Dedicated Oil Spill Cleaning Services

Physical injuries

If oil spills onto a surface where workers may touch or walk on, there is a risk of a slip-and-fall accident. If the oil spilt is hot, it might result in burns and scalded skin. As an employer, you should have absorbent mats or pads around oil tanks and barrels to soak up excess oil or contain a spill.

Fire risk

Oil is a flammable substance that quickly ignites when exposed to an open flame or prominent heat source. If staff members decide to smoke after being in contact with oil, they may be at serious risk of burn injuries. Any open flames or heat sources must be kept separate from oil containers, and using industrial-grade tanks could prevent a fire risk. Employees should also wash their hands thoroughly and dispose of contaminated clothing before eating, drinking, or smoking.

Environmental impact

Domestic and workplace oil tanks have the potential to pollute the local environment. In the case of a workplace spill, any drains in the warehouse might lead to local water supplies and infect the water during a leak. Containing the movement and covering any nearby drains will help prevent damage to the ecosystem.

Health and welfare

Exposure to oil could vary depending on the size of the spill and how a person encounters it. Inhaling, ingesting, or touching oil might result in severe health effects, including an increased risk of cancer and dermatitis. You can read more about the health risks of oil spillage here.

How to conduct an oil spill risk assessment

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), you must conduct a risk assessment at least once a year — but it is always a good idea to do this more frequently. In the case of oil substances, there are multiple devastating consequences that could occur from an oil spill. Although a risk assessment does not eliminate risk, it can help you understand how to react in an emergency.

Organise the risk assessment

• Identify operations such as products, equipment, and location
• Identify objectives
• Identify the consequences, including environmental, safety, health, financial, political, and social
• Organise the team

Analyse hazards

• Identify and understand spill scenarios
• Review recent spill data and cases
• Use data to review area and operational risks
• Identify the potential sources of a spill
• Estimate possible spill severity and size
• Understand what could go wrong and why

Analyse probabilities

• Review spill statistics
• Review the probability
• Understand the likelihood of an incident

Analyse the consequences

• Identify the potential path of a spill
• Understand the likely outcome
• Identify and estimate the adverse effect
• Understand what and who could be affected

Characterise the risk

• Think about the probability of a spill
• Identify the potential consequences
• Conclude on a risk value

Risk management

• Reduce probabilities with preventative maintenance, new training programmes, investment of new equipment, and consider a new location for the oil
• Reduce the consequences with updated countermeasures, training, and emergency planning

We cover all areas in the Borough of Swale in Kent, including:

• Badlesmere
• Bobbing
• Doddington
• Dunkirk
• Eastling
• Faversham
• Halfway Houses
• Hartlip
• Leysdown
• Milstead
• Milton Regis
• Ospringe
• Queensborough
• Sheerness
• Stalisfield
• Teynham
• Throwley
• Tonge
• Warden

Health risks of oil exposure

Short-term symptoms

• Inflammation of the skin and eyes
• Rashes and blisters
• Chest discomfort
• Coughing
• Headache
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Loss of memory

Long-term consequences

• Reproductive complications
• Breathing difficulties
• Weak immunity
• Increased chance of cancer
• Organ problems

Get in touch with a member of our friendly support team today

Get in touch today to find out more about our cleaning services. Either call us at 0208 066 0360 to speak with a member of our professional support team or send your enquiry to enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk.