29 Aug
Uncategorized

We’re Going to Answer Your Most Asked Questions About Bunding

If you’ve recently taken a look at your workplace’s safety measures and realised bunding may solve a lot of your spill containment needs, we don’t blame you. It’s a common choice among Australian businesses for a reason.

But getting started with a new safety measure can be daunting, so we have all the answers to your questions right here. 

How is A Bund Useful? 

In simple terms, bunding is a great approach to safely prevent spills in workplaces. So when you use a bund, you’re pretty much preventing a dangerous spill from happening, and these spills then reduce the amount of time spent being productive at work, so it’s better for your workplace’s functionality, safety and the environment if you prevent spills. 

How Many Types of Bunds Are There? 

Yes there are, commonly there are two main categories of bunds. One is permanent and the other is portable. 

Permanent bunds are attached to the ground and are found near permanent tanks, near doorways and the like. They can be made of hard plastics, concrete and more. 

Portable bunds are made from a geomembrane fabric or polyethylene form, and are usually able to be moved easily, so are portable and can be used in the field. 

How Do You Know Which Bund Type To Use?

There’s no straightforward way to answer this question as the type of bunding you use will depend on a lot of factors. This includes the type, quantity and location of liquids you hold, and the overall risk of spills that can occur during handling and moving these chemicals. To know the exact needs your workplace has, and how these factors come into play, you will need a risk assessment, and this is something we can help with at Spill Station, Australia. 

How Do I Know How Much Bunding Goes Where? 

This is how you know: keep in mind that the exact size of the bund you will need all depends on the volume held in your primary storage containers and the liquid present. The requirements set forward by the Australian government cite that the bunding capacity should be at least 110% of the largest container or 25% of the total stored on the bund, of these you should choose whichever one is greater. 

How Do You Remain Compliant? 

Speaking in general terms (as there’s more to compliancy than just this), your bund needs to be sturdy, chemically resistant, fire resistant and capable of allowing the spills that occur to be cleaned safely. 

Does Bunding Need Maintenance? 

Yes. If the bund is torn or leaks, it can cause spills to compound or cause a dangerous workplace. So it’s vital to constantly maintain and clean the bund between uses. Although this sounds like a lot of work, it’s worth it to prolong the life of your bunds and your workplace. 

What If I don’t Need Bunding?

There’s no need to guess, whether or not you need a bund will come down to a risk assessment. This tells you in general terms which safety precautions you should have in place according to the unique risks in your workplace already. From here you can either reduce the risk or use safety precautions like bunds. 

If all this sounds confusing, we don’t blame you. If you need help, Spill Station can aid you in risk assessments and all your needs for bunding in Australia

29 Aug
Uncategorized

Answering All Your Burning Spill Kit Questions

When your workplace is looking into using spill kits, there are a lot of common questions that arise. This isn’t surprising, workplace safety is quite a complicated subject, and guidance is often needed.

But why should we give you the answers?  

Spill Station is the leading supplier of spill kits in Australia, and we offer everything from risk assessments to workplace training to help you wrap your head around safety precautions that should be ready in your workplace, and how to remain compliant over time. 

Let’s Educate You:

Why should you use a spill kit? 

It’s simple, to keep your workers and the environment safe. If a hazardous liquid spills into your workplace and you don’t have the appropriate safety precautions in place, the spill will shut down work, result in a call to emergency services, and can possibly harm workers, cause slips and falls, destroy machinery and harm the environment. Just stay safe and use a spill kit! 

What happens if you don’t have a spill kit? 

In Australia, spill kits are considered a legal requirement if your business handles, stores or moves hazardous liquids. So you must have the equipment you need to respond effectively and safely to spills. If you fail to adhere to these laws, you can be fined or even face jail time, with serious brand reputation repercussions. In our opinion, it’s just not worth the risk. 

Do staff need training or can they use the instructions?

If you don’t train your staff, they can’t handle a spill effectively. You may think that the instruction card is enough, but it’s really not. If you train your staff they can implement the kit without delays in an emergency situation. If you need help with this, contact Spill Station, not only do we have the best spill kits in Australia, we can also train you to use them. 

Are your staff safe when using a spill kit? 

Each spill kit, regardless of type, will contain PPE, otherwise known as  personal protective equipment. This is because the kit will be used for cleaning a hazard and keeping your staff safe is vital. The actual specifications of the PPE will depend on the type of spill kit you’re using, but you can often find things such as eye and face protection, overalls and more. 

How many spill kits do you need? 

The amount of spill kits you’ll need will depend on the type of chemicals you carry, their quantity and location. By assessing all these factors, you can approximate how to best keep everyone safe. This will take a safety risk assessment to determine, and it’s something else we can help with at Spill Station. 

