Deal with a pollution incident

This standard covers dealing with a pollution incident and restoring the environment to acceptable conditions. It applies to both water and land-based environments where pollution has occurred.

You must be able to recognise and deal with hazards associated with various pollutants and take the required measures to minimise the impact. This may involve informing and working alongside other organisations.

Your work to restore polluted environments must be carried out in a way that minimises any adverse environmental impact. The use of equipment, materials and substances for cleaning up the environment must take into account wider environmental considerations.

This standard is for employees or volunteers who are involved in restoring polluted environments to acceptable conditions.

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1. assess the risks associated with the pollution incident
2. wear suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), in accordance with manufacturers' instructions, the type of incident and the requirements of your organisation
3. select, prepare and use the tools, equipment and materials required safely and effectively to deal with the pollution incident
4. implement working methods to deal with the pollution incident, in accordance with instructions
5. use relevant materials and substances to deal with the pollution incident, in accordance with instructions and the relevant legislation
6. work to restore the polluted environment and protect the surrounding environment, in accordance with instructions and the needs of the site
7. take account of weather and ground conditions and the potential impact these conditions may have on the incident
8. carry out all work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and the policies of your organisation
9. maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in, or affected by, your work
10. take relevant measures to protect and maintain the safety of the public from the pollution incident
11. complete work to restore the polluted environment to the required standard, and report any issues to the relevant person in accordance with the procedures of your organisation
12. take action when restoration operations are not working
13. clean the equipment used to remove pollutants and cleaning substances correctly, according to the type of pollution incident, manufacturers' instructions and the policies of your organisation
14. dispose of waste materials and substances used to deal with the pollution incident safely and correctly in accordance with instructions, the relevant legislation and the nature of the incident
15. complete records as required by the relevant legislation and your organisation

1. how to identify hazards and assess risks
2. the types of hazards that are associated with different pollutants
3. the types of pollution incidents and the methods and precautions used when dealing with them
4. where to obtain instructions for dealing with the pollution incident
5. the correct selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the dealing with the pollution incident
6. how to select, prepare and use tools, equipment and materials appropriate for dealing with the pollution incident
7. the correct methods for the deployment of materials and equipment to deal with the pollution incident
8. the correct methods for protecting the surrounding environment
9. the conservation, recreational and economic uses of the site and how these relate to your work activities
10. how weather and ground conditions impact on the pollution incident
11. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and the policies of your organisation
12. the importance of maintaining communication with colleagues and others involved in, or affected by, your work
13. the indications that the restoration operations are not working and the action to take
14. the relevant legal requirements and the procedures of your organisation for communicating and reporting information on the pollution incident
15. the correct methods for cleaning the equipment used to remove pollutants and substances
16. the relevant legal requirements and procedures of your organisation for the disposal of waste materials and substances used to deal with a pollution incident
17. the legal requirements and those of your organisation for the completion and storage of records

Instructions:

• method statements
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• manufacturers' guidelines
• legal requirements
• good practice guidelines
• customer requirements
• standard of outcome required
• verbal instructions

Pollutants can include: silt, dead animals and chemical pollution including effluent, agricultural and other run-off, pesticides, detergents, oil, etc.