Spills, depending on their content, have the potential to
cause major problems. Here David Lummis discusses the
BSIF’s latest collaboration with the Environment Agency
(EA) on spills and how best to prevent and contain them

In late 2012 the BSIF and EA
commissioned two reports on spills
prevention and containment in the
construction and waste management
industries. The primary reason for focusing
on these industries was because statistics
from the EA indicated high incident levels of
spill pollution in construction and waste
management.

The main objectives of the reports were to:
Identify the key spill prevention issues in
the industries
Understand and identify ways to
overcome barriers to best practice in order
to help reduce spill risks.

Both reports are available to download for
free at: bsif.co.uk and environmentagency.gov.uk.

Waste management industry In order to get an insider view on the
problem, the BSIF and EA commissioned a
research project that involved waste
management industry figures openly
discussing their experiences of spills.

Overall, 23 industry figures participated in
this exercise either via individual interviews
or via one of the three focus groups. The
participants all fell into one of two categories:
The majority worked for a waste
management organisation, and a small
number worked for companies that supply
spill containment products or services.

Twenty of the respondents fell into the
former category and three fell into the latter.

The report gives an insight into the most
common spills faced by waste companies on
and off site. The most common spills
mentioned include spills as a result of
moving oil and diesel, leachate, chemical
spills and fire water run-off. Another
relatively common cause of spills is the
breaking of hydraulic hoses on lorries. This
often happens away from site and can lead to
a spill of up to 100L of hydraulic fluid.

Several participants pointed out that they
have limited control where spills can occur,
for example when waste is delivered in
unsafe and unsuitable containers and when
there is vandalism on site. However the
company remains liable for these incidents
and appropriate measures should be taken to
prevent them.

The report details how the company
handles spills and outlines the barriers for
not following best practice and how these
can be overcome. The report also outlines
what makes for best practice and how by
applying simple steps spills can be prevented
and contained better.

Construction industry The report examined the challenges faced in
preventing spills, environmental hazards and
the cost implications of such issues occurring
in the construction industry.

The report is written in collaboration
with, and features interviews and discussion
pieces from, national regulators and experts
from the largest construction businesses in
the UK including: The chairman of the
Environment Agency, the global
sustainability director at WSP, Vinci
Construction UK, Costain, Willmott Dixon
and many more.

Key topics covered in the report include:
An outline on guidelines, support and
future actions to encourage environmental
management within the UK construction
sector from the EA.

Identifying common spill threats and the
cost of remedy.

Whether there is such a thing as a ‘low
level hazard’ or should – and can – all
hazards be treated as ‘high priority’?
Contractor or developer: Whose
responsibility is spill prevention and how
should the hazard avoidance tasks be
shared?
Developing a spill training plan: knowing
the basics to put in place.

How to ensure the appropriate disposal of
hazardous waste and liquids both during
and post construction phase.

Building a spill prevention kit for your
specific needs: tips from the experts.

In conclusion Not surprisingly, both the reports have
identified that applying best practice is not
only good business sense but supports best
environmental practice too; spills cause
damage and cost money. It is in everyone’s
interest to prevent spills and where necessary
contain them safely.

Both the BSIF and the EA want to
encourage companies to adopt best practice
to reduce the spill incident rate, the severity
of pollution and the wasted cost to the
respective industries.

BSIF members have extensive experience
in these markets and can offer support and
advice to help both industry sectors to, at
best, prevent spills and at least, contain them
better.

The BSIF represents manufacturers and
distributors of safety, health and
environmental products, training
companies, safety and
environmental consultancies,
together with accreditation and
inspection houses, publishers and
risk management consultancies. It
is an HSE-recognised competent
authority and the lead trade body
for the PPE Regulations, as
designated by the UK
Department for Business,
Innovation and Skills.