Do spill kits need maintenance?

Spill kits (like all safety measures) will need to be maintained correctly. The easiest way to do this is to simply restock each spill kit right after it’s been used. This will make sure there are no gaps in your kit, and it’s ready to be used again. The kit should also be checked frequently for cracks or problems in the exterior also. If you need help with spill kit maintenance and inspections, once again, we can help with that at Spill Station.

01 Aug
Uncategorized

Failure to install spill control costs $30K

A Tottenham metal recycler has been fined $16,000 and ordered to pay Environment Protection Authority Victoria’s (EPA) $14,000 costs at Sunshine Magistrates Court.
Both the company director and the BDM pled guilty to three charges of noncompliance.

The noncompliance concerned:

  • failure to install (and report on) engineering controls so as to contain any spills or leaks of liquid waste from such activities & prevent them from accessing land and stormwater.

RoBund Trafficable Bunding is an easy, cost effective bunding solution that can be quickly installed on any flat sealed surface.
For more information on how you can improve workplace safety, contact the Spill Station team today.

wash pad bunding

30 May
Uncategorized

Flammable liquid cabinets

The overall purpose of a flammable cabinet is to protect the items within the cabinet, in the event that the space around it is no longer stable. Whether that be a fire, ignition sources or even mishandling or misplacing the items. The cabinets are essentially a fireproof method in which you can keep your workplace safe and your hazardous chemicals apart.

Consider the Construction

Flammable liquid cabinets often have a double wall made of corrosion resistant steel, this is an insulator that protects it from external heat. It also has galvanised steel cabinet shelves as well as a leak proof sump where liquids can safety pool in the event of a leak. 

The doors also feature a soft close with safety latches and lockable handles for as much as safety as possible, and to keep unwanted hands away from hazards. One of the most useful features it has, or at least the ones offered by Spill Station has are adjustable feet, so you don’t need to level the floors before use.

Visible Labels Matter

As per the Australian Standards, all flammable storage cabinets have a bold red sign that warns of flammable materials, for easy identification. The cabinet is also made in a bright yellow colour so they cannot easily be hidden or placed out of sight. 

Additionally, Spill Station’s flammable cabinets carry an additional label that reminds people nearby not to smoke within 3 metres of the cabinet. This is a strict guideline that dictates that ignition sources such as sparks, cigarettes and the like must be kept away from the cabinets and where they are stored, to reduce risk. 

By labelling the cabinet correctly, you can ensure that staff, visitors and emergency service workers are all aware of the cabinet’s placement, what they contain and the dangers of introducing ignition sources nearby. 

Position The Cabinets Correctly

To make sure the flammable liquids stored in your workplace pose minimal risk to workers, workspaces and the environment, they must be strategically placed. Some of the guidelines are as follows:

  • Flammable liquid storage cabinets that have a capacity above 850L must be placed further away than 3 metres to any wall shared with another room, unless the wall is made of concrete or masonry and is 3 metres taller than the cabinet. 
  • Flammable cabinets with a greater capacity than 850L should only be installed in factories and workshops, not hospitals, residential buildings and the like. 
  • Cabinets with a greater capacity than 850L shouldn’t be placed on upstairs levels, or any floors without access to the street or ground level. 

It’s also vital to keep these storage rules in mind.

  • You can only place 850L per 250 square metres on ground floors.
  • You can only place 250L per 250 metres squared on any other floor. 
  • In all cases, these total quantities must be separated by at least 10 metres. 

By following all these rules, you can help make sure your workplace is kept safe. If you want compliance ready flammable cabinets, you can’t look past Spill Station’s range of flammable cabinets.

27 Nov
Uncategorized

What is a Spill Kit used for?

Industries where Spill Kits are needed

The spill kit is generally used in line with a spill response procedure which is designed to ensure that the spill is cleaned up in the most efficient and effective way, whilst maintaining the safety of colleagues and patrons. In most jurisdictions around the nation spill kits are a legal requirement and form part of the safety and environmental procedures when handling dangerous liquids. It is possible that your business could be fined for not abiding by these legal requirements.

Spill kits can be found in many business and industries, you can expect to find spill kits in warehouses, transport, laboratories, production and manufacturing, restaurants, docks, marinas and other commercial industries. However, spill kits are designed as a spill response product. All hazardous substances should always be handled by a trained professional and with the utmost care in order to minimise the chance of a spill.

Warehouses
Laboratories
Workshop
Marine
Food & Bev
Oil & Fuel

Spill Kits Main Benefits

There are many benefits to having a good quality spill kit on hand and using it in the
instance of a hazardous chemical spill.

