Are YOU breaking the law?
Most operators in the turf maintenance sector are concerned about compliance with
Oil and Fuel - Storage and Dispensing
legislation applicable to them, and do not wish to run foul of the law. Many believe they are aware of their duties and responsibilities and have taken appropriate action. It is evident, however, that some confusion still exists.
Here, David Mears looks at three main areas which, borne out by recent message board postings and enquiries, are probably the most topical
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Many groundsmen and greenkeepers will have a diesel tank to refuel machines, and will probably all store oils. To help comply with legal requirements; the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 and the Water Environment (Oil Storage) (Scotland) Regulations 2006, the Environmental Agency (EA) has produced PPG2 (Planning Policy Guidance). The following interpretation of the legal document and PPG2 will, hopefully, prove of help and simplify matters. The Regulations require anyone who
stores more than 200 litres of oil in England (or any quantity in Scotland) to provide more secure containment facilities for tanks, drums, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and mobile bowsers, to prevent oil escaping into the environment. All oils are covered; petrol, diesel, mineral oil, heating oil, vegetable and plant oil (waste oil is covered under the Scottish regulations and by a separate act in England and Wales).
All oil containers (drums, tanks, barrels, etc.) should be situated within a
secondary containment system (bund) which is strong enough and will not leak or burst under normal use. This secondary containment must be capable of holding a minimum of 110% of the capacity of the stored container or 25% of their aggregate storage capacity, whichever is greater. The base and walls must be impermeable to oil and water and must not be penetrated by any valve, pipe or other opening which is used for draining the system.
In simple terms, the best solutions for compliance are; install an OFTEC approved bunded (plastic or steel) diesel tank with integral pump and hose and place all of your oils on sump pallets. Petrol can be stored in a SiteSafe (or similar) or a Transit Box that holds 4 x 20 litre jerry cans. The transit box is also legal for placing on the back of an open trailer or pick up to collect petrol. Collecting in your own car, in a closed boot, is not permitted. You can only carry 2 x 5 litre petrol cans in a car. In answer to a number of enquiries, yes, a properly bunded diesel tank can be placed inside the ‘sheds’, unless your insurers have any special requirements. It is as well to site this away from the rest
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