Waste Management Field Guide

A guide to waste management operations during oil spill clean up

VERSION NUMBER: 1
DATE RELEASED: December 2011
For more information contact us at:
Disclaimer Copyright
This Field Guide has been developed as a The information, content, graphics, text,
SOUTHAMPTON guide for assistance with waste planning. It images, trade names and logos (the ‘Materials’)
Lower William Street is intended to act solely as a guide and the produced by Oil Spill Response Limited
Southampton advice given should only be incorporated (OSRL) and contained in this Field Guide are
SO14 5QE into company philosophy for oil spill response protected by copyright and other intellectual
United Kingdom operations alongside suitable training and property laws, under national laws and
Tel: +44(0)23 8033 1551 exercises to ensure safe and appropriate international treaties. OSRL retains the right,
Fax: +44(0)23 8033 1972 operations. Whilst every effort has been made title, interest and intellectual property rights
to provide accurate and complete information in and to the Material. With the exception of
Email: [email protected]
no responsibility can be accepted for loss or photocopying the forms contained in this
damage, howsoever caused, as a result of Field Guide for use on response operations
SINGAPORE actions taken based on the contents of this and exercises and unless authorised by OSRL,
Loyang Offshore Supply Base Field Guide. the materials contained in this Field Guide may
Loyang Cresent not be replicated, reprinted or distributed and
must be used solely for guidance, personal
Mail Box No 5105
information and non-commercial purposes.
Block 503 TOPS Avenue 3
Singapore 508988
Tel: +65 6266 1566
Fax: +65 6266 2312
Email: [email protected]
Foreword Contents
This short field guide is intended to be used by
Safety
anyone who is involved in oil spill clean up and
management of waste generated in such an Hazards and mitigations

incident. Key steps

Plan:
The aim of this document is to highlight waste Waste components
management issues associated with oil spill clean-
up operations. Included are the sources of waste, Preparation:
how waste should be collected, storage issues’ Waste storage facilities
options for disposal, and the safety considerations
Reduce:
for recovery of waste.
Waste minimisation strategies
Prevent secondary contamination
Prioritise waste conscious response strategies

Reuse:
Decontamination plan

Recycle:
Segregate waste

Dispose:
Transport waste
Waste components
Treat waste
Final disposal destinations of oily waste
Safety

If good operational procedures are followed These risks can be minimised by: Minimum PPE standards:
and correct Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) is worn,
aerial surveilance clean-up and disposal
checklist Conducting a comprehensive risk assessment Overalls
operations should pose minimum risk to process and implementing mitigation
Hard hat
health. However there are, as with other measures to reduce them where applicable.
such activities, potential risks to responders Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) or lifejacket
ommunicating the risks and mitigations
C
and crew. when working at sea
in place through a safety brief prior to any
operations being carried out. Safety glasses

Gloves
Gloves can present an entrapment
danger, wear if appropriate.
Ear defenders whilst machinery is running

 igh visibility clothing when operating in and

H
around waste storage and treatment sites
Steel toe cap boots
HAZARDS IMPACTS MITIGATION MEASURES
Unsecured load. Potential crush injuries Equipment to be secured to the vessel/vehicle properly and checked by the nominated
from unsecure loads. person In Command (IC) prior to vessel/vehicle departing site.
Loading and unloading vessels and vehicles. Potential crush injuries or Banksman to be used when visibility is restricted. High visibility vests to be worn
a fatality from unsecure around loading bays and waste storage sites. Ensure good communication with people
loads. operating around the load. Make sure that lifting equipment is available as appropriate.
Hydraulic hose failure. Potential injury to eyes Ensure that equipment deployed has an adequate maintenance schedule which has
and/or skin penetration of been adhered to.
hydraulic oil.
Manual handling. Potential for back injuries. Manual handling training should be given to anyone involved in the operations. Ensure
that weights are clearly marked on the packages.
Slips, trips and falls. Potential for minor The site should be secure to prevent untrained people accessing the waste storage site
injuries such as cuts, and harming themselves or others. Mandatory level of PPE to be worn. Ensure first aid
bruises or minor fractures. is available.
Road traffic and site traffic accidents. Potential for crush injuries Must ensure safe routes for vehicles in and out of sites and clear areas for collection of
or death. waste from primary storage. Wear high visibility vests.
Handling oiled waste. Potential for Dermatitis. Gloves can create danger with regard to grip, wear if appropriate, otherwise use a barrier
cream to prevent dermatitis.
Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Could cause nausea and Enforce a site entry protocol. Use gas monitoring devices.
potentially Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) from the oil being if H2S is present, death in
recovered. extreme cases.

