Knowledge of SPCC is essential for Oil-handling employees

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.