Training reduces costs of workplace spillages

Fosse Liquitrol is offering training courses and a video that can help companies minimise the costs associated with spills of oils, chemicals or solvents.

Accidents, bad working practice, poor maintenance, inappropriate storage and leaking equipment can all cause a potentially hazardous spill.

The Environment Agency will always take a very strong line with polluters - especially when negligence is a significant factor.

In 2002, there were over 30,000 substantiated pollution incidents in England and Wales, for which 1700 offenders were fined a total of £3.65m.

The Agency considers legal compliance and good environmental performance to be fundamental and advises that appropriate training in spills prevention and response could drastically reduce both environmental damage and costs to businesses.

Fosse Liquitrol, a leading UK-based manufacturer of spill control and prevention products, has developed a range of cost-effective training products aimed at organisations that use, store or transport oil, chemicals or solvents.

Furthermore, the company has received British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) accreditation for its training course in 'Spill Prevention and Response'.

The course is carried out on the customer's premises and can accommodate up to 12 people.

The object of the certificated course is to provide first responders at a spill incident with the awareness, basic know-how and techniques to safely use sorbent products to recover spilt substances and limit their escape to the environment.

"Currently, Fosse Liquitrol is one of the few companies that can give evidence that it delivers a suitable level of training to meet the Standard required", explains Geoff Hooke of the BSIF.

The Fosse Liquitrol 'Spill Prevention and Response' training course takes place in the environment where spills are likely to occur and lasts for between two and two-and-a-half hours.

Trainees participate in the simulation of spills, deployment of equipment, spill response procedures and after-spill analysis.

Spill prevention and control issues are discussed and a Fosse Liquitrol video highlights how easily environmental damage can be caused if staff are unaware of emergency procedures and equipment.

All participants gain environmental awareness, knowledge of legislation and best working practice, emergency spill response skills and a certificate of attendance.

The training course has already been implemented in several organisations.

John Fitzakerley, assistant buyer, attended a course held at EWS Railways.

He comments: "The training course made each participant much more confident in carrying out the correct techniques and using the spill kits positioned around our depots.

"The course offered hands-on training on our site which was very realistic".

The video used in the Fosse Liquitrol training course is also available to buy as a standalone training aid.

It is aimed to support the roles of the first responder, supervisor, engineer and health and safety manager who have a responsibility for safe working procedures and emergency response strategies.

The video contains a wealth of information in line with Environment Agency and SEPA guidelines as well as current legislation.

Listing all the relevant regulations regarding spill prevention and best practice procedures, the video also discusses secondary containment and the correct storage and handling of all types of hazardous materials.

Correct methods to clear up spills and dispose of the cleaning materials are effectively demonstrated using actual products.

A review of an emergency spill response '8 point plan' completes all the procedures that should be adopted in order to ensure best practice and comply with the relevant regulations.

Clearly and practically presented demonstrations, useful references to regulations, descriptive comparisons and references to the natural environment relate this video to very topical issues.

The video has been reviewed by several of Fosse Liquitrol's customers and the comments have been very favourable.

John Fitzakerley, buyer with EWS Railways, says: "We found the video of huge benefit because it clearly identifies which areas of legislation are relevant to us.

"It will be particularly useful for newly employed people who are working where chemicals and liquids are stored".

It is also suitable as a support for spill control training courses, to provide refresher training.

As Philip Plant from Wincanton notes: "We will continue to use this video in all our induction training to maintain a consistent training message".

Miles Hillmann, managing director and founder of Fosse Liquitrol, concludes: "Training in spill prevention and spill management is vital when hazardous products are in the workplace.

"It is the most cost-efficient method of reducing environmental pollution and loss of product, and can help to avoid the risk of personal injury, bad publicity and subsequent costs".

For more information on the Fosse Liquitrol training courses and video, please contact: Fosse Liquitrol.

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