Whilst this table lists some of the common hazards that are likely to be present, a full site specific risk assessment should always be conducted prior to
operations commencing.
Key Steps

1 ! 2 3 4 5 6
Plan Spill Preparation Reduce Reuse Recycle Dispose
Plan
Planning Considerations Priorities for Waste Management
It is essential to develop a waste plan prior to an incident occuring. The waste hierarchy can be used to reduce the total amount of waste generated
A plan will: and therefore the environmental and economic impacts of waste storage and
disposal.
Prevent a hurried decision Ensure treatment processes are
being made. identified and approved.
Eliminate Waste
E nsure transport/reception E nsure that an appropriate and
facilities are in place and effective waste stream is identified.
approved.
Reduce Waste

Waste Stream
Handling and Handling and Recycle Waste
Generate Waste Transport Store Waste Transport
Final Disposal

Considerations

• Types • Availability • Availability

Treat Waste
• Volumes • Location • Location
• Rate of generation • Capacity • Capacity
• Minimisation • Legislative controls
• Segregation Dispose of
Waste

Laws and Regulations

Plan: Waste Components
Waste will be generated by multiple of sources throughout a response.

• Water will mix with oil and can produce a • Dead wildlife will introduce a solid waste
stable emulsion, potentially increasing the and may create a health hazard.
volume of oil by up to 80%. • Wildlife should be segregated and given to
• Water and detergent agents will also be the relevant authorities for analysis (post
used in the decontamination of personnel mortem) and disposal.
and equipment. WA
TER L IFE
ILD
W
AD

DE
• Sediments will mix with the oil. This
• PPE will become oiled and be added ENTS (SILT,
SAND, sediment/oil material has the potential
P PE SEDIM IL)
to the solid waste stream. PEBBLES, SO to sink to the seabed, it is very difficult to
OIL recover sunken material.
• The material may also form tar balls which
can continue to be washed up on beaches
SEA WATER during inclement weather for many years.

DE
BR
S

IS
CT
EA

(S
DU
W
RO EE
• Sorbent materials can vastly add to the LP D,
JE
SPIL TS
volume of waste if utilised excessively. OIL AM • Natural debris will mix with the oil making
)
• Empty drums and containers from it difficult to recover with skimming
dispersant will have to be disposed of. systems. The debris will have to be
extracted from the oil prior to re-refining.

WASTE

• Waste is produced from any

cleanup operation.
Preparation: Waste Storage Facilities
As the storage of waste is imperative at each stage of the response, facilities should be identified during the preparation.

Waste storage can be managed effectively by Waste sites should:

ensuring that:
Be fenced off and access to the site controlled.
Local, regional and national legal S torage containers should:
regulations are met. Have good access and egress.
Be suitable for the waste type.
 ave suitable site set up to ensure that waste
H
Contingency plans are checked for
is separated and secondary contamination is B
 e water-tight and lined with polyethylene
pre-identified sites. minimised. sheeting to prevent oil leaching.

Have useful and appropriate signage to reflect Waste should be labelled with type and source
the site set up. of waste.

