Steps that a facility owner/ operator can take to prevent oil spills include

You can determine whether your facility could reasonably discharge oil into or upon navigable waters or adjoining shorelines by considering the geography and location of your facility relative to nearby navigable waters (such as streams, creeks and other waterways). Additionally, you should determine if ditches, gullies, storm sewers or other drainage systems may transport an oil spill to nearby streams.

Estimate the volume of oil that could be spilled in an incident and how that oil might drain or flow from your facility and the soil conditions or geographic features that might affect the flow toward waterways. Also you may want to consider whether precipitation runoff could transport oil into navigable waters or adjoining shorelines. You may not take into account manmade features, such as dikes, equipment, or other structures that might prevent, contain, hinder, or restrain the flow of oil. Assume these manmade features are not present when making your determination. If you consider the applicable factors described above and determine a spill can reasonably flow to a waterway, then you must comply with the SPCC rule.

A facility that meets the criteria described above must comply with the SPCC rule by preventing oil spills and developing and implementing an SPCC Plan.

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.

Author - Bio

By preparing and implementing a plan, the facility assures it has installed effective spill prevention equipment/secondary containment, established emergency response plans, and provides employee training to prevent and/or respond to oil spills. These proactive activities will reduce emergency response and environmental liability costs associated with spills. Likewise, reduced fire risks and worker exposure can be realized. Visit our http://www.questepa.comto know more insights.