  • AusSpill Quality Compliant

  • Laboratory Tested Capacity

  • Protect People and Assets

  • Environmentally Responsible

  • Fast ID Colour Coding

  • Australian Made

What is a Spill Kit?

The spill kit is generally used in line with a spill response procedure which is designed to ensure that the spill is cleaned up in the most efficient and effective way, whilst maintaining the safety of colleagues and patrons. In most jurisdictions around the nation spill kits are a legal requirement and form part of the safety and environmental procedures when handling dangerous liquids. It is possible that your business could be fined for not abiding by these legal requirements.

Learn More
Enquire Now

To ensure the safety of yourself and others in the case of a spill or when using a spill kit, your work area should permanently contain a safety shower and eyewash station compliant with AS4775:2007 as a minimum precaution. All staff should be trained on how to use these appropriately and how to assist a colleague who may need to use one in the case of any emergency.

There are many benefits to having a good quality spill kit on hand and using it in the instance of a hazardous chemical spill.

Spill kits can be customised to your needs and come in a variety of sizes and absorbency levels that will soak up and contain a leakage or spill. The varying types of sorbents can be used for oil spills in water as well as spills on general surfaces such as concrete.

Enquire Now

Spill Kits Categories

Spill kits can be customised to your needs and come in a variety of sizes and absorbency levels that will soak up and contain a leakage or spill. The varying types of sorbents can be used for oil spills in water as well as spills on general surfaces such as concrete.

Learn More

Having and utilising a spill kit is much like any other equipment your business may have and use. It is essential that the relevant staff familiarise themselves with the kit, how it work and the types of spills it is suitable for. Contact Spill Station Australia today for more information on our accredited spill response training.

Maintenance of emergency and safety equipment is mandated in the WHS regulations.This obligation can be met and coordinated through the Spill Station service team.

When properly used a spill kit it is an essential safety measure that can protect against harm to people, property and the environment.

Spill Station Certifications

Spill Station® Australia is an independently accredited ISO9001:2008 company and a Recognised Australian Defence Force Supplier.

Have a question?

Contact Us
Concrete Batch Plant Solutions
23 Mar
Uncategorized

Concrete batch Plant Solutions

Concrete Batch Plant Solutions.

All industries pose some type of risk to the environment and the concrete, cement and aggregates industry is no exception. One of the primary risk points on a concrete batch plant is chemicals and sediment laden water discharging through stormwater drains.

Though most sites manage these risks effectively, there is always the opportunity to improve practices. To assist in this continuous improvement, Spill Station have assembled a tailored range of products for concrete batching plants. 

Chemical management and handling, including waste chemicals is one identified environmental risk area. Spill Station Australia offer a range of spill trays for containers from 20L to 1000L IBC’s. Where a dedicated roofed structure is not available, we have covered bunded units for outdoor storage of chemicals.

Where containment of substances over a larger area is required, RoBund is an excellent solution. It is a modular polyurethane product that bolts to the ground to contain spills but allows vehicles to drive over. Because it is polyurethane it will not chip or crack and can be easily retrofitted to existing sites.

Sediment laden water entering the stormwater system is a constant issue on almost all batching plants. Drain Guards collect solids that wash into stormwater drains and significantly reduce the strain on triple interceptors. They are easily fitted under the drain grate and the installation process occurs above ground so no confined spaces protocols are required.

These Drain Guards are designed to never block even when full. Because they are made from polypropylene, they have the additional feature of removing 99.8% of hydrocarbons that may wash down into the stormwater during a rain event.

Safety shower and eyewash units are a critical piece of safety equipment on all batch plants but are often found in poor condition and therefore non-compliant. The most common problem is that the eyewash dust covers are not replaced or lost and the aerators become blocked. The other problem is the shower/eyewash is exposed to the sun and the water heats up above compliant temperatures.

To combat these common problems, Spill Station offer a self-draining safety shower with a covered eyewash. The eyewash valve is integrated into the lid. This means that in order to turn off the flow of water, the eyewash cover is closed therefore covering the aerators. When the safety shower is turned off all of the water in the shower is drained out of the system, preventing any water from becoming over heated.

Spill Response Kits are a basic piece of environmental/safety equipment found on almost all sites in Australia. The Spill Station Hazchem Spill Kits are a result of over 38 years of experience and are suitable to use common batch plant chemicals as well as oils, fuels, coolant and hydraulic fluids found in vehicles attending the site.

In addition to these products, Spill Station also offer spill kit and safety shower/eyewash compliance audits to ensure your equipment maintains compliance with Australian Standards and WHS regulation.

