Are you ready for winter?

Snow and freezing conditions are starting to bite in some parts of the UK, which can lead to big problems if you're unprepared.  Here are some thoughts on steps you can take.

 Waste removals

The obvious problem centres around transport difficulties and the disruption this can cause to waste collections. 

It therefore makes sense to give some consideration to contingency planning around this in order to make sure that any missed collections don't result in excessive build-up of waste on site.  

If waste stocks are likely to exceed normal levels, it's a good idea to think in advance about where they can be stored safely: in the case of hazardous wastes, do you have sufficient bunded storage available? For dry waste, can you have extra skips delivered before the weather gets too bad, just to see you through?

Check the containers your waste is stored in too - if you're storing aqueous liquid wastes that could freeze in drums and IBCs, then it's worth keeping a close eye on them to make sure the containers don't split as the waste expands upon freezing.  Older IBCs and plastic drums may become brittle in the colder temperatures, making them more prone to damage. 

Bursts

Freezing temperatures can cause water pipes to burst and drains to crack.

Whilst the former are usually detected easily, the latter can go unnoticed and allow unseen seepage of potentially polluting substances to land when the thaw comes.

It's a good idea to make regular inspections, but this is especially important after weather conditions like these.

Also, check for blockages as well - frozen leaves and other debris can block drains.

Bund capacity and integrity

Snow takes up space in bunds, but isn't seen in the same way as rainwater.

Too much and it could compromise the capacity of your bunds in the event of a spill - so it's worth keeping on top of the problem by digging-out any accumulations of snow on a regular basis.

Snow can also mask cracks and holes that may have appeared in bund walls - the likelihood of which can be increased by moisture expanding in the seams of brick-built bunds as it turns to ice in freezing temperatures.  Daily inspection will help to combat these problems and assure the integrity of your secondary containment.

Look out too for ice forming in portable sump pallets - this can not only reduce their capacity but may also cause permanent distortion and splits.

Spill response equipment

Finally, don't overlook the impact that freezing conditions and snow can have on your spill response capabilities:

It's possible for the lids on your spill response stores to become frozen shut which could delay staff response to chemical spills by valuable seconds.  Also, large accumulations of snow - particularly drifts - can even obscure your spill response kits to make finding and then accessing them difficult.

Planning for the negative environmental consequences of snow and ice should be part of a wider approach to business continuity and emergency planning.  Don't forget also that, whilst your site may be well prepared, your upstream key suppliers may not be - so it's worth asking them about their preparedness and contingency plans to make sure problems at their facilities don't adversely impact your supply chain.

For more help and guidance, why not contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation? Click here or call us on 0845 123 2544.

You can find more help in this Guide to Winterisation from the Chemical Industries Association.