Fuel Dispensing and Vehicle Maintenance
Oil drops, gasoline, antifreeze and other vehicle fluids are toxic to the environment. It is much easier to prevent them from entering the storm drain and possibly our drinking water supply than it is to remedy the after effects. With the number of vehicles traveling through campus on a daily basis, small spills and drips could add up to large problems.
Fueling
Structural precautions stop runoff from passing through the fueling areas and prevent contaminants from entering the storm water system. Curbs or berms and sloped pavement constructed around the perimeter of the fueling area are solutions. A cover over the fueling area also helps prevent runoff from washing away pollutants. Make sure that dispensing hoses are equipped with automatic shutoff valves and that these valves work. Minimize the impact of leaky temporary fuel tanks by keeping them in a bermed, paved area. Design the area to completely contain at least 110% of the tank's volume. Always verify that the vehicle fuel cap is in place when done fueling!
Fueling Procedures
Training workers in the proper fueling procedures and how to respond quickly to spills if they do happen reduces the possible damage from an accident. Post signs instructing fuel pump operators not to overfill gas tanks or leave them unattended while fueling. Make it standard practice to stop filling the fuel tank when the pump shuts off the first time, and avoid "topping off" fuel tanks. "Topping off" increases the chance of spills, especially on warm days when the gasoline in the tank will expand and has the potential of overflowing. Besides the risk of gasoline washing down the storm drain, the vapors contribute to air pollution. On warm days, fill tanks in the morning hours while it is still cool to help reduce air pollution. Make routine maintenance a part of the fueling procedure. Check for fluid leaks and immediately repair and clean up any leaks that are found.
Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance
Just as with fueling, precautions need to be taken to prevent contaminants like oil, gasoline and other vehicle fluids from entering the storm water system and polluting the Rouge River. Good housekeeping practices must be followed and employees trained as to the proper use, storage and disposal or recycling of materials. Clearly label waste barrels with their contents and instruct employees to use funnels when transferring liquids into them.
Fix Leaks
The sooner leaks are fixed, the lower the chance that fluids will wash into the storm system. This makes routine maintenance and inspections a must. Perform repairs only in designated areas and preferably indoors. Waste containers need to be stored in a secondary containment area to prevent spills from reaching the storm and sanitary sewers. If a leak is discovered "on the road", report it immediately to public safety at 593-5333.
If a Spill Occurs
For small spills, use an absorbent material that can be swept or picked up, such as absorbent pads and/or floor dry. The absorbent materials used to clean up the spilled material must be disposed of properly through EHSEM. Do not place them in the trash.
No matter how small the spill is, workers should immediately clean each and every one. Instruct them to never wash spilled materials down a storm drain or sanitary sewer.