If your business stores oil, you must be prepared for accidents. Even a small leak could bring operations to a halt, damage your property, and harm the environment.
ICE Cleaning is a specialist cleaning company that can clear up oil spills, whether it is in water, on soil, or on a hard surface. Its technicians can be on site in 60 minutes in an emergency.
Keep reading to find out how you should respond to an oil spill.
Respond immediately
If you discover an oil leak, you must act quickly. First, call the UK pollution hotline on 0800 80 70 60 to report the incident and get advice on what to do.
Next, stop the flow of the oil, whether that is putting a bucket under the leak, or closing valves and taps. The spill also needs to be contained and soaked up to stop it spreading.
You should not attempt this yourself as exposure to oil is very dangerous. Oil contains toxic chemicals and gives off fumes that can cause nausea, headaches, fatigue, and breathing problems. Prolonged exposure increases the risk of more serious health problems, like organ damage, and cancer.
Only professionals with personal protective equipment and training in oil remediation should go near the leakage. Instead, you should contact your fuel supplier for specific advice about your situation.
You then must notify your insurance company of the spill to claim the cost of the lost oil, and to let them know you require professional cleaning services.
Don’t clean it up yourself
Oil is very difficult to remove without the right equipment, products, and gear. This is because oil leaves a residue on every surface it comes in contact with, so the entire area has to be deep cleaned.
If you clean it up incorrectly, you also might make the situation worse, like washing it down the drain or using detergents. Both could lead to serious pollution. Only professional cleaners with specialist training can safely and effectively remove all traces of the oil.
Stop it contaminating water supplies
If the oil is soaking into the ground or soil, you need to ensure it does not spread to building foundations or groundwater supplies. Bring in professional cleaners with training specifically in cleaning up, removing, and disposing of soil contaminated with oil.
The moment an oil spill or leak occurs, you must hire professional help to minimise damage to your company and the environment around it. ICE Cleaning’s technicians are fully permitted to handle and discard of any oil, and are available nationwide.
You can find out more about ICE Cleaning’s range of services here.
