LIQUID FERTILIZERS ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAINMENT
LOADING AND UNLOADING LIQUID FERTILIZER
1.0 PURPOSE:
Purpose of this guideline is to assist Association member locations in the design, operation of loading and unloading of liquid solutions, and to regulate spill containment/control facilities.
2.0 INTRODUCTION:
Important that loading and unloading of liquid solutions be carried out in an environmentally safe method in order to ensure that uncontrolled spills are not released to cause damage to the environment.
Over a period of time, small leaks and spills will contaminate soil and ground water in loading and unloading areas that have not been properly designed and constructed to prevent such contamination.
Design and construction of liquid facilities should be carried out in accordance with any required government regulations, and in keeping with the respective Association member site environmental policy.
3.0 DESIGN OF FACILITIES
3.1 INTRODUCTION:
Design of loading and unloading facilities should ensure that the risk of a spill or release of a liquid solution to adversely impact the environment is minimized by appropriate containment facilities.
3.2 CONCEPTS & PRINCIPLES:
Surface of loading and unloading areas must be constructed of an impervious material (e.g. concrete). The unloading area should be graded to permit containment of minor spills at low point, (e.g. sump). Size of area must be larger than your largest vehicle unless you have a main area located directly under an unloading device. The volume of this containment area must be adequate to fit your emergency response plan.
Interior building flooring should be constructed of impervious materials, with curbing to contain spills of liquid materials inside the building.
Dykes containing tanks storing liquid solutions should be constructed of impervious materials. Dykes should follow the Association guideline for a well-constructed dyke.
Sewer drains near storage or washing areas should be blocked.
The unloading area should have sumps to collect the spill (e.g. drip pans, bladders, etc.)
3.3 RISK MINIMIZATION & MANAGEMENT:
Important that each Association member location consider the location of storage tanks, operations, dykes, high traffic areas, and topography and flood plain of the site with respect to the managing of risks (i.e. spills to soil and groundwater, or to watercourse).
Risks can be minimized with the use of impervious materials, trained employees, inspections, procedures, dykes, fencing, lockout systems, spill collection and mitigation equipment, etc.
In case of a fire, site should be graded to avoid runoff of contaminated firewater to a watercourse.
4.0 OPERATIONS:
4.1 TRAINING:
Site training program should be implemented at all Association sites that handle liquid solutions in order to protect the employees, and the environment. A training program should be well documented, and routinely upgraded. Employees should be advised of your company's policy toward protection of the environment.
Employees should be shown (by use of procedures) that consideration of the environment is part of the job (e.g. use of pails to collect hose and pipe drippings, conservation of water).
Procedures should be in place to deal with the clean up, and reporting of spills, etc.
Employees should be trained in carrying out the site emergency response plan. Employees should also be trained in the use of personal protective equipment and spill clean-up equipment.
4.2 INSPECTIONS:
Check operations for potential spill points.
Dykes should be inspected regularly.
(see Guidelines #5 - Checklist for Farm Storage of Liquid Fertilizers)
Regularly review site operations for ways to minimize the generation of wastewater.
It is important to ensure that the vehicle or tank receiving liquid solutions is not leaking, and that valves are not open or leaking.
All tanks should be inspected regularly for corrosion and stability, as well as ancillary equipment (i.e. piping).
(see Guidelines #5 - Checklist for Farm Storage of Liquid Fertilizers)
4.3 ON-SITE SPILL CONTAINMENT & MANAGEMENT:
Spills should be cleaned up immediately to avoid the potential for soil and groundwater contamination.
Spill collection equipment should be on-site (i.e. pumps, drums, absorbent materials, etc).
Spills may need to be reported to the Ministry of the Environment if there is an impact on the environment.
Liquid spills or wastewater should be collected and recycled wherever possible.
(see Guidelines # 4 - Fertilizer - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)
An emergency response plan should be in place to deal with inadvertent spills. All employees should be familiar with this plan.
4.4 EQUIPMENT CLEAN-UP:
Use designated equipment, if frequent cleaning is necessary.
4.5 SECURITY:
Pumps or tank drain valves should be locked out when not in use or when no one is on-site.
5.0 CHECKLIST:
o
Are all unloading and loading operation areas cleaned daily?o
Are collection buckets used to catch drips or when disconnecting hoses?o
Are underground sumps checked for leakage?o
Is the containment area inspected regularly as to integrity?o
Are tanks checked for rust or leaks? Are inspections documented?o
Is storm water runoff managed to avoid contamination with product?o
Are tanks, unloading and loading pads in a contained area?o
Is the contained area 125% the volume of the largest tank? Plus the volume occupied
by the other tanks in the area up to the safe design level of the dyke?o
Are all pipes and hoses within the containment area?o
Are leaks repaired immediately?o
Are captured liquid solutions recycled?o
Is contaminated runoff collected and recycled?o
Are liquids stored to prevent contamination with other materials?o
Are flammable materials segregated?o
Are tanks labelled correctly?o
Are your employees trained in the proper handling of liquid solutions?o
Do you have protective and spill containment equipment on-hand?o
Are sewer drains plugged (if any)?o
Does your loading and unloading facility have proper security, fencing, lighting,
locking system, etc.?o
Do you have Material Safety Date Sheets (MSDS) available for all products
required?o
Are appropriate signs placed to designate hazardous chemicals?
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