Are Scotland’s Industries Ready For New Oil Storage Regulations?

Challenges loom on the horizon for a wide number of Scottish businesses that house heavy machinery and vehicles as new Government regulations into oil storage come into force – reports Scotland’s leading tank manufacturer Blake Group.

Any business that hosts oil storage facilities for fuel and waste will be required by law to adhere to new regulations stating that all oil containment units must be bunded (double skinned), making current single skinned tanks illegal for use.

Following research by Scotland’s leading tank manufacturer Blake Group, the firm suggests that the majority of commercial and domestic oil containment units in use today will fail new safety regulations relating to oil storage.

The Water Environment (Oil Storage) (Scotland) Regulations (Act) 2006 states that any single walled non-domestic containment tank over 200 litres (this includes drums) and domestic containment tank over 2,500 litres will be illegal for use and should be replaced with a double walled (bunded) storage tank before the 1st April 2010.

Non-compliance to the new regulations is classified as a criminal offence and in the worst cases possibly resulting in up to a £40,000 fine or a six month jail sentence.

Blake Group’s Managing Director Ronnie Blake stated, “Scottish businesses are possibly leaving themselves vulnerable to prosecution should their storage tanks fail to comply with the new regulations.”

“Inspections must be made to ensure that these units are housed in appropriately bunded facilities or the storage unit itself be double skinned to catch any spillage, leakage or overflow to prevent pollution and contamination to the surrounding environment,” added Mr Blake.

The firm states that all industries that use oil will be affected by the new regulations in particular transportation, logistics, manufacturing, agriculture and construction where steel storage tanks are preferred to plastic tanks due to their resilience and reduced failure risks.

For a free consultation on the imminent changes to Water Environment (Oil Storage) (Scotland) Regulations (Act) 2006, contact Blake Group on 0800 328 2076.