Oil spill treatment equipment
Updated 29 April 2015
© Crown copyright 2015
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-use-oil-spill-treatment-products-and-equipment/oil-spill-treatment-equipment
1. Mechanical recovery
Mechanical recovery removes oil from the marine environment and should always be considered as a first option. It may only be successful in relatively calm conditions, and for small quantities or certain types of oil. It also requires suitable vessels to collect the oil and arrangements to be made for its proper disposal.
2. Booms, skimmers and sorbent mats or pads
Booms are barriers which sit on the surface of the water and block the movement of floating pollution.
Skimmers separate liquids or matter from the surface of a water body.
Sorbent mats or pads are bags containing absorbent products, usually in the form of granules or beads. The bags are porous and allow water and pollution in, without allowing the product to escape.
3. Protective clothing
You should make sure that the skin, eyes and respiratory tract of users are protected in line with the manufacturer’s or supplier’s instructions and with health and safety requirements.
Operators should be provided with personal protective equipment like:
- full cover impervious plastic overalls that don’t allow any material to pass through
- impervious gloves
- eye protection, and if necessary, face protection suitable for chemical exposures
- chemical-resistant safety footwear