Temporary storage sites are often required in a response, as oil spills may occur in isolated or
remote locations creating difficulties in the direct disposal or treatment of oil.
Temporary storage sites will:

Act as a buffer between worksite and storage process streams preventing delays.
Provide emergency storage and allow sufficient time to organise final dispoal sites or
methods whilst the response effort continues.
Assist in waste segregation as a site for sorting, labelling and quantifying waste.
Allow for pre-treatment before final disposal, reducing volumes needed to be
transported.
PRIMARY STORAGE INTERMEDIATE STORAGE FINAL STORAGE Intermediate storage sites are an important link in the waste disposal stream acting as a buffer between
TYPES OF
STORAGE

Watertight plastic bags, Covered containers and Large volume storage plus
buckets, bins, skips, tanks tanks, artificially formed dedicated unpacking, sorting temporary storage and treatment facilities and as a management facility for sorting, repackaging and
and pits. depressions and trenches and pre-treatment areas.
and disused pits. tracking waste. However intermediate storage should not be used for long periods, and a final storage
site should be pre-selected in contingency plans and set-up if required.
Reduce: Waste Minimisation Strategies
To reduce the amount of waste entering the waste stream and final disposal, the following should be prioritised:

STRATEGY IMPACT
Identify potential impact sites and pre-clean by Cleaning site before impact reduces the amount of waste that may come into
clearing site of seaweed, debris and rubbish. contact with the oil.
OPERATIONS

Prioritise manual recovery as a clean-up option. Manual recovery generates additional waste.
PRIOR TO

Choose clean-up techniques that separate the Reduces the amount of sediment included in the waste.
pollutant from sediment.
Informing personnel of site protocol and correct PPE usage can prevent unnecessary
Raise staff awareness and provide training. wastage.

Contain and recover pollution as close to the source Minimises impacted area and recovers waste with the highest concentration of
as possbile. pollutant.
DURING CLEAN-UP

Handle waste in-situ. Minimises possibility of secondary contamination and reduces the amount of waste
OPERATIONS

that needs to be transported and treated.

Minimise the use of sorbents.
Reduces the amount of waste discarded after use.
Cover containment sites and storage
containers. Prevents additional rain water adding to the volume of waste which may cause an
overflow of oily waste.
Clean and reuse PPE and recovery equipment.
Reduces the amount of equipment discarded after use.
Reduce: Prevent Secondary Contamination
Secondary contamination is the spread of oil via transport, people and equipment to otherwise unpolluted areas. It can be avoided by:

Regularly checking pumps and hose Lining and decontaminating all vehicles Locating waste storage sites close to
connections for leaks. intended for waste transportation before recovery equipment.
leaving the site.
Ensuring all storage is water-proof and oil- Establishing a suitable site setup which
proof to prevent leakage. E stablishing a traffic circulation plan for includes a decontamination zone.
vehicles.

LOW WATER
Hot zone
Dirty/work area: all oil stays in this zone.
OIL ASHORE ON
SAND
HIGH WATER
Warm zone
LINED STORAGE
PIT Clean down area: there is one entrance/exit channel.
Anyone leaving must pass through an organised series of
DECONTAMINATION

EQUIPMENT decontamination phases in the ‘warm zone’.

ZONE

LAYDOWN OILED WASTE

AREA STORAGE
SKIPS
Cold zone
TOILET/WASHROOM
CHECKPOINT Waste removal vehicles can collect full containers from this clean
area so that they do not spread oil onto the roads.
COMMUNICATION
CENTRE/ FIRST
AID /COMMAND REFRESHMENT AREA
POST SITE
SECURITY ENTRANCE
Reduce: Prioritise Waste Conscious Response Strategies
The type and quantity of waste generated is dependent on the method of clean-up and equipment used.

STRATEGY WASTE COLLECTED WASTE GENERATED

Natural Recovery None None

OFFSHORE RESPONSE STRATEGIES

Containment and Recovery Oil and oiled emulsion Containment booms and skimmer equipment
Contaminated water PPE
Contaminated flotsam Contaminated vessels

Dispersants None PPE

Storage containers

In-Situ Burning Burnt residue Containment fireboom

PPE
Contaminated vessels

Sediment Relocation None Equipment (spades, bags, sheeting) used in relocation

SHORELINE AND INLAND RESPONSE STRATEGIES

PPE

Manual Recovery Oil and oiled sediment Equipment (spades, buckets) used in recovery
Oiled debris and vegetation PPE

Absorbents Oil Sorbents

PPE

Mechanical Recovery Oil and oiled sediment Equipment (skimmers, pumps, scrapers and graders)
PPE

Flushing Remobilised oil Sorbent and/or containment booms

PPE

For more information on responsible shoreline clean-up strategies, see ‘Shoreline Operations Field Guide’.
Reuse: Decontamination Zone
To reuse equipment and PPE during a response, it is important to set up a ‘decontamination zone’ where personnel and equipment can be
cleaned.

