Act Correctly in the event of an Oil Spill

WHAT IS DANGEROUS ABOUT OIL SPILLS?

The danger of an oil leak lies in the large-scale distribution of oil on surfaces and its insolubility in water. This is why bodies of water are particularly at risk because oil quickly spreads over large areas on wet surfaces. The oil forms a layer on the water's surface, which can soon lead to an oil slick because Just one drop of oil contaminates up to 1,000 liters of water. In everyday operations in a factory hall or on the factory premises, there is also an increased risk of slipping for people and vehicles on inclines and curves. For this reason, traces of oil must permanently be removed entirely until the floor is "dull." ### What could be the consequences of an oil spill? For moral reasons alone, every company should do everything possible to avoid environmental disasters. But there are also clear regulations regarding what is expected of companies in an emergency. These are set out in the Water Resources Act (WHG), the Environmental Damage Act (USchadG), and the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV). Failure to comply with these regulations can result in severe penalties. As the cause of, for example, oil pollution on bodies of water, the company must bear the costs of the corresponding remediation measures by Sections 89 and 90 of the WHG. If the required safety standards are not met during the provision, an insurance policy taken out can also be omitted.

What preventive measures need to be taken for oil spills?

Preparation is everything! To be able to act quickly and effectively in the event of an oil leak or an oil accident, a risk assessment must be carried out. It must be clarified where oil can escape during operation—for example, hydraulic oil in industrial trucks, systems, and machines or operating and auxiliary materials. In addition, it must be recorded how much fat can escape.

The next step in prevention is leakage management. That means Wherever there are potential danger points for an oil leak in the company, sufficient oil binding agents or an emergency set for oil should be provided. In the case of oil spills on or near bodies of water, leakage management and rapid action are required to avert an environmental impact. In our specialist article "Fighting oil spills on water," you can find out everything about emergency response to oil spills on water.

Further information on accident prevention and safety in the company can be found here.

What binds oil?

The more viscous a liquid is, the more complex and longer it takes to absorb into a binder. However, in the event of an oil leak or a significant oil accident, this hazardous substance must be contained as quickly as possible. For this reason, DENIOS has developed a DENSORB® binder, especially for oil. Thanks to Advanced Capillarity Technology, DENSORB® nonwoven absorbent pads can absorb oil up to 16 times their weight faster than conventional absorbent pads. It is also characterized by the fact that it only absorbs oil, but not a drop of water.

The DENSORB® range offers a large selection of oil binders for every application and every format that can be delivered immediately. Oil-binding fleeces are available as mats cut to size as required and as rolls for larger quantities. Some snakes contain oil spills, cushions with an exceptionally high absorption capacity, and granules in different grain sizes. Oil barriers and booms, oil curtains, oil skimmers, and oil cubes from DENSORB® are used to contain and remove oil films on water.