Author: Nicholas Hunt
Creation Date: 13th August 2013
Filename: 3.6.33. Transporting Liquids.01.00
Revision Date: N/A
Transporting Liquids in Vehicles
EMS DOCUMENT TYPE:
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT:
PURPOSE:
Operational Control Document
Discharges to Water
To provide instructions on the safe transportation of
Liquids on Campus
Introduction:
The University has numerous vehicles across many departments which may carry
liquids in the course of their operational duties. Examples of these would be oils,
paints, chemicals and even foodstuffs. When these items leak either within or from a
vehicle they pose a potential risk to surface water drains if not correctly dealt with.
Surface Water Drains:
These are generally external to a building but can be internal where rainwater pipes
run inside. These drains capture rainwater off buildings, paths, roads and car parks
and generally feed into brooks, streams, rivers and lakes. They are for rain water
only and under NO CIRCUMSTANCES must any other liquid (or solid for that matter)
be disposed of down them. That means no oils, chemicals, food products or even
soapy water. It also means no water from the draining or flushing out of any systems
even if you believe the water to be uncontaminated. Many of the University’s surface
water drains lead to the brooks which adjoin the campus and therefore the
contamination of these drains will lead to the contamination of the brook and be
harmful to the environment. If an incident like this did occur both the University AND
any individual at fault would be at risk of prosecution under the Water Resources Act
1991.
Carrying Liquids:
Any liquids carried in a vehicle should be carried within secondary containment
whenever is practicably possible. This should take the form of a deep plastic tray or
box sufficient in size to contain the quantity of liquid carried. Absorbent spill mats
can, in addition, be placed in the bottom of the tray or box to absorb any operational
spills but must be suitably disposed of if exchanged. The spill mats will take on the
hazardous properties of the product they absorb and must therefore be disposed of
in the appropriate fashion. Any vehicle carrying either significant quantities of liquids
or frequently carrying liquids should also carry a Spill Response Kit in order to be
able to respond to a spill inside or outside the vehicle should it occur. Further advice
on the size and type of spill kit to be carried can be obtained from the Environmental
Manager and a spill kit is available for loan for one off transportation of liquids. Spill
kit products can be purchased through the any of the University’s approved suppliers
of which Arco is one such supplier. www.arco.co.uk
These instructions apply equally to foodstuffs such as tea, coffee, orange juice, milk
and any other beverage or liquid food.
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Copyright Loughborough University
Author: Nicholas Hunt
Creation Date: 13th August 2013
Filename: 3.6.33. Transporting Liquids.01.00
Revision Date: N/A
Spills:
Should a spill occur and be contained within secondary containment then the
contents should be transferred to a suitable alternative container and be correctly
labelled for further use or appropriate disposal. Any spill mat should be appropriately
disposed of as previously indicated, and the secondary container should be washed
out in the area of a Foul Drain and not a Surface Water Drain. Where a hazardous
liquid has been spilled it must be diluted to a level where it is no longer hazardous in
order for it to be disposed of down a foul drain. If this cannot be done the container
should be disposed of as hazardous waste.
Should a spill occur within the van and this need washing out, spill containment
material should first be used to absorb the majority of the spill before moving the
vehicle for washing (thus avoiding a trail of liquid across the campus) to the
appropriate place (see below). Any used spill containment material used should be
disposed of as indicated above.
Vehicle Washing:
There is one main area on the campus where vehicles can be safely washed and
this is a designated area in the Facilities Management Yard. This area runs off into
an interceptor which endeavours to intercept as much oil and debris as possible
before discharging the residual effluent to a foul drain. This area is primarily for the
use of Facilities Management vehicles but could, by special arrangement, be used
for other departmental vehicles. Alternatively departments should use approved car
wash services off site.
There is a secondary area on the Holywell Park site (in the Utilities Yard) but this is
only suitable for light use by FM Grounds vehicles based in that area.
Although there are interceptors in other areas of the campus these still discharge
into the surface water drainage system and therefore the only safe place for washing
vehicles is the designated area in the Facilities Management Yard.
If you have any queries regarding the transportation of liquids or safe washing of
vehicles please do not hesitate to contact the Environmental Manager.
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Copyright Loughborough University