The decontamination zone is located in the ‘warm zone’ between the Decontamination of personnel after each work session and during breaks
worksite ‘hot zone’ and the ‘cool zone’ clean areas. can minimise secondary contamination.

The decontamination zone is a buffer zone that acts as a barrier to prevent A separate decontamination area can be set up at an accessible location for
secondary contamination. vehicles and heavy machinery.

Decontamination Zone Set-Up

1. Set up the decontamination zone close to the response area.

2. Organise decontamination in stages:
HOT ZONE
Watertight tanks can be set up in succession to allow for rough to intermediate
TANKS cleaning.
Intermediate cleaning can be conducted with a medium pressure washer using
warm water.
WORKSITE ENTRANCE

WASTE SKIPS
EQUIPMENT Sorbents can then be used as a final wipe clean.
TANK
3. Ensure there is a protective layer of plastic sheeting or matting to prevent oil from
PPE FOR penetrating into the subsoil.
DISPOSAL
4. Cordon off the decontamination zone with warning tape and stakes.
5. Ensure the zone is labelled with directions for appropriate waste segregation and disposal.
PPE FOR
DECONTAMINATION WARM ZONE
Avoid using solvents such as white spirit or gasoline to clean PPE or skin.

COLD ZONE
Reuse: Segregate Waste
Waste should be classified, segregated and labelled. Waste should be put into separate
storage sites dependent upon type.

Oil must be separated from soil, sand, seaweed, plastics and sorbents.

Awareness training and monitoring are required.

Failing to segregate waste or incorrectly segregating can rapidly increase the waste
volume and financial implications.

Liquid OILY
Additional segregation is required before reaching its final
disposal site.
NON-OILY
Use a municipal plant or other approval method to process the
waste.

Solid OILY
Waste should be transported to central waste processing
centres.
Additional segregation is required before reaching its final
disposal site.
NON-OILY
Waste to be transported to local landfill sites for disposal.

Special Wastes HAZARDOUS

Continue to segregate waste and adhere to regulations for
waste management.
NON-HAZARDOUS
Keep waste stream separate until disposal.
Dispose: Transport Waste
Initial transportation will involve small vehicles such as dump-trucks, front-end loaders or, in inaccessible areas, landing craft or helicopters.

Subsequent transportation to intermediate or final disposal sites would be suitably served by tankers for liquid waste and sealed trucks for
solid waste.

Approved waste contractors may be identified in the Contingency Plan.

When transporting waste the following precautions must be taken to ensure that no oil is leaching out of the trucks:

Trucks have a covered and sealed top. Trucks are decontaminated before leaving The shipment for transporting
the site. contaminated wastes meets
requirements/regulations.
Dispose: Waste Components

Recovered Liquid Waste Oiled Sediment

Oil with a low water and debris content Cleaning of oiled sediment should
can be sent for reprocessing. Heavily occur as close to the source of waste
contaminated liquid/semi-solid waste as possible. In-situ techniques such
will need to be separated into the as beach washing are the most
various components of oil, water and effective option, but may result in the
sediment. This can be done through remobilisation of oil. It is therefore
both physical and chemical separation necessary to collect the oil from the sea
processes. surface which may generate new types
Sediment and water may need of waste.
further treatment before release.

Waste Treatment Process Gravity separation Waste Treatment Process Sand cleaning
Emulsion breaking Beach washing
Reprocessing Bioremediation

Suitable Transport Suitable Transport

Likely final disposal Refinery Likely final disposal Landfill

destination destination Road building
Dispose: Waste Components

Oiled PPE Oiled Debris

If possible, oiled PPE should be There are limited methods of treating
cleaned and reused to minimise waste oiled debris. To limit the amount of
generated and costs incured. Some PPE, oiled debris the response generates:
such as rubber over boots, are easy to
clean and can be reused. PPE which is Pre-clean beaches
non-resuable or heavily worn should be Ensure appropriate waste
disposed of appropriately. segregation is adhered to.

