Important: Oil Pollution Risk

The Oil Storage and Delivery Checklist (DOCX, 87.1 KB) was updated on Kelsi in 2016. This update followed a small oil pollution incident at a Kent school, a further incident has been reported recently so the risk is real.

Please ensure you have a completed and up to date risk assessment using the checklist.

All schools who store heating oil have a legal obligation under the Prevention of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations to ensure that oil pollution risks are assessed; and suitable controls are identified and implemented.

This checklist will help you:

• Understand the risks this poses to people and the environment
• Understand if and when Prevention of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations applies
• Understand the steps needed to ensure compliance with regulations and reduce the risk of harm to the environment.

The checklist should be completed in addition to any relevant health and safety risk assessments to ensure you have the correct controls in place to prevent harm to people and health as well as the environment.

It is important that any small leaks or spills are addressed promptly, to avoid long term seepage into the environment through the soil or into drains and into water courses. This type of pollution can also result in prosecution. The longer it is left the more difficult and costly it is to remediate.

The simple steps identified through the checklist, can prevent these costs and potentially irreversible damage to the environment.

Your urgent attention to assessing these risks is appreciated.

If you require further advice please contact us at Kent.EcoSchools@kent.gov.uk