How to deal with a fuel spill
The instructions below explain how to deal with a fuel spill.
Maintain the spillage
- Stop further spillage if safe to do so (i.e. shut the valve).
- Prevent spillage entering gullies, drains and vulnerable areas (i.e. grassland, ditches, rivers etc.) using spill kits and drain covers.
- Cordon off the spillage area.
Report incident
- Notify P&FS Helpdesk- tell them
- what has happened?
- What has been done to manage the spill?
- The estimated volume of oil, fuel, AdBlue, chemical spilt (or area covered by spill).
- Location of spillage and any affected drains using a site plan.
- Be very clear about whether or not the spillage has entered a drain.
- Contact details for an available person at site to deal with further queries/action
- Report the spill via ERICA
- Any reporting to external parties will be dealt with centrally
- Where an Enforcing Authority ( Health and Safety Executive (or NIHSE), Police, Local Authority Environmental Health Officer, Environmental Agency (or NIEA) Natural Resources Wales, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) ) attends site:
- Notify P&FSHelpdesk
- Make the Unit Manager/PIC aware
- Politely request identification and reason for the visit.
- Sign in and induct the Inspector to the site.
- For more details see SHEI 10.3 – Engaging with Enforcement Authorities.
Follow-up actions
- Should anyone else in the business be notified? For Example:
- Fuel/AdBlue/Oil loss is from bulk storage- contact Fleet and Maintenance Services-
- Fuel Supply Team Operational Control where spill at PFW sites
- CPC – where there is an operational impact.
- Ensure prompt removal of used clean-up materials – report delays to P&FS Helpdesk
- Scan and send waste paperwork (i.e. consignment note) to rmwebsites@ndc-uk.co.uk
- Order more spill kits
- Co-operate throughout any formal incident review.
If in doubt at any stage always call Central Postal Control (CPC)
Central Postal Control deals with issues on a regular basis and will be able to talk you through how to deal with any situation.