There should be control at

decontamination stations to
ensure that PPE is not being
disposed of unnecessarily.

Waste Treatment Process Cleaning Waste Treatment Process Refer to landfill

Suitable Transport Suitable Transport

PPE ONLY

Likely final disposal Incinerator Likely final disposal Incinerator

destination Landfill destination Landfill
Dispose: Treatment of Recovered Liquid Waste

GRAVITY SEPARATION EMULSION BREAKING RE-PROCESSING

Allowing the oily water to be stored for a time Waste emulsion can be broken down into Oil is re-processed through an oil refinery or
will permit gravity separation of the oil, debris its constitute parts of oil and water using a recycling plant. The resulting oil will be of a
and water reducing contaminated waste specialised emulsion breaking chemical. much lower quality than when it was originally
quantities going to final disposal. refined. However, it can be still be used for road
Oil can subsequently be sent for refining. building and other similar activities.
The oil/water residue from separation
should meet local, or national Any chemicals applied to the emulsion Oil with a high salt content may corrode
discharge standards for release into the will remain in the water which has been refinery pipe work.
environment. separated. This water will have to be
appropriately disposed. Oil or oil and water only, no debris is
accepted.
Dispose: Treatment of Oiled Sediment
SAND CLEANING BEACH WASHING BIOREMEDIATION
Sand and oil can be separated using specialist Beach washing involves the cleaning of Bioremediation is the addition of microbes to
mechanical sand cleaners which sieve the pebbles and cobbles in-situ/at a treatment oily waste to break down contaminants. This
contaminated sand. site. Lightly oiled cobbles and pebbles can can occur either in situ (at the recovery site) or
be moved to the surf zone to be cleaned ex situ, where the oil waste is removed to be
This technique can prove effective naturally with the remobilised oil collected in treated elsewhere. Land farming is an example
however Net Environmental Benefit containment booms. of bioremediation: microorganisms are added
Analysis (NEBA) should be considered to to the soil to break down the contaminants
ensure that the beach is not further  It is not always easy to identify when and reduce the oil loading in the soil.
damaged by over cleaning or sterilisation. materials are oil free, therefore this
Specialised equipment is also avaliable technique should only be considered It produces an inert substance which can
which washes the sand. Solvents may be when there is a large quantity of oil be disposed of at landfill if oil loading is
used to assist this process. present. within permitted levels.
This technique produces large quantities This technique produces large quantities This process should be carried out in a
of oily water waste which will require of oily water waste that will require treating, controlled environment.
further costly treatment. which is costly and time consuming.
Dispose: Final Disposal Destinations of Oily Waste

INCINERATION LANDFILL ROAD BUILDING

Disposal by incineration can occur through As a rule if waste contains approximately 5% oil, Treated waste may be used for road fill and/
various methods, though, dependent on it is able to be disposed of with general waste, or in construction. The material must have
location, permanent incinerators may not however, local and national regulations must geotechnical properties that are suited to their
be available. Waste may be incinerated in always be adhered to. use e.g. a limited risk of liquefaction in case of
specialised facilities used for industrial and seismic stress or in presence of vibrations.
domestic waste, then co-incinerated in cement In the UK, waste must contain no more The sediment must also comply with
works or lime kilns. Waste can also be incinerated than 0.1% oil to be disposed of as general the relevant regulations regarding these
on site, using smalller portable incinerators. waste and no more than 20% to be materials though a special authorisation
disposed of as hazardous waste. or dispensation may be issued.
Before use, it is important that the
Regulators are consulted to ensure
that they do not infringe any local or
national regulations.
 Metric
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140

Other Titles in the Field Guide Series

Aerial Surveillance Field Guide

Containment and Recovery Field Guide
Dispersant Application Field Guide
Dispersant Application Monitoring Tier I Field Guide
Dispersant Application Monitoring Tier II & III Field Guide
Incident Management Handbook
Offshore In-Situ Burn Operations Field Guide
Oil Spill Response Field Guide
Shoreline Operations Field Guide
Vessel Dispersant Application Field Guide

Inches 1 2 3 4 5