Exol tests readiness with spillage exercise

Exol Lubricants has successfully facilitated an exercise simulating the response to a hydrocarbon spill incident at its bulk blending site in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

Held on 21 September, the Oil Spill Incident Management Exercise was set in real time at Stevenson Wharf, Rotherham, and was designed to exercise the emergency response procedures and contingency plans in place for Canal and River Trust (CRT) North East.

The scenario was also designed to test current arrangements and contingency measures for a level tier 2 response accredited by Adler and Allan. Organisations invited to take part were: Adler & Allan Lt Marine Response team, Canal & River Trust North East, Mainmast tanker operation, MCA, Natural England, Environment Agency, MMO and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.

The scenario consisted of a crew report of a failed hose coupling on a tanker and an estimated 3 tonnes of lubricating oil entering the canal system, with a strong westerly breeze slowly moving the oil slick towards Rotherham Lock.

The exercise objectives achieved included setting up a joint Oil Spill Management Team in the Incident Command Centre (ICC); testing the operational interface between CRT, A&A and Category One Responders; considering arrangements for disposal of recovered oil and oily waste and, testing the operation of the ICC.

Stuart McKenzie, of the Canal & River Trust said: “We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the exercise, and also to report that following the exercise, our Oil Pollution Plan has now received MCA compliance and approval.

“We are grateful to Exol Lubricants’ support in the event who have developed a very speedy and effective means of booming the canal in the event of a spill. The exercise provided a good opportunity to deploy the boom and demonstrate its efficiency to our tier 2 responder and local staff.”

In 2016, Exol launched “Exol Pride” on the North East Waterways, which transports raw materials from Hull to its bulk blending plant in Rotherham. The company is a champion of this ‘greener’ method with its transportation of large loads. It has also been commended for its reduction in carbon footprint.

Steve Dunn, Exol Lubricants sales director, said: “We are delighted to have played an active role in testing the readiness of our business in the event of an incident. These exercises not only enhance our abilities and improve the procedures in place but also play a vital role in helping other businesses.”

Where road travel is essential, Exol maintains one of the most economical fleets on UK roads, comprising a mix of dual-purpose vehicles and large tanker trucks to transport both bulk and packaged Exol products to customers across a variety of sectors including agricultural, automotive, industrial, marine and rail.

Both Exol’s bulk blending plant in Rotherham, South Yorkshire and Head Office in Wednesbury, West Midlands are ISO-14001 accredited having successfully implemented an effective ‘Integrated Management System’, which focuses on reducing, reusing and recycling waste, as well as using energy efficiently.

The Exol Pride