A
facility is covered by the SPCC rule if it
has an aggregate aboveground oil storage capacity greater than 1,320 U.S.
gallons or a completely buried storage capacity greater than 42,000 U.S.
gallons and there is a reasonable expectation of an oil discharge into or upon
navigable waters of the U.S. or adjoining shorelines. A facility that stores,
processes, refines, uses or consumes oil and is non-transportation-related is
potentially subject to the SPCC
rule.
Steps that a facility owner/ operator can take
to prevent oil spills include:
•
Using containers suitable for the oil stored. For example, use a container
designed for flammable liquids to store gasoline;
•
Providing overfill prevention for your oil storage containers. You could use a
high-level alarm or audible vent;
•
Providing sized secondary containment for bulk storage containers, such as a
dike or a remote impoundment. The containment needs to hold the full capacity
of the container plus possible rainfall. The dike may be constructed of earth
or concrete. A double-walled tank may also suffice;
•
Providing general secondary containment to catch the most likely oil spill
where you transfer oil to and from containers and for mobile refuelers and
tanker trucks. For example, you may use sorbent materials, drip pans or curbing
for these areas; and Periodically inspecting and testing pipes and containers.
You need to visually inspect aboveground pipes and oil containers according to
industry standards; buried pipes need to be leak tested when they are installed
or repaired. Include a
written
record of inspections in the Plan.
Prepare and implement an SPCC Plan:
The
owner or operator of the facility must develop and implement an SPCC
Plan that describes oil handling operations, spill prevention practices,
discharge or drainage controls, and the personnel, equipment and resources at
the facility that are used to prevent oil spills from reaching navigable waters
or adjoining shorelines.
Although
each SPCC Plan is unique to the facility, there are certain elements that must
be described in every Plan including:
•
Operating procedures at the facility to prevent oil spills;
•
Control measures (such as secondary containment) installed to prevent oil
spills from entering navigable waters or adjoining shorelines; and
•
Countermeasures to contain, cleanup, and mitigate the effects of an oil spill
that has impacted navigable waters or adjoining shorelines. Every SPCC Plan
must be prepared in accordance with good engineering practices.
Every
SPCC Plan must be certified by a Professional Engineer unless the
owner/operator is able to, and chooses to, self- certify the Plan. No matter
who certifies your SPCC Plan, remember that ultimately the owner or operator is
responsible for complying with the rule.
Author – Bio :
Oil-handling
employees must be trained. Training topics must include operation and
maintenance of equipment to prevent the discharge of oil; discharge procedure
protocols; applicable pollution control laws; rules and regulations; general
facility operations; and the contents of the facility SPCC plan. The
professionals of Quest Consultants assist clients in better understanding of all
aspects of a SPCC plan. The purpose of our training is to help prepare and
inform clients on the required information and tasks needed to be SPCC compliant. Visit http://www.questinc2.com/
to know more about SPCC plan requirements, SPCC regulations and other useful
information about SPCC plan.
