Australian Enviro Services (AES) have just completed a bulk storage decommissioning project in Adelaide, South Australia. The tanks were used for primary industry purposes (approximately 15,000, 25,000 & 30,000 litres capacity) and previously contained Class 6.1 chemicals – Chloropicrin and 1,3-Dichlorpropene.
Works commenced with communications between AES and both the SA Environment Protection Authority and SA Water to confirm the legislative compliance of the projects scope of works. Following this OH&S and QA/QC documentation (including Safe Work Method Statement, Emergency Plan and Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Management Plan etc.) were compiled for the project.
AES then established the site by placing bollards, barricades, warning tape and signage around the works area to prevent unauthorised access whilst works occurred. Once established, personnel working within the exclusion zone donned PPE (self-contained breathing apparatus, coverall, chemical resistant gloves and safety boots) and conducted safety checks prior to commencing works (refer to images below).
Decommissioning works commenced with the removal of product / sludge from within the tanks. This involved the removal of concentrated product from within the tanks and also the removal of wash water generated from the internal cleaning of the tanks using a 3D cleaning head. All liquid waste was captured onsite within 1,000 litre IBCs and disposed offsite to an appropriately licensed liquid waste disposal facility.
Once internally cleaned the tanks were removed from inside a storage shed and in order to vent. When the atmospheric levels inside the bulk storage levels were safe, the tanks were disposed offsite for destruction (refer to images below)
By completion of the works AES had disposed of ~6,000 litres of liquid waste and 3 x bulk storage tanks with zero injuries to site personnel, zero environmental incidents and no complaints from neighbours or the public.
Safely and professionally removing storage tanks is one of our specialities. As is the removal of asbestos in Sydney.
