Prevent and control pollution incidents

This standard covers the activities required to prevent and control pollution incidents on site. Pollution could include oils, fuel, chemicals and diffuse pollution caused by treework operations.

Pollution prevention and control is a legal requirement and should be planned before work commences.

A variety of measures can be implemented to prevent pollution incidents from occurring and to control the impact of accidental incidents.

When working with equipment, machinery and chemicals you must be appropriately trained, and hold current certification where required, in line with the relevant legislation.

Your work must conform to all relevant legislation, codes of practice, industry standards and guidance, including the requirement to contact the water regulatory authorities regarding pollution incidents.

1. maintain the health and safety of yourself and others at all times, in accordance with the relevant legislation and codes of practice
2. assess the risks associated with the site and the type of pollution incidents that could occur
3. confirm that the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the work to be carried out, is worn at all times
4. identify the nature, extent and potential impact of pollution incidents
5. confirm that relevant training in the prevention and control of pollution incidents has been received and certification is in place to operate machinery where required
6. implement prevention measures in accordance with the type of pollution and the relevant information
7. monitor and maintain prevention measures to ensure their continued effectiveness and report any issues in accordance with organisational procedures
8. report pollution incidents to the relevant agencies in accordance with legal requirements and organisational procedures
9. select appropriate control measures in accordance with the assessed risks and the type of pollution incident
10. consider the environmental impact when selecting control measures
11. use appropriate methods to maintain effective communication with colleagues, other agencies and anyone else involved in, or affected by, the pollution incident, in accordance with industry guidance and organisational procedures
12. select, prepare, use, maintain and store the equipment and machinery used in pollution control safely, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and manufacturer's instructions
13. deal with the pollution incident using the most appropriate control measures, following the agreed pollution control procedures
14. handle hazardous substances in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and manufacturer’s instructions
15. note any changes to the scale or nature of the incident and report these changes to the designated person
16. confirm that the relevant legislative and organisational environmental requirements are met
17. dispose of used pollution control materials in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and organisational procedures
18. deal effectively with issues that arise, within the scope and limitations of your responsibility, and report issues that cannot be resolved in accordance with organisational procedures
19. complete and store records of the pollution incident in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and organisational procedures

1. how to identify hazards and assess risks associated with the site and the type of pollution incidents that could occur
2. relevant health and safety procedures and Safe Systems of Work (SSoW)
3. current legislation and codes of practice, industry standards and guidance, organisational policies, procedures and protocols, business and professional ethics that are relevant to your area of work, and to which you must adhere
4. the impact of fuels, oils, chemicals and diffuse pollution and the measures that can be taken to prevent pollution incidents
5. the penalties that could be incurred for causing pollution
6. the implications of terrain, ground conditions, vegetation type, season and weather on pollution incidents
7. who needs to be informed of a pollution incident and how this should be done
8. the chain of command and roles of personnel in a pollution incident
9. the measures that can be taken to control pollution incidents
10. the legal, industry and organisational requirements for training and certification to undertake the work activities required
11. why it is important to maintain effective communication with colleagues, other agencies and anyone else involved in, or affected by, the pollution incident and the methods of communication that should be used
12. the selection, use and care of personal protective equipment (PPE)
13. the equipment and machinery that can be used to help control pollution incidents
14. the requirements for handling hazardous substances in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and manufacturer’s instructions
15. the correct methods for disposing of pollution control materials
16. the importance of checking how well the pollution control measures have worked
17. the issues that can occur when controlling pollution incidents, the actions to take and the organisational procedures for reporting issues that cannot be resolved
18. the scope and limitations of your competence, responsibilities and accountability
19. the importance of completing records of the incident and the control measures taken, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and organisational procedures

Prevent and control the following types of pollutants:
• oils and fuels
• chemicals
• diffuse pollution

Diffuse pollution in treework includes: mud and silt, small amounts of spilt fuel, oil or other contaminants that are released into a natural watercourse

Information required to carry out work activities could include:
• drawings
• plans
• schedules
• specifications
• method statements
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• manufacturer’s instructions
• customer requirements
• quality assurance requirements
• industry standards (e.g. British Standards)
• verbal or written instructions
• industry guidance (e.g. FISA)

Organisational procedures refer to procedures set by the organisation you are employed by or the organisation that you are doing the work on behalf of (the client or customer)

Pollution prevention measures can include:
• buffer zones
• barrier ditches
• silt traps
• silt fences
• filter zones
• off-lets
• brash mats
• corduroy roads
• log bridges
• the correct storage of fuel, oil and chemicals
• designated refueling and maintenance areas
• regular inspection and maintenance of machinery to prevent leaks of oil and hydraulic fluid

Pollution control measures can include:
• barrier booms
• absorbent materials for surface-borne pollutants
• high pressure, low volume water sprays