Environmental contamination is a critical concern to address if your business produces waste oil. Waste oil can cause extensive damage to the workplace and the surrounding land. In simple terms, the used oil from your operations will flow into terrestrial and aquatic environments if released without caution. The oil will make the soil unsuitable for plant growth and unsafe for animals. Also, the oil will compromise underground water resources and cause the death of aquatic life. In addition, used oil often contains other contaminants like heavy metals and chemicals. These compounds can build up in the environment and might even find their way into the human food supply. These problems are severe, so the disposal of waste oil is monitored closely by the government. If you violate the established regulations, you might face serious legal charges. Therefore, use these simple tips to prevent waste oil contamination problems in your company.

Develop Handling Protocol

You should develop clear procedures for the handling of used oil from your operations. The lack of protocol often leads to careless storage of the fluid. Consequently, the risk of environmental contamination increases. When creating the procedure, outline the flow of the waste oil from the point of use to storage. Ensure that you have suitable storage containers to hold the fluid. These units should be compatible with oil to prevent adverse reactions. The employees or contractors handling waste oil must ensure that the material is placed into the storage containers. You can assign a single employee to oversee the process or educate all workers on the correct approach to storing oil. Make sure that the oil is not mixed with anything else. Also, choose a secure location for storage where the containers will be placed. Additionally, establish a plan for professional waste oil collection and disposal.

Use Warning Signage

The lack of labels can lead to accidents in your workplace. For instance, employees might open up a container containing waste oil, mistaking it for something else. Therefore, make sure that your storage containers have signs indicating waste oil or used oil. Additionally, the storage location for the oil must indicate authorised access only and should remain locked to prevent illicit entry.

Prepare for Spillage

Finally, prepare to mitigate the effects of waste oil spills in your workplace. Accidental spillages can occur while storing the material. For example, container damage will lead to leakage of the used oil. Prevent environmental contamination by having absorbent materials on hand to isolate and clean up the fluid immediately after an accident. 

For more information, contact a waste oil disposal service.

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