place
d) On small spills or on separated small pockets
e) For shoreline protection and cleanup.
f) For final cleanup
Most absorbent must be applied by hand and removed by hand — a tedious and lengthy
operation. Therefore, their use should be carefully considered against removal by skimming
and pumping methods.
Note: The risk of fire can be increased by using absorbent. Particular care in storage and
disposal should be taken if they are used.
a) Oil Reclamation
This is recommended as the best disposal method To achieve 1,1?5, pump recovery avoiding
emulsion is favoured.
The recovered oil can be taken to either a refinery or used oil plant for recycling.
c) Incineration
Where permitted, open burning may be possible for small spills and associated debris as
approved by the local authority, otherwise incineration may be achieved in high temperature
incinerations provided for such a purpose.
Note: Take particular care with fire protections.
8. PRODUCT REQUIRING SPECIAL TREATMENT PETROLEUM GASES
Should there be any evidence of gas escaping from a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or other
gas tank, they are should be evacuated. All ignition sources extinguished and spectators kept
well away because of the danger of a fire or explosion. The extent of evacuation will depend
on the amount of gas being released and the wind direction, and this decision is best left to
the fire brigade officer in charge or other person in authority. The distance may amount to
several hundred metres' as the dense gas can spread widely and endanger life and property.
IF a leak from a LPG tanker cannot be sealed off, it is safer to allow the escaping gas which
is already alight to bum provided the tank can be kept cool with water sprays, rather than to
extinguish the flame and allow excess gas to disperse over the surrounding area and possible
burst into flame from another source of ignition. Expert advice should be sought in any
particular case.
Gaseous LPG is heavier than air and the vapor will run downhill, possible for long distance,
and accumulate in cellar, hollows in the ground, etc. An ignition trail
therefore runs from the lowest point of the gas accumulation up the vapor trail to the LPG
tank. The use of gas detectors/explosimeters is essential to determine accurately spreading of
the gases.
Care should be taken that there is no skin contact with LPG in liquid form as its very high
rate of evaporation can cause severe cold burns, as can vapor jet from the teak.
Note (i)
Material with Flash Points below 43 C are fire hazards and those with flash points between
43 C and 66 C are potential fire hazards.
Note (ii)
These product particularly should be prevented from entering water sources and they should
be regarded as toxic unless advice to the contrary is received from the supplying company.
Note (iii)
Most petroleum products, with the exception of bitumens, will float on water and this is the
basis of most recovery methods-float and then
collect by skimming.
1
Appendix 3
Control (by productGroups) Highly flammable liquids category
Petrol (Gasoline,motor spirit,Naptha,light Distillate Feddstock, Solvent)
Whilst the danger of fire is very high, the petrol fractions evaporate quickly ofen this is the
easiest way to disperse petrol in a major spill.
Flammable Liquids Category
Kerosine, Avtur, Middle Distillate (product with flash points around . 40 C)
This group may ignite if exposed to a hot ignition source. They will contaminate if spilled
and take a long time to evaporate. In most case they have to be recovered.
A foam blanket is advisable. Use of water should be restricted possible to only wetting the
earth to provide a barrier.
Distillates, Diesel fuels, Furnace Oils, Fuel Oils
Possibility of ignition is low, but risk of contamination is high. The first objective of control
should be to prevent entry of the oil into the drains. Water should not be used, as hard to
remove emulsions are easily formed.
A foam blanket is not advisable.
Bitumen, Lubricating Oils
Possibility of ignition is low, but contamination is high. (Note that a few types of lubricants
may have low flash points)
2
Appendix 4
Relevant public authority
Public authority may be involved
"Relevant Public Authority" is likely to vary from State to State and any of the following
could be applicable depending on location or circumstances.
This list not exhaustive an other authorities may need to be added for different areas;
Fire Brigade Police
Disaster Plan Organization
Flammable liquid department/Dangerous Good Department
State Pollution Control Authority
Local Council
State/Water drainage or sewerage authority Local Port Authority (if applicable)
Road Authority
Ambulance
Railways
Telecom
Each area should determine the authority, which have overall responsibility at the scene of
the accident, e.g. Police or Fire brigade.
Appendix 5
Available Dispersant
Dispersant
Water Di llutable:
BP Dispersant 1100 WD
Esso Corexit 9527 Esso Corex 7664
Shell dispersant concentrate
Esso Corexit 8667 (non diluting)
Solvent based
BP Dispersant type A/B BP Dispersant 1100 XA Shell dispersant LTX
Oil Collectors
Esso OC-5 Oil collector Shell Helder
Appendix 6
Product Indicators
Placard system
A system of placard on truck and some mobile tank is rapidly gaining favour in most State of
Australia. The placards are mounted in clearly visible location and a typical example is
shown in figure 6
A product code will show the product being carried, follow by information on ways to fight
and handle any fire. Additionally, the emergency telephone numbers and specialist advice
telephone numbers are also shown, with a hazard sign included.
2
Figure 6
PETROLEUM FUEL
TIN NO 1270
H.AZCHENI 3YE
IN EMERGENCY DIAL 000 POLICE OR FIRE BRIGADE
SPECIAL ADVICE
XYZ
PETROLEUM LTD.
PHONE; 111222
23
Decide whether to
contain spill or not
SPILLS ON WATER
Construct oil
barriers/boom
Dams
Filter fences, etc.
Water
SPILLS ON LAND
Build dikes or dams
Close off drains etc.
Spread foam over surface
of flammable liquid
DANGEROUS RISK OF
IGNITION
Aid in dispersant/evaporation
using water hoses
Block off drains ducts
Remote from the spill
Monitor spill until explosimeter
indicate the area in safe
Check for isolated pockets of
product in porous soil by digging
holes and testing with
explosimeter
Call in expert help to assist in
determining when area in safe
Oil recovery using p UM p&skimmer
Absorbent Straw
Sawdust
Repair damage to
environment/property
Reclaim refinery or used oil
plant
Incineration as approved
Landfill disposal
Update prevention/preparedness
plans based on experience to
reduce risk of recurrence of
incident
Repair damage to
environment/property
Dispose of recovered material