Contact Spill Station today on 1300 66 42 66 for more details on how we can help you.

Pollution Solutions
11 Feb
Uncategorized

Pollution Solution: Stormwater Protection

A $15,000 fine issued to a western Sydney glass recycler has increased the awareness of how serious the EPA is about preventing solids from entering the storm water system.

EPA Director Regulatory Operations Cate Woods said, “The glass can break and enter the environment as wind blown particles or be washed into the storm water system.”

In an effort to make it clear that they are applying an equal focus to all players in the recycling industry, Cate Woods went on to say, “The EPA wants to ensure there is a level playing field for all resource recovery operators and that includes complying with the terms of their Environment Protection Licence and the law.

“This is a timely reminder for all licence holders that they must comply with all conditions of their licence”, Ms Woods said.

The Flat Drain Guard is an efficient and low cost solution to preventing solids and sediment from entering on site drains. Once installed, this passive filter sits out of traffic areas under the grate allowing for the normal operation of the area.

Installation and monitoring are easy as it all takes place above ground so no confined spaces protocols are required.

The Flat Drain Guard has the added benefit of acting as a hydrocarbon filter. Independent laboratory testing shows the Flat Drain Guard removes over 99% of oils and fuels. This makes it ideal for carparks and areas where oil contaminated wash down is entering the drains.

CLICK HERE for more information on the FLAT DRAIN GUARD

Compliant Oil Fuel Spill Kit
09 Feb
Uncategorized

Spill Station Goes Lime Green

Australian Standard AS4123.7 designates a yellow bin and lid for use as a clinical waste container. Spill kit users are having to ask the question, “Is that a clinical waste bin or a spill kit?”

By June 1 2021, Spill Station will transition all of our spill kits to the unique lime green bins. Unlike yellow bins, the lime green colour is not in conflict with any Australian Standards.

This same Australian Standard designates red bins for radioactive waste and blue bins for office paper.

We believe that the AusSpill Quality Guidelines provide a significant improvement for all spill kit users and our community as a whole. As well as recommending the bright lime green colour body, it designates white, yellow and grey lids for oil kits, chemical kits and general kits. The guidelines also suggest kit describers with text a minimum of 50mm high on a contrasting background to ensure fast recognition and rapid spill response.

All of the spill kit bags will also be in lime green by June 1 to ensure a consistant appearance to all kits across the range.

These guidelines are not a legal requirement but we believe that having spill kits in a uniform unique colour we are providing a net benefit to the health and safety of Australians and our environment.

Contact Spill Station today to find out how we can help you to transition to AusSpill Quality Compliant spill kits on your site.

$500 rebate
09 Feb
Uncategorized

SafeWork $500 Safety Equipment Rebate For Small Business

SafeWork $500 Safety Equipment Rebate For Small Business

In order to help small business to improve safety, SafeWork NSW has introduced a $500 rebate to small business owners and sole traders in NSW to buy and install equipment to make their workplace safer.

Eligible items include bunding, dangerous goods cabinets and spill containment systems.

To be able to claim the $500 rebate your company must have fewer than 50 employees and you are conducting a business producing goods or providing services in NSW. SafeWork has published the full terms and conditions on their website.

Claimants are required to watch a webcast such as Management of Hazardous Manual Tasks

A full list of eligible events can be found on the SafeWork website.

Contact Spill Station today for information on a range of eligilble items.

Ph: 1300 66 42 66

enquiries@spillstation.com.au

Polluter pays
09 Feb
Uncategorized

“Polluter Pays” to be Formally Adopted into Law

Ammendments made to the Environment Protection Act 2017 will come into force on 1 July 2021. The principle of “Polluter Pays” is one of the 11 principles of the Act. This means that regardless of fault, if your activity causes pollution, you are responsible for the cost of returning the damage area to its original state.

Failure to do so can result a remedial notice being issued. Remedial notices are issued if it is found that on reasonable grounds a duty holder:

  • isn’t complying with the Environment Protection Act 2017 (the Act).
  • waste or contamination is present that requires treatment.

If the polluter does not comply with the remedial notice, criminal enforcement may apply. These same amendments will see maximum fines increase to $3.2 million.

A guiding principle that applies not only to this situation but to all environment, health and safety issues is “An ounce on prevention is worth a pound of cure”. By assessing your risks, deploying the correct equipment to offset the risks and training staff in how to respond, the problems associated with the cost of remediation can be removed.

Until 28 February, Spill Station are offering a complimentary Spill Response Capability Audit & Report* to ensure you are ready to respond should a spill